Lessons learned in Big Sandy still serving Bears coach well

BIG SANDY, Texas (AP) -- Friends and relatives in Lovie Smith's hometown say many of the qualities that make him a successful coach of the Super Bowl-bound Chicago Bears can be traced right back to

Sunday, January 28th 2007, 2:30 pm

By: News On 6

BIG SANDY, Texas (AP) -- Friends and relatives in Lovie Smith's hometown say many of the qualities that make him a successful coach of the Super Bowl-bound Chicago Bears can be traced right back to Big Sandy.

Smith was a member of the National Honor Society and was voted "Most Likely To Succeed" by the other 33 members of his graduating class at Big Sandy High.

But he stood out most on the football field.

Smith was a linebacker and tight end on Wildcats teams that were unbeaten from 1973 through 1975 -- winning three straight Class B state titles.

The '75 team scored 824 points, a national record that lasted 19 years. Their opponents only managed 15 points the entire season.

Located in East Texas, Big Sandy is having a pep rally downtown on Super Bowl Sunday. The high school band and cheerleaders are going to perform, and they've borrowed a Bear mascot costume from a nearby high school.

A game-watching party will follow at Church of God, which has a big projector screen and room for up to a thousand people.

About 20 of Smith's relatives are planning to travel to Miami for the Super Bowl. His four siblings will meet at their mom's house in Tyler, then caravan over Friday morning.