Justin “Bumper” Smith (1953– 1993) was born and raised in San Francisco. He had deep family ties to The Olympic Club and joined himself in 1977. He took great pride in cultivating community and growing the rich traditions of the Club. He embodied the spirit of Olympia, always eager to challenge the body and improve the mind. He participated in several OC basketball teams and, in 1988, co-founded The Olympic Club softball program. He was the deputy softball commissioner from 1990–1993.
Smith wanted to be certain everyone who was interested in playing softball with the OC had the opportunity to play, no matter their talent. He encouraged everyone to join and when he found OC members playing for other teams, he would ask them, “how about playing for The Olympic Club? Come out and have a great time and meet fellow OC members who are great guys!”
As for Bumper’s athletic uniqueness, he had the prototypical softball player build. At 6’4″, 250–260 lbs. there wasn’t a ballpark he couldn’t hit the ball out of. With that being said, he hit a homerun the first time he came to bat, proudly wearing his new OC uniform. The only problem was that the league did not allow home runs. Nobody dared remind him of this, however. Not only was he a great hitter, but he was also a phenomenal first-base player, the best in the league.
Bumper’s professional life as a San Francisco Firefighter gave him the opportunity to give back to the community in which he took great personal pride. He was posthumously awarded the 1993 Olympian Award for Athletic Achievement, and the tribute noted that he “always played hard, played fair, and was a loyal and faithful team player.”
Though he left us too young, his legacy continues annually with the Justin “Bumper” Smith Softball League Award, started in 1991 to recognize the member who embodies commitment and leadership, highlighting a player who makes an impact on the field, as well as serves as an emissary for the program off the field. This award is a fitting lasting memory of Bumper.
