By Dave DeLand

Jim Smith had barely begun addressing the crowd of family, friends and basketball players gathered Saturday night inside Guild Hall when his wife Adrienne stood up and walked toward the stage.

Armed with 61 years of marital perspective, she placed a timer on the podium in front of her bemused husband.

Thirty minutes later, the timer rang when Smith was in mid-sentence.

"I'll rewind it," he said, not missing a beat.

There are lots of things about Smith's rich life and storied coaching career at Saint John's University that he'd love to rewind.

Saturday night – the Jim Smith Legacy Event marking his induction as a charter member of the Saint John's Athletic Hall of Honor – now has a prominent place on that list.

"It's been a great run," said Smith, who retired as the Johnnies' head basketball coach in 2015 after 51 seasons and a Minnesota collegiate record 786 victories. "There is a spirit here that you really don't experience in too many places."

"Saint John's values honor more than it does fame," said J-Club President Vic Moore '72 (below). "Jim is the epitome of honor."

"I loved my time here, and I loved Saint John's," Smith added. "We found a home."

Smith's basketball players, meanwhile, found a coach, mentor and friend who built a program and changed lives.

"You've been a father figure, a mentor and a role model for so many Johnnies," said Tom Arth '66, student manager and trainer on Smith's first basketball team. (Smith also coached track, cross country and golf and served as athletic director).

"He never belittled you. He never dressed you down. He never made you his example or whipping boy," said Pat McKenzie '04, who played for Smith, was his assistant coach for nine seasons and succeeded him as SJU's head basketball coach. "That certainly is something I've tried to emulate."

Twenty-eight family members were among the 275 people who turned out for an evening filled with stories, fond memories and examples of Smith's modesty and sense of humor.

"He was really worried no one would come – honest to God," said SJU athletic director Bob Alpers '82, who also played basketball for Smith and was his assistant coach for 20 years.

"I really don't deserve this award," Smith said. "But I didn't deserve to have colon cancer in 2003, either."

The testimonials came from master of ceremonies Tim McNamara '77 and a parade of speakers ranging from referees to sportswriters to long-time St. Thomas coaching rival Steve Fritz.

"Smitty, I want to thank you for everything," Fritz (left) said. "What a great mentor I've had – role model, competitor and especially a good friend."

Smith sat taking notes alongside the podium, awash in memories:

* From the smell of the wooden Rat Hall floor, to the noise during Johnnie-Tommie games ("This gym actually made me lose my hearing," Smith said);
* From 16 international team trips, to countless Minnesota road trips and box lunches on the bus;
* From chasing referees while in a wheelchair after breaking his leg, to the unwavering support of his family.

"We just thank you," said daughter Bridget, "for being the dad that you are."

Building on that legacy is the goal of the Jim Smith Endowed Basketball Leadership Program Fund, designed to enhance and strengthen the program.

"The leadership that he exemplified and taught us through teamwork, commitment and aspiring to excellence was the model that I took from Jim," said Dan Smith '79, a fund leadership volunteer team member and also a member of SJU's championship 1978-79 team.

"When you think about role models and the way you want to be as a man, you're our role model," Alpers added. "Quite honestly, you're the best guy I know."

Characteristically, Smith deferred to the team.

"The program is in good hands, believe me," Smith said of McKenzie. "I'm so thankful that you are coaching our Johnnie team and carrying on the tradition."

Team. Tradition.

Those are things Jim Smith could go on about that forever – if not for that timer.