PJ Smith Obituary – Cause of Death: Longtime University of North Carolina wrestling coach PJ Smith passes away.

A NCAA Wrestling, North Carolina Wrestling, and UNCP Hall of Fame Member, Coach Smith left a profound legacy in the wrestling community. He served as UNCP’s head wrestling coach from 1982 to 2006.

Smith passed away on Monday, November 6th. His cause of death was not immediately mentioned.

Smith held a 255-150-3 record with the Braves, coached 33 All-Americans and 13 academic All-Americans, and led his team to two top-10 finishes at the NCAA Division-II national tournament.

Social Media Tributes

“I want to take a moment to remember Coach PJ Smith. He was a pillar of Wrestling in North Carolina, especially in Robeson County, for 40+ years. Coach Smith always advocated for growing wrestling in our area and mentored many young coaches, including myself, in the county. You can see the impact Coach Smith had on wrestling all over the state of North Carolina, and his name can be brought up at any wrestling tournament in the state with memories of his career as a Hall of Fame coach and official. The blood, sweat, tears, and time he invested and his impact on this sport in our region and the state will not be forgotten,” Jamie Bell from Lumberton Wrestling Team wrote in a social media post.

Words fall short of expressing our grief for your loss, as we mourn with family and friends for this great loss. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers help comfort you. Please receive our heartfelt condolences.

Feel free to drop condolences messages and prayers for the family and friends of the deceased as it will go a very long way at this difficult time.

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