The Big K Morning Show
Larry's Hometown Hero
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For Tuesday nights, big event, our 12th annual hometown heroes event at the Le Mans, overlooking our great city, and today we want to introduce you to Howard Smith. Howard, good morning. Good morning, Larry. How are you? First and foremost, congratulations and thank you for all you do and have done for so many people. Let's talk about your background and your resume. Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and how you developed this love for hockey and utilized it to help so many others. Well, I grew up in the Hill District and East Liberty and in 1972, my parents moved from the Hill District to East Liberty and it was at that time, that year I was about 11 years old, when I saw a hockey game on television and it was between Canada and the Soviet Union. It was just something about the intrigue of that game and it was just something different that said, I want to try this sport and as you know, back in the early 70s and what have you, there weren't really a lot of places to learn how to play hockey and Pittsburgh, but I kind of persevered and throughout the 70s, I found places to learn how to play the game and that's how my love for the game really grew back in 1972. And people may or may not be aware, I mean, you really worked hard to break through that barrier. The color barrier in hockey, in fact, I know several years ago you were recognized by the National Hockey League with the Willio Reaward. That is correct. Segueing into the Willio Reaward, almost 20 somewhat years ago, there was a program that the National Hockey League and the Pittsburgh Penguins put together a program called Hockey in the Hood. I happened to hear about it and see it on the Penguins website at that time and I reached out to a gentleman who worked at Deloitte Tush named Clifford Benson and from there, it just spiraled into something that, you know, there's a program out here that's giving kids of color and kids all over the opportunity to learn and play the game. And for 13 years, I was, you know, a part of that program, Hockey in the Hood then, the name changed to Pittsburgh ice, inclusion creates equality, but beyond that, I have taken, you know, my opportunity to hockey, to just height to where I wanted to spread the message out that, yes, hockey is for everyone, not just, you know, locally here, but everywhere. So it just continues to this day as to why I enjoy doing this sport so much. And the fact that you were correct, there's not many people of color that play the game and there are programs out there that are changing that. But as I understand it, we're with Howard Smith, one of our five hometown heroes. You've also utilized this to help you talk about breaking through barriers of young people that have physical challenges too and bringing the game to them. Yes, there is a program in Pittsburgh. In fact, there's four programs actually in Western Pennsylvania with USA Hockey's special needs hockey. I'm been a member and a coach with a program that I coach locally here in Pittsburgh called the Steel City Icebergs. The Icebergs is one of four special needs programs in Western Pennsylvania that reach out to children and adults with special needs, whether it's cognitive, ADHD, you know, that sort of thing. And this program gives these children and adults the opportunity to play hockey in an environment that is comfortable for them and cognitive for them so that they can enjoy this great sport that we do. Well, we're so thrilled to have you represent part of our community that's underserved many times and you're looked at as a great leader and you also help veterans like yourself with PTSD. The hockey is a great and I know that some veteran organizations utilize the sport to recreate that bonding that's missing in a lot of young men and women's lives after they serve. That is correct. For the last five years, I've been a member of the Pittsburgh Warriors Disabled Veterans Hockey program. The Pittsburgh Warriors are one of 45 programs throughout the United States that give veterans and disabled veterans the opportunity to play hockey and use that opportunity as an opportunity and a way to heal through whatever traumatic issues that we may be dealing with throughout our lives and the fact that we all have something in common with ourselves and on the team. We also have our nation. Well, Coach Howard, thank you for your service first and foremost. And I don't know if you're aware of this, but one of our previous lifetime achievement awardees is also going to be in the room Tuesday. You might be of interest in Craig Patrick. Yes, I actually got to meet Mr. Patrick a number of years ago when I was doing the hockey and the hood program and it's just an honor to know that he's going to be there and also Jim Leland. You know, the meet finally get to meet him in person and I'm just very honored and very humbled by being, you know, this award. I'm former Steelers GM Kevin Colbert will also be in for our dinner. So we're looking forward to seeing you there next Tuesday and meeting you in person and sharing your story with our group. Thank you, Howard. Thank you, Larry, and I look forward to next Tuesday and seeing you. Howard Smith, one of our hometown heroes on The Big Game Morning Show. Hey NFL fans, you can start the season with a big return on Fandal, America's number one sports book. So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play-by-play, and so much more on the same page where you place your bets. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet. That's Fandal.com/sportsfan. Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fandal, an official sports book partner of the NFL. Must be 21 plus in present in Colorado, first online real money weights are only $10 first deposit required. Bonus issue does now withdrawable bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com, gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700.