NDAPSSA Hall of Fame

Russ Smith
Minot sportscaster

Inducted to the Hall of Fame: September 30, 1987

Born: December 8, 1923 in Minot.
Died: January 6, 2006 in Killdeer, N.D., age 82.
High School: Graduated from Maxbass (N.D.) High School, 1941.
College: Minot State College, earning a masters degree in 1970.

Smith began his journalism career in 1946 writing in the sports department at the Minot Daily News, where he would become sports editor. Two years later he switched to radio sports broadcasting, taking a job at KLPM in Minot. He remained there until 1972, when he joined KCJB radio and KXMC-TV. He retired from his fulltime position in 1985, but continued broadcasting games until 1993. He was a four-time winner of the state sportscaster of the year award (1959, 1960, 1962, 1976). Smith served two stints in the U.S. Army, in Europe during World War II and in Korea during the Korean War. He's a member of the Minot State University and Minot High School athletic halls of fame, as well as the Magic City Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. An avid hunter and fisherman, he competed in many major fishing tournaments.