Courtesy: BSU Photo Services Travis Smith at the 2006 Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, played last fall at Delaware Country Club.
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Travis Smith (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute South H.S.), a freshman member of the Ball State University men's golf team, was tragically killed in a traffic accident Jan. 27 in Muncie.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of Travis Smith," said Ball State Athletics Director Tom Collins. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the members of our Ball State golf program during this difficult time."
Smith played in 18 competitive rounds for the Cardinals during the 2006 fall season as a true freshman. He was majoring in pre-business.
"The thoughts and prayers of the Ball State community are with Travis' family and friends at this very sad time," said Kay Bales, vice president for student affairs. "This is a tragic event and we are saddened by the loss."
Smith was laid to rest Jan. 31, 2007 in Terre Haute. At the ceremony, Ball State head coach Mike Fleck and members of the 2007 Cardinals presented Smith's family with a BSU Letter Jacket, which Smith would have earned this spring.
Fleck and the Cardinals have also named Smith as the team's honorary captain for the 2007 season.
Travis James Smith Travis James Smith, 19, of Terre Haute died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Muncie. He was born May 5, 1987, in Terre Haute to Jimmy A. Smith and Tami Dooley Smith.
Survivors include his parents; one sister, Courtney Smith; maternal grandparents, Jerry and Cookie Dooley; paternal grandmother, Lois Smith; two uncles, Mark Dooley and his wife Shelly and their five children, and Jerry Smith and his wife Terry; special friends, Greg Oden and James Twitchell; several cousins; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, James Smith; and an aunt, Debbie Smith.
He was a 2006 graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School and a member of St. Joseph University Parish. He was a four-year member of Terre Haute South’s golf team, and a member of the varsity basketball team. He was a current member of Ball State University’s golf team, and was a member of Terre Haute Boys & Girls Club. He was Most Valuable Player of the THS golf team for three consecutive years, and also set every individual record there. He received the Student Council Award for three consecutive years, was an AGJA Rolex All-American in Golf, won the Terre Haute City Junior Golf Tournament twice, and won the Country Club Championship of Terre Haute twice. He also was a member of the Indiana All-State Golf Team in 2006. He finished fourth individually and the South team was runner-up in the 2006 State Tournament. He won several golf tournaments too numerous to mention. He played six years at AAU Basketball for the Terre Haute Stars, which won the State Championship four consecutive years.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Travis Smith Endowment Fund, in care of the Terre Haute Boys & Girls Club.
Courtesy: BSU Photo Services
