H.C.R. No. 161
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The many friends and relatives of M. A. "Catfish"
1-2 Smith were deeply saddened by the passing of this legendary sports
1-3 figure on November 27, 1994; and
1-4 WHEREAS, While attending East Texas State University in the
1-5 1930s, this gifted individual demonstrated exceptional athletic
1-6 ability, achieving outstanding success both as a basketball player
1-7 and as a football player; and
1-8 WHEREAS, He began his storied coaching career at Carey High
1-9 School and twice led the basketball team to the state tournament,
1-10 capturing the state title in the team's second appearance there;
1-11 and
1-12 WHEREAS, An outstanding patriot, Mr. Smith volunteered for
1-13 military service during World War II, and he served ably and
1-14 proudly until a medical condition forced his discharge; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith resumed his coaching career at Mount
1-16 Vernon High School as head coach of both the football and the
1-17 basketball squads and achieved an unprecedented level of success,
1-18 helming his teams to six district titles in football and one state
1-19 and five regional titles in basketball; while at Mount Vernon, he
1-20 earned the distinction of being the only high school coach in Texas
1-21 history to produce undefeated teams in both football and basketball
1-22 in the same academic year; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Returning to his alma mater, he enjoyed a remarkable
1-24 three-year tenure as head football coach at East Texas State
2-1 University, guiding his team to a 29-game winning streak, three
2-2 Lone Star Conference championships, and two appearances in the
2-3 Tangerine Bowl; for his remarkable achievements he was named
2-4 College Coach of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association
2-5 in 1958; and
2-6 WHEREAS, He moved to Baylor University in 1959, where he
2-7 coached the freshman football squad until his retirement in 1984;
2-8 Mr. Smith also was highly productive as Baylor athletics promotion
2-9 director and executive director of the Baylor Bears Club; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Reflective of Mr. Smith's truly legendary status as
2-11 a sports figure was his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of
2-12 Fame, the East Texas State Sports Hall of Fame, the Panhandle
2-13 Sports Hall of Fame, and the Texas Association of Basketball
2-14 Coaches Hall of Fame; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Also an active force in the civic arena, he served
2-16 as a Waco city councilman from 1973 through 1977 and was mayor in
2-17 1976; other worthy organizations that benefited from his exemplary
2-18 leadership and wisdom were the Central Texas Zoo board of
2-19 directors, the executive board of CETA, the Heart of Texas Council
2-20 of Governments, the Civil Service Commission, the Contributors
2-21 Review Committee of Greater Waco, and the board of directors of the
2-22 Waco Airport; and
2-23 WHEREAS, A man of rare dedication and determination, M. A.
2-24 "Catfish" Smith will long be remembered by all who were privileged
2-25 to know him; although his inspirational presence is gone from us
2-26 now, his unique spirit will live on in the hearts of the many
2-27 people whose lives were touched by this outstanding individual;
3-1 now, therefore, be it
3-2 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-3 hereby pay tribute to the life of M. A. "Catfish" Smith and extend
3-4 sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Nell
3-5 Evans Smith; to his children, Jimmy Smith, Lya McNeill, Melissa
3-6 Flaut, and Jay Scott Evans; and to the many other friends and
3-7 relatives of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
3-9 for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of
3-10 Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory
3-11 of M. A. "Catfish" Smith.