ROCHELLE — Before he passed away in December, Todd Smith gave the Rochelle Township High School football coaches Under Armour shirts to wear under their polos during games. 

“Last spring, I wore it every game,” RTHS Football Coach and Teacher Brian Worthington said. “I intend to wear it every game until I retire. Because every Friday night, he's one of the things I want to think about.”

Worthington spoke those words during a tree dedication in Smith’s honor on Friday at the school. Smith’s family and football players and coaches gathered to honor the late photographer and booster club president. 

The tree was planted on Purple Pass on May 17. RTHS Athletic Director Rich Harvey said Smith wore many hats at RTHS and photographed dances, musicals, sports, assemblies and more. 

“He was the yearbook supervisor,” Harvey said. “He was at practice. He was part of the booster club and gave a significant amount of money to help support our programs. He also ran Hub Sports Photography. Each year he'd give a big check. He cared about being a Hub. His contributions helped our school grow and our kids grow."

RTHS Principal Chris Lewis said he knew Smith for almost 20 years. He said Smith loved being around the kids and brought awareness to high school football in northern Illinois, being ahead of the social media curve. 

Everyone in the northern Illinois football community knew Smith, and he knew every score. Lewis said Smith’s fondest years were when he was able to watch his son, Cole, play RTHS football. 

“He was the ultimate Hub,” Lewis said. “The four years he was here with his son and out there watching the games, those were some of the four greatest years of his life. That's what I'll remember most about Todd. He couldn't talk enough about his son and how proud he was."

Ben Harvey was the first recipient of the Todd Smith Booster Club Scholarship at RTHS. He spoke to the current RTHS players that won’t get to meet Smith.

“I've known Todd for 15 years,” Harvey said. “I remember every time I saw him as a kid I felt comfortable. He was always smiling. I'm sorry you guys won't have the chance to get to know him. He was passionate about everything he did. Every picture he took. You could see that through his work and throughout his entire life. He was always happy.”

Rich Harvey said Smith’s legacy will always live in the community and he’ll drive by the tree every day to remember him. The two words he described Smith by were selfless and genuine. 

Smith’s brother, Tom, was in attendance for the dedication and spoke about the legacy his brother left behind. 

“He was always giving what he had to the next generation,” Tom Smith said. “That was Todd. All we have is memories. You go into that school, pictures are memories. That is his legacy. 

“He always got a picture when you didn't know he was getting a picture. That was what he was good at."