The small cadre of writers that consider themselves "women's basketball writers" have lost a member of the clan. Writes Glenn Nelson over at Hoopgurlz.com:

For decades, Joe Smith has been as much a part of the female basketball landscape as ponytails and held balls. Yet it took his passing on Tuesday, at the age of 65, for many to take note of the impact Smith had on the sport he'd grown to love so much.

As Vincent Cannizarro, who coached at Christ the King in Middle Village, N.Y., from 1980 to 1999, said, "People will tell you that Joe was a bigger-than-life character who many people admired and respected. The women's game has lost a champion today."