As a sophomore defensive lineman at Notre Dame in 1974, Gene Smith thought about leaving school.
His roommates and several of his other close friends, including fellow Northeast Ohio native Ross Browner, were suspended for a violation of the school’s dormitory code, and Smith was depressed. He had also broken his arm, knocking him out for the entire season, and on a predominantly white campus, he felt alone.
Smith had packed his belongings into his car and was prepared to drive home – without even telling his parents first – until Notre Dame defensive line coach Joe Yonto, having found out that Smith was planning to leave, called Smith into his office and convinced him to stay.