UTICA, N.Y. -- It was a tough day for officials in the Utica School District, as it honored and remembered Will Smith.
“Words just can’t describe the tremendous sadness the Utica School District and the whole entire Utica community is feeling at this point, as we mourn the heartbreaking loss of one of our own, Will Smith,” said Christopher Salatino, the board's president.
Even while they mourned, they couldn't help remembering Smith's great impact on the school and a community he often returned to throughout his career.
“He will long be remembered as a wonderful student, a hard worker, and someone who gave a tremendous part of himself back to the youth in our community right here in Utica,” said Proctor High School Principal Steven Falchi.
One big way he gave back was through his charity foundation, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way." Through the foundation, there was a football camp that was free to all players in the area and a banquet that honored local players. Smith's former head football coach, Guy Puleo, fondly remembers him returning for the banquet and being a presence in kids' lives.
“It’s a very proud moment when you see him come back and interact with the kids and just knowing that you may have had a small part in that ... It gives you a good feeling,” said Puleo.
Puleo says he was also happy to see Smith bring attention to an area that doesn't get much.
“This is a good football area,” he said. “We’re not always noted for football, but there’s a lot of great football players here and that was part of his goal, to bring the attention and notoriety to this area.”
While Smith may be gone, officials say his legacy will be felt for a long time to come through the many students and community members he's helped.
Proctor High School will host a ceremony to honor Smith's life Thursday at 5 p.m. at the football stadium.