Ed Smoker ’63 was named All Conference for two years as a defensive back and standout tackler who repeatedly helped shut out opposing teams during the Coach Ken Mast era.

Described by Mast as “the best defensive back I ever coached,” Smoker played alongside fellow inductees Willis (Willie) Taylor ’58 and Elbert Dubenion ’59. He holds the record for most single-season interceptions in Bluffton history with nine.

Smoker graduated from Bluffton in 1963 with a business administration degree. He served as the purchasing manager of R.E. Jackson Company for 24 years and was the owner/operator of the Elkhart River Queen, which operates tours on the St. Joseph River in Elkhart, Ind. Currently, Smoker owns several properties in Elkhart, Ind. He is also active as a founding member of the Viking Ski Club of South Bend-Elkhart.

A resident of Elkhart, Ind., Smoker has four children: Jeff Smoker, Robb Smoker, Kimberly Cummings and Elizabeth Bevis.

Ed Smoker was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 for his achievements in football.