Smithson Valley Community Suffers Signifcant Losses

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The Smithson Valley community suffered two significant losses earlier this month.  Rangers wrestling head coach and water polo assistant coach Tim Clarkson died August 7.  His death came just four days after the passing of Glenn Hill Sr., father of SV head football coach Larry Hill and grandfather of football assistant coach Glenn Hill III.

Tim Clarkson

Clarkson was found unconscious in his office after leaving water polo pre-season practice at Smithson Valley.  “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the sudden passing of Coach Tim Clarkson,” Principal Stacia Snyder said in a letter to the school community.  Snyder called Clarkson “a beacon of positivity” in her letter shared on Facebook by the Parent Teacher Student Association.

Clarkson joined the SVHS coaching staff in 2019.  In March, he was named the Class 5A boys wresting coach of the year by the Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association.  Clarkson previously coached at San Antonio Churchill High School in the North East Independent School District.  School counselors are available to visit with SVHS students who may need help coping with the loss of Coach Clarkson.    

Glenn C. Hill Sr.

“Grandpa Hill” as he was known by most in the Smithson Valley community was a long-time Texas educator and coach.  The Korean War veteran began his career as head football coach at Natalia High School where his eldest son Glenn Hill Jr. was born.  He then became head coach at Falls City where Larry Hill was born.  Both sons were born on football Friday nights.  Coach Hill joined his wife Millie at the hospital AFTER both games.

In 1962, Hill became head football coach and athletic director at East Central High School in San Antonio.  In 1973 he went into school administration at the East Central Independent School District where he served as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of the district until his retirement in 1986.  In addition to Larry and Glenn III, grandsons Alan and Bryan also have served on the Smithson Valley coaching staff during their careers.