"The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back." Vince Lombardi

Smitty was an all-around athlete, lettering in three sports. He excelled as a football lineman for four years, playing under Coach Ralph Worth. He made the all-city team and the all-Capitol District Conference team in two seasons, and was team captain in 1961, his senior year.

That year, Smitty was captain of the All-East Team in Nutmeg All-Star Game and was named Most Valuable Player in that game, an honor seldom awarded to a lineman.

Smitty also played basketball--he was a member of the New England championship team of 1961--and baseball, earning two letters in that sport.

Biran went on to the University of Connecticut, where he made all Yankee Conference and All New England in 1963. While at UConn, Brian received the Outstanding Contribution Award and the Red O'Neil Award. He graduated in 1965 and was honored in 2005 at Rentschler Field for his contribution to the University.

Brian Smith is a co-founder of Smith Brothers Insurance Inc. He serves on several boards and is vice president of the Nutmeg State Games.