Born in Steptoe, Washington, to Burrel F. and Addie (Humphrey) Smith,[REF][REF] Smith was raised in Moscow, Idaho, and graduated from Moscow High School in 1934, after leading the Bears to consecutive state titles in basketball [REF].
During Smith's senior football season of 1938, the team went 6-3-1,[REF] the Vandals' best record in over a decade; Idaho's last winning season in football for a quarter century[REF] and the best until 1971.