He developed many of the modern rules which are used in competition today, authored three books on Water Polo, and helped design the yellow rubberized ball adopted by FINA in 1956 which greatly enhanced spectator interest in the sport.

He lettered in water polo and swimming at Long Beach Poly High in 1922–24, where he served as Team captain.

[1] Smith served in the Navy, was a WWII era veteran eventually attaining the rank of Captain, and coached the 1956 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the armed services.

Smith also coached U.S. Navy Commander Dean H. Forsgren at the 1950 AAU National Championship as part of the Whittier Swim and Polo Club.

[2] Smith wrote articles for the Associated Press, Swimming World Magazine and Water Polo Scoreboard.

He developed a water polo ball made with an inflatable bladder and a rubber fabric cover, which improved performance, adding spectator interest to the game.

As a highly accomplished collegiate coach, and an officer in U.S. Water Polo organizations, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1992.

The award is given annually to an individual or group, recognizing outstanding contributions to water polo in the United States.