Dave Smith, IUP Athletic Hall of Fame member and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, has passed away at the age of 73.
Smith was known as the first IUP graduate to be drafted in the annual National Football League player selection. He was taken in the eighth round of the 1970 draft and played two seasons for the team. Smith led the Steelers in touchdown receptions in 1971. He also played for the Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs.
As an IUP athlete, Smith was remembered for flying directly from catching a 62-yard touchdown pass in the 1968 Boardwalk Bowl in Atlantic City to suit up for a college basketball game, a 87-69 win at then-rival Geneva that same night. Smith played offense and defense for the IUP football team and played for the IUP baseball team as well. He was inducted to the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
The Voice of the Crimson Hawks, Jack Benedict, reflected on calling one of Smith’s seasons and called him one of the best athletes he’d seen.
