Coach Smart and the GCPS Sports Hall of Fame

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Coach Smart and the GCPS Sports Hall of Fame

By Beth Volpert Johansen

As the world begins to settle into a new normal following the disruptions of COVID-19, those who make it their mission in life to support students in a variety of ways outside of the classroom have begun to reassemble the pieces of their programs from their hiatus. One very important piece of any supportive program revolves around the funding needed to keep academic initiatives strong.

The Gwinnett County Public School Foundation’s annual fundraiser banquet for the Gwinnett County Sports Hall of Fame has featured speakers over the years who are known to draw a crowd. The last keynote speaker to deliver a message of support for students gave his speech at the 2019 banquet. The twist in this story? It was Coach Nick Saban who took to the stage that year. It would be the last banquet before COVID-19 left stages across the world empty, and charitable funding took a hit harder than any decent SEC defenseman could deliver. It was tough.

When it became apparent that the CDC guidance would allow larger gatherings, Aaron C. Lupuloff, Senior Executive Director of the Foundation Fund, took action. His plan for the event began formulating just about thirty seconds after The Georgia Bulldogs secured the coveted and prestigious NATTY. As the National Championship Coach who unseated Coach Saban, Coach Kirby Smart seemed to be the perfect fit as the first post-COVID speaker.

“I drafted a letter and worked at crafting the right words that would bring Coach Smart to Gwinnett County,” says Lupuloff. “In the letter, I outlined how he could bring down the house again with encouraging words to our 2022 Hall of Fame recipients.” Aaron Lupuloff’s words hit Coach Smart between the numbers. Gwinnett received the NATTY-winning coach on their turf at the Gas South Center on the evening of April 12th.

By securing one of the most influential speakers of the year, the community responded to the fundraiser with excitement. Attendees joined Keynote Sponsor ROOTS, and the Foundation’s three major sponsors Primerica, Stratix Corp, and 5th 3rd Bank for a night of long-overdue celebration.

Coach Smart joined a long list of crowd-drawing keynote speakers that included Bobby Cox, Dan Quinn, Vince Dooley, and Dan Reeves. Fox 5’s Buck Lanford, a former Gwinnett County Public School basketball player, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Former Gwinnett, University of Georgia, and NFL football player and commentator, Matt Stinchcomb hosted a question-and-answer session with Coach Smart at the 2022 event.

“In a county that has long been characterized by excellence, it was only fitting to have a championship winning coach of Kirby Smart’s caliber there to address the crowd,” remarked Stinchcomb. Comments and topics ran the gamut, but one theme remained strong in Smart’s interviews. “It’s Gwinnett County,” said Coach Smart.