Lapeer Community Schools is proud to announce the naming of the new weight room at Lapeer High School the Michael L. Smith Performance Center AKA "The Smitty."
The weight room, which was funded in part by the 2022 bond passage, Lapeer Athletic Boosters, Lapeer Athletic Department and other fundraisers, opened earlier this month to Lapeer athletes.
“My family and I are overwhelmed, honored and grateful,” said Smith. “I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach, to lead and develop athletes and teams. In 1985, I was introduced to coaching by Jeff Putnam (football) and Tim Bradley (baseball), both outstanding mentors and Hall of Fame coaches in their respective sports. I have been so fortunate to have had the commitment and support by the players, coaches, staff and school district. The building of the performance center will provide athletes and teams of all sports the opportunity to compete and be their best.”
Smith coached the Lapeer football program for 26 years, retiring after the 2023 season as the winningest coach in program history. He also served as dean of students at LHS through the 2023-24 school year.
"When we started to talk about dedicating and naming our new weight room, we wanted to put a name with it that was and is synonymous with Lapeer Athletics and the entire Lapeer community," said LCS Athletic Director Shad Spilski. "One name kept coming up, and that was Mike Smith. It was an easy decision to name the weight room after someone who gave so much time and energy to our student-athletes over the years. We are proud to dedicate the weight room to 'Smitty' and look forward to our student-athletes utilizing the facility for years to come."
“This is a very special day for Lapeer Community Schools,” added LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie. “We were so fortunate to have had Coach Smith for so many years and now, his legacy will live on within the walls of our fantastic, state-of-the-art weight room. No one has ever been as passionate about everything Lapeer as 'Smitty' was and continues to be, and we are excited to see the next generation of our Lightning student-athletes get to work."
Smith took over the reins of the Lapeer High School football program after the merger of Lapeer East and Lapeer West high schools in 2014. During his time as the head coach of Lapeer High School, the 1980 West graduate compiled a stellar 75-27 record and was also inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023.
A weight room dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for a future date.