Help Lay a Community Leader to Rest
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Bruce David Smith - Skip
1947 - 2019
He has been a College Professor, A Radio Host, A Column Writer, & Social Worker, & Owner/Operator of The Hammond Shamrocks for 20+ years to name a few.
Skip has made a Monumental Impact on SO MANY lives here in Northwest Indiana. In the 70's Skip donated half of the funds needed to keep open a shelter for runaway boys with a long time friend of his by the name of Father Michael Campagna. Which later became Hoosier Boys Town & now Campagna Academy.
For those who know him as Coach Skip -
It never ceased to amaze me how well Skip remembered each and every player that he mentored. There were many years when we could not leave the house without running into someone that Skip coached. Some of you have gone on to retire yourselves already but you are Firefighters, Doctors, Police, EMT's, even a Mayor or two & so many others. I have been blessed throughout my life to watch so many of you tell your stories and to see how much you hang on to those Shamrock Memories. Below are a couple posts that were shared online:
"SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS BE PLAYING FOR THE HAMMOND SHAMROCKS. I NEVER WILL FORGET OUR MEAN COACHES YELLING AND SCREAMING AT US, MAKING US DO A MILLION PUSH UPS AND SIT UPS AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR AT OUR BANQUETS CRYING LIKE LITTLE BABIES CUZ THEY CARED SO MUCH ABOUT US....THAT IS THE GREATEST MEMORY I CARRY ON WITH MY KIDS AT HOME AND THE POP WARNER LEAGUE IVE COACHED FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. THANKS TO ALL MY COACHES AND FRIENDS FOR LIFE.......ERIC H."
"The values, perseverance, and team work of Shamrock Football are what still drive me in my present job" - Kevin E
"Without a doubt... This team changed my Life" - Dave F.
"Some of my BEST times growing up!!!" - Mark S.
"Once a Shamrock, Always a Shamrock" - Mike W.
"It's a nice September Sunday, the sun is shining, football is on, reminds me of my times as a Shamrock. Playing at Edison school, walking to Dairy Belle, White Hen, the concession stand or even better if Mrs. Santos had a cooler of tacos...good times."
- 1 of the Hammond Shamrock Facebook groups
I too am one of the many people Skip has made an impact on. He took me in as a youth mentored me and helped me grow into the man I am today. I even came to stay at Campagna Academy for a while. I am 1 of 1000's of you out there. Hopefully this reaches you in time & if not then I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane & I am glad that Skip could make yet another impact in this world.
This post will be updated with memorial service times/dates & obituary as soon as it becomes available.
From our family to yours Thank You in advance.
You can contact me through GoFundMe if you have any questions.
1947 - 2019
He has been a College Professor, A Radio Host, A Column Writer, & Social Worker, & Owner/Operator of The Hammond Shamrocks for 20+ years to name a few.
Skip has made a Monumental Impact on SO MANY lives here in Northwest Indiana. In the 70's Skip donated half of the funds needed to keep open a shelter for runaway boys with a long time friend of his by the name of Father Michael Campagna. Which later became Hoosier Boys Town & now Campagna Academy.
For those who know him as Coach Skip -
It never ceased to amaze me how well Skip remembered each and every player that he mentored. There were many years when we could not leave the house without running into someone that Skip coached. Some of you have gone on to retire yourselves already but you are Firefighters, Doctors, Police, EMT's, even a Mayor or two & so many others. I have been blessed throughout my life to watch so many of you tell your stories and to see how much you hang on to those Shamrock Memories. Below are a couple posts that were shared online:
"SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS BE PLAYING FOR THE HAMMOND SHAMROCKS. I NEVER WILL FORGET OUR MEAN COACHES YELLING AND SCREAMING AT US, MAKING US DO A MILLION PUSH UPS AND SIT UPS AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR AT OUR BANQUETS CRYING LIKE LITTLE BABIES CUZ THEY CARED SO MUCH ABOUT US....THAT IS THE GREATEST MEMORY I CARRY ON WITH MY KIDS AT HOME AND THE POP WARNER LEAGUE IVE COACHED FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. THANKS TO ALL MY COACHES AND FRIENDS FOR LIFE.......ERIC H."
"The values, perseverance, and team work of Shamrock Football are what still drive me in my present job" - Kevin E
"Without a doubt... This team changed my Life" - Dave F.
"Some of my BEST times growing up!!!" - Mark S.
"Once a Shamrock, Always a Shamrock" - Mike W.
"It's a nice September Sunday, the sun is shining, football is on, reminds me of my times as a Shamrock. Playing at Edison school, walking to Dairy Belle, White Hen, the concession stand or even better if Mrs. Santos had a cooler of tacos...good times."
- 1 of the Hammond Shamrock Facebook groups
I too am one of the many people Skip has made an impact on. He took me in as a youth mentored me and helped me grow into the man I am today. I even came to stay at Campagna Academy for a while. I am 1 of 1000's of you out there. Hopefully this reaches you in time & if not then I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane & I am glad that Skip could make yet another impact in this world.
This post will be updated with memorial service times/dates & obituary as soon as it becomes available.
From our family to yours Thank You in advance.
You can contact me through GoFundMe if you have any questions.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shawn Long Sr
Organizer
Hammond, IN
Ashley Nichols
Beneficiary
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