Ira Smith

Ira C. Smith was an American public address announcer who had worked for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. Since 1976, Smith has been called the Voice of Napa Valley Sports for KVON and KVYN, covering many local sports.

Early life and military service Smith was born and raised in Plum Tree, Indiana. He grew up listening to sportscasters Hilliard Gates and Chris Schenkel. He graduated from Hanover College with a degree in business administration. A major assigned him to the Army Public Information Office as a Broadcast Specialist because of the sound of his voice.

Career After leaving the military, Ira started his civilian career in radio management and sportscasting. Along the way Ira worked at WHLT in Columbia City, Indiana (4 years), WMRI AM and FM in Marion, Indiana (2 years) and WVMO in Monroe, Michigan where he also, for six years, broadcast University of Michigan football. Since 1976, he has been called the Voice of Napa Valley Sports for KVON and KVYN, covering many local sports. He passed the audition and joined the Kings' staff that year. He has also emceed Sacramento's Harvest Festival for over 20 years.

Community involvement Smith has served as past president of the Kiwanis Club for Napa and past president of the Napa Valley Tennis Association. He received the Napa Chamber of Commerce "Volunteer of the Year" award. He was also an ambassador for the Napa Chamber of Commerce, and was honored as its Ambassador of the Year in 2017.

Honors Smith was inducted into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame on March 5, 2022. On September 10, 2022, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame also inducted him. On November 2, 2022, he was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.

Personal life Smith had two sons, Brad and Tyler Smith, and a daughter, Heidi Horton. . Ira C Smith died on July 20, 2024, in Napa, California, from cardiac arrest. He was 88.