Smith graduated From Cocoa High School in 1961
Charles “Phil” Smith: Cocoa High’s Triple‑Threat Trailblazer
Back in 1961, the Cocoa High rosters shook with a single guy who could outplay, outshoot, and outrun everyone.
- Nine varsity letters – three in football, three in basketball, and three in track. Talk about a full‑time job.
- All‑State in football – because when he’d run the ball, the state wanted a ticket.
- All‑State in basketball – hoops weren’t the only place he left a mark.
- First scholarship athlete at Eastern Florida State – paving the way for future stars.
Why “Phil” made history
In an era when most athletes played one sport, Phil was the original “everything‑in‑one.” He could jam the ball into a goal, sprint the sidelines, and then shoot a hoop—all before lunch break. His triple‑trifecta proved that versatility isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a winning strategy.
Fun fact: He’s a professional “multitasker”!
Even today, legends say if you ever see a guy who can juggle a football, a basketball, and a track baton—just tell him he’s got a twin. Phil lived that joke on the field, court, and track.
2016 PREP INDUCTEE
All State In Football and Basketball, FCCAA Distinguished Service Award, and First Scholarship Athlete At EFSC
Phil Smith: Cocoa High’s All‑Around Philosopher
Back in the day, school sports were a week‑long buffet, not a single course. Charles “Phil” Smith, a 1961 Cocoa High graduate, chowed down on football, basketball, and track almost every season. No one was allowed to skip any of the plates.
Triple Triple‑Trifecta
Phil earned all nine varsity letters—
- Football: 3
- Basketball: 3
- Track: 3
—a feat that still reverberates when people mention his name.
The Trailblazer of Brevard Junior College
Robust in the same ways that his alma‑mater – now EASTERN FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE – had evolved, Phil was the first scholarship athlete there. While juggling basketball, he became:
- Two‑time team captain
- Leading scorer and rebounder
- First to earn Southern All‑Conference and All‑State honors
He also set a 30‑rebound single‑game record that still gets people talking over half a century later.
High‑Jumping & Long‑Jumping Glory
When the track team sprung up during his second academic year, Phil didn’t miss a beat. He snagged a state title, leaping 6 ’3” high and shattering the long‑jump mark with a 20 ’8” blast.
Georgia Southern Glory & Later Life
With a basketball scholarship in hand, Phil moved on to Georgia Southern College, dove deep into academics, and finished as part of the 1964 NAIA National runner‑up team. Returning to Brevard with a freshly minted bachelor’s in education and history, he started coaching the very classes that made him a legend.
From Classroom to Field Director
Phil’s first teaching gigs began in Titusville at South Lake Elementary and Jackson Junior High, where he also served as head coach in football, basketball, and track while filling the role of athletic director.
- Returned to Cocoa High as a graduate‑coach for boys’ basketball and the inaugural head coach for girls’ basketball and slow‑pitch softball.
- Held positions as athletics director, dean, assistant principal, and adult‑education principal.
Statewide Leadership & Hall of Fame Titles
When he left Cocoa for Gainesville in 1982, Phil joined the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA) as field services director, eventually taking the helm of the Florida Association of Student Councils and the Florida Association of National Honor Societies. He retired in 2007 after 16 years as executive director of the Florida Community College Activities Association.
Phil’s legacy is etched across several halls: FHSAA, FLCCAA, Collegiate Press Association, and both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches’ State Halls of Fame.
Check out the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame
To learn more, call the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame at 321‑615‑8111 or email Contact@spaceCoastDaily.com.
Remembering Phil Smith: A High School Legend
The Triple‑Triumph of 1961
- Three varsity letters in football
- Three varsity letters in basketball
- Three varsity letters in track
That adds up to a whopping nine varsity letters—a true triple trifecta that still makes people grin when they’re talking high‑school lore. If you think luck was the key, think again: Phil practically scheduled a football practice, a basketball game, and a track meet on the same day.
All‑State Status: Double the Glory
Not only did Phil dominate on the field and the court, but he also earned All‑State honors in both football and basketball. When his name was called, it was announced with a mix of cheers and a nod to the fact that he didn’t just play—he shaped the game.
Why Phil Still Matters
Fast forward to today, and Phil’s legacy lives on in memories, a few dusty yearbooks, and the shared stories of every local kid who once wanted to match his all‑star hustle. Whether you’re a fan of slam dunks or sprint sprints, remember that the real mix is the hard work—like the way Phil kept his gym shoes in tip‑toe order even while running a mile in championship gear.
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