LaMont Smith

LaMont Smith won a gold medal with the 4x400 relay at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He ran at Willingboro High School in New Jersey, where he was inspired by Carl Lewis, also a graduate of that school. Smith started out at Blinn Junior College but then attended the University of Houston. He made the 1996 Olympic team by finishing fourth at the US Olympic Trials.

Smith later settled in Houston but started the LaMont Smith Foundation to help students and athletes in the Willingboro area. The foundation consists of four parts: a Back to School Program providing backpacks and other supplies to students; and Academic Support Program which provides tutoring support; a Computer Program which supplies laptop computers to students who cannot afford them; and the Student Athlete Development Program which teaches young athletes how collegians organize and manage athletics and academics. The motto of his foundation is “Empowering Youth Through Education.”

Personal Best: 400 – 44.30 (1996).