Butler standout Andrew Smith, an Academic All-American and member of Butler’s two national championship game teams, passed away Tuesday, January 12, after a two-year battle with cancer. A celebration of life and several ways to honor Andrew have been planned. Butler University has been in contact with the Smith Family, who are appreciative of the support from the Butler Community and the establishment of the Andrew Smith Scholarship Fund to honor Andrew’s legacy moving forward.
Celebration of Life for Andrew Smith – Sunday, January 17
A service to celebrate the life of Andrew Smith will be held this Sunday, January 17th, at Traders Point Christian Church (6590 S. Indianapolis Road, Whitestown, IN 46075). The service will begin at 5 p.m., with doors open at 4 p.m. For those unable to attend but would still like to view his memorial, the service will be live streamed at TPCC.org.
Andrew Smith Scholarship Fund
The Butler community appreciates the outpouring of support this week from those who share our love for Andrew and the Smith family. Thanks to the generosity of some of Andrew’s biggest fans, we are establishing the Andrew Smith Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarship support for future Butler Bulldogs on the men’s basketball team.
Contributions in Andrew’s honor may be made online at Bulldognation.butler.edu/andrewsmith or by check to Butler University Advancement, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208. Please reference “Andrew Smith Scholarship Fund” in the check memo or online designation field. Thank you for helping us honor Andrew and provide support for his future teammates.
Butler’s third annual “Stay Positive Day,” held in conjunction with the Bulldogs’ basketball game against St. John’s at noon Saturday. The organization is run by two-time cancer survivor Eric Day. Stay Positive’s goal is to raise $25,000 for Smith’s family, and the event is already halfway there.
Day sells wristbands for $1 that say “Stay Positive” and have the inscription “G3” – Give God Glory. Butler students will sell those at the game. Posters and bookmarks, featuring Smith’s favorite Bible verses, will be available for a $5 donation. One thousand T-shirts will be on sale for $10 each, featuring an image of mascot Butler Blue III with antlers to symbolize Smith’s “Moose” nickname. Students in the Dawg Pound section of Hinkle Fieldhouse will wear the shirts.
Day’s website is www.staypositivebands.org.
Team Tributes
The Butler men’s basketball team will wear AS44 patches on their jerseys for the remainder of the season. A moment of silence and video tribute are planned at Saturday’s game prior to the starting line-ups. FS1 currently plans on airing the moment of silence and video tribute live to open its national television broadcast.
