Congratulations to the Mildred Ball Award Winner: Mike Smith
Mike Smith got a late start as an official, but he moved up the ranks quickly and four times reached the pinnacle of the high school game, calling the IHSAA girls basketball state finals in 1991, 1993 and 1995 and calling the IHSAA boys basketball state championship game in 1995.
Beginning his officiating career at the age of 40, Smith earned respect from coaches and players by working both boys basketball and girls basketball for more than a decade.
During his time on court, he worked 13 girls basketball sectionals, 10 girls basketball regionals, five girls basketball semistates as well as 10 boys basketball sectionals, six boys basketball regionals and three boys basketball semistates.
Smith also worked four times in the Hall of Fame Classic –- the girls’ Classic in 1989, 1991 and 1993, and the boys’ Classic in 1992.
Over the years, Smith called numbers holiday and county tournaments, served as a vice president of the Indiana Officials Association and was recognized as an honorary member of the Mid-Hoosier Officials Association. He also served as an IHSAA observer for six years as well as a clinician and mentor for his final four years as an official.
Smith was presented the IHSAA/NFIOA Outstanding Officials Award in 1998. He also was honored by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 with its Center Circle Officials Award.
Smith served in the U.S. Navy from 1960-62 before a career as an Indiana State trooper from 1964-1990. He retired from that position and went to work for Carmel Clay Schools for 15 years as the district’s assistant supervisor of transportation.
These days, Smith works part time as a bailiff in Hancock Superior Court #1, serves as a substitute teacher at Morristown Junior-Senior High and plays a lot of golf.
