One of UBC's best ever quarterbacks helped lead a floundering program at UBC back to respectability. Led UBC to two Hardy Cups (western Canadian championship) and UBC's first appearance in the Vanier Cup in '78. Set 16 UBC passing records, was a Western Conference All-Star and All-Canadian and was the West's outstanding player in '78.
Dan Smith, an experienced player from BC Junior football's Vancouver Meralomas, arrived on campus in 1974, immediately stepping into the role of starting quarterback for the UBC Thunderbirds football team.
UBC football was experiencing very lean times, having gone winless the previous season and off to a very shaky start in 1974. However, with newly hired head coach Frank Smith now at the helm, coupled with new quarterback Dan Smith starting to show his skills, there were indications the team may be evolving from these discouraging years of less than successful football. "Smith and Smith smear Seattle", stated the Ubyssey after a 21-12 exhibition victory, although it was far too early for fans to get excited. However coach Smith prophesized "… if we get quarterbacking like Dan Smith is giving us now, we'll stand a good chance of being a contender."
In 1975 the transformation was in progress. Led by quarterback Smith and running back Gordie Penn, the UBC Thunderbirds vaulted into third place in Western standings and by half way through the season established a new team record for points scored. Seven members of the Thunderbirds made the Western All-Star team that year including Dan Smith at quarterback.
In 1976 the UBC Thunderbirds had reached the point where they were in a battle for first place relying on the arm of pre-season All-Canadian Dan Smith. In a game against Saskatchewan, also vying for first, Smith set a UBC record for pass completions in a game completing 24, a record that would stand nine years.
Later in the season the Ubyssey exclaimed "Smith pilots 'Birds to league title". Calling his best games of the season, Smith led UBC to its first WIFL championship and Hardy Cup in 14 years.
With most of the defending western champions returning in 1977, Smith and his teammates were confident, but soon found the league to be stronger and more competitive than in 1976. Rising to the occasion, Smith smashed the school record for yards gained passing in a game as he threw for 402 yards in a 29-29 tie with Manitoba in game number two. A key victory in game six allowing the UBC Thunderbirds to move into playoff contention prompted the Ubyssey to announce "Grid 'Birds fly to victory on Dan Smith's passing".
In a 42-16 victory over Alberta, Smith set his third UBC single game passing record throwing five touchdown passes, a record that still stands. One of those touchdowns, a Smith to Evan Jones passing play that covered 90 yards, was a UBC record that endured 18 years. Alberta coach Jim Donlevy stated, "Dan Smith has scored more points against us in the last two years than any other quarterback we have ever played against."
In 1978, UBC, with a solid team effort, won its second Western Conference championship in three years and for only the second time in UBC history a berth in the Canadian College Bowl final (Vanier Cup championship). Although the Thunderbirds were not victorious, coach Frank Smith was selected the Canadian University Coach of the Year and his quarterback, Dan Smith, was a finalist in the balloting for Canada's outstanding player.
The best UBC football season to date was capped off before 12,500 fans at Empire Stadium as UBC, behind the quarterbacking of Dan Smith, defeated Simon Fraser 22-14 in the revitalized Shrum Bowl game.
After completing five years of Thunderbird football, Dan Smith's name was prominent in the UBC football record book. He held five UBC career passing records, five UBC season records and six individual game records. His 16 records are more than any other UBC football player has held at any one time. Since his graduation, Smith has also been prominent as an active supporter and Coach of UBC football and in 2013 was acknowledged with induction into the BC Football Hall of Fame.
One of Smith's UBC teammates, Gary Metz, feels that as a UBC quarterback "Smith is the best they've had. He was a real leader and could get the job done under pressure." Frank Smith, 21-year head coach of the Thunderbirds, stated that as far as he was concerned, "Dan Smith was the best UBC quarterback in my time. If I had to choose from them all, he would be my quarterback!"
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
