Herschel Curry Smith

Who is Herschel Curry Smith?

Herschel Curry Smith is best known as an American athletic coach in the sport of track and field at Compton Jr. College. He is also popularly known as the founder of the Compton Invitational, and the co-founder of the Los Angeles Invitational, both track meets located in Southern California, the United States of America. Herschel was also well known as a sprint athlete and world record holder. As a team member of the University of Southern California track team, in 1927 his team broke the world record in the 800-meter and 880-yard relay. Herschel was the head coach of Compton College from 1928 to 1968 and was the founder of the Compton Invitational and its director from 1936-1969. Herschel was also the co-founder, with Al Franken, and the meet director of the first indoor track meet on the west coast. Known as the Los Angeles Invitational, its name later developed into the primary sponsors name, the Sunkist Invitational. Herschel coached many world class athletes including record high-jumpers Cornelius Johnson and Charles Dumas. From 1940 to 1942, Herschel served as The President of the National Junior College Athletic Association.