Aaron Smith, a 2005 Jim Thorpe High graduate, spent his senior year as an Olympian after playing the three previous years as a member of the Tamaqua Blue Raiders.

Smith lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Jim Thorpe.He was also very successful in all three sports at Tamaqua and continued that at Jim Thorpe as a member of the 2004 Anthracite 8 Football League champions and the 2004 District 11 AAA Runners-up.In 2004, Smith was honored by being named to the Associated Press Class AAA All-State First Team as a defensive back. He is the only football player in Jim Thorpe history to be named to the first team. Smith lettered for four years in football and was selected to THE TIMES NEWS All-Area first team all four years.In 2004 he was also selected to the Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald first team and the All-Schuylkill County team as a defensive back. Smith also played wide receiver on offense and was a two-way first Team selection on the Anthracite 8 squad, catching 28 passes (second most in THE TIMES NEWS area) for 445 yards and six touchdowns.At 6-2, 190 pounds, Smith, on defense, lined up as a strong safety but was more like a linebacker or monster back and according to head coach Mark Rosenberger "brought a sense of physicality to our defense. He was a big reason wy our defense which limited opponents to 134.6 yards per game, was so strong during the season."Smith also starred on the baseball diamond. He had a 0.90 ERA as a pitcher and was named the MVP of the team his senior year.Smith earned a scholarship to Fordham University where he attended for two years. He then transferred to Bloomsburg to finish his college caeer.He works as a Behavioral Specialist and Mobile Therapist for a counseling agency in Lancaster and lives in Sinking Spring, PA with his wife Ashley. They are expecting their first child in September.The JIm Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held on Saturday, August 18 at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall.Cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m., dinner a 6 p.m. The induction ceremony will follow at 7:15 and entertainman begins at 8:30 p.m.Tickets can be obtained by calling Craig Zurn at 570-325-3855/3363, Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073, Ron Sheehan at 570-325-4244 or Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923.The Class of 2012 includes Heydt, Tom Skelly, the 1935 Mauch Chunk Catholic High School football team, Derick Reis, Jason Figura, Justin Young, and Jacob Heydt.