PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Saturday, June 16, is a day Todd Smith won’t forget anytime soon.

(Photos courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Photos by Dave Arrigo)

Smith, a math teacher and baseball and football coach at Clarion-Limestone, was honored with the 2018 Western Pennsylvania Excellence in Male Leadership Award by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). He was presented with the award on the field at PNC Park by Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly at had the honor of throwing out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Pirates 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Smith with Pirates president Frank Coonelly.

Smith was honored with the award for being a “compassionate, outspoken champion for students,” according to the award signed by Susan Higginbotham, Executive Director of the PCADV.

“As a teacher and coach, Smith is a positive mentor to young men and role models healthy relationships by leading by example,” the award states.

“He has been coaching youth sports for over 20 years, much of it as a volunteer through community organizations. Smith also volunteers time to a program for at-risk students in his school district and has served as a deacon, youth leader and nursery volunteer at his church. His healthy relationships are rooted in his family with his wife Melissa, three children and currently a foster child. Smith embodies the spirit of the Excellence in Male Leadership Award.”

On his Facebook Page, Smith thanks the PCADV and the Pirates for a wonderful day for him and his family saying he was honored, humbled and blessed.