End of an era at Greece Odyssey

In high school sports siblings often have the opportunity to share the same coaches and to play together on the same teams. Once in a great while a family’s tenure on a team encompasses a full decade, as was the case from 2004 through 2012 when the Greece Odyssey head baseball coach penciled in the last name ‘Smola’ on his lineup card on a regular basis.

Over the past 10 years Jared, Jordy and Tyler Smola have each been a key member of the Odyssey varsity baseball team. Jared took the field for the time in 2003, and was joined by Jordy in 2005. The duo played together for two years, with Jordy continuing his varsity career until 2008. Tyler arrived on the varsity team one year later, and laced up his cleats for the Leopards for the final time this past spring. Though they were too far apart in age to take the field together, the trio (along with their parents) share a bond through sports that runs much deeper than being on the same team.

“Sports are part of the bond that keeps our family so close,” said Jared. “Growing up with two brothers was very competitive, we turned almost every thing we did into a game. Whether is was basketball, home run derby or board games, we all wanted to win.”

The oldest of the three at age 24, Jared played four seasons of varsity baseball for Greece Odyssey, providing the Leopards with a high on base percentage and speed on the base paths while manning the second base position in the field. He was part of two sectional championship teams (2005, 2006), bringing home all-county and sectional MVP honors his senior year. Along with an outstanding career on the diamond, Jared was also a three-year member of the varsity basketball team.

Jordy, 22,  joined his older brother on varsity in 2005. He was part of all three sectional championship teams from 2005 through 2007, with an appearance in the sectional finals his senior year. The most powerful of the three from the plate, Jordy earned third team all-county honors his sophomore year, and first team all-county his junior and senior seasons. He was selected third team all-state his junior year and second team all-state his senior year while being named to the All-Greater Rochester team both seasons. Like Jared, Jordy was also a member of the varsity basketball team.

“One of my favorite memories of growing up was the sectional championship Jared and I won in 2005,” said Jordy. “Getting the chance to play varsity baseball with my brother was a great experience, and winning that first one was amazing. I wish I could’ve had the same opportunity to play with Tyler, but we just missed each other.”

Tyler, 18, was the last of the three brothers to play baseball for Greece Odyssey under head coach Roger Klimek. He also hit the hardwoods for the Leopards, finishing with two varsity letters in basketball. Called up to the varsity baseball team midway through his freshman year (one year after Jordy’s departure), Tyler spent three and a half years calling games from behind the plate while providing a high average out of the batters box. He earned second team all-county honors his junior year, and All-Greater Rochester honorable mention honors and first team all-county honors his senior year. Though his teams fell short of a sectional title, one of his best memories involved the 2005 championship season.

“The first sectional title my brothers won together is one thing I will never forget,” Tyler said. “I wasn’t on the team yet, but I remember traveling with my parents to the game, and the celebration after they won and how excited everybody was. That was one of the greatest memories from growing up.”

The bond formed through sports not only keeps Jared, Jordy and Tyler close together, it keeps them close to their parents, Mike and Karen, as well. Like most families, holidays and family gatherings in the Smola household are times for catching up and sharing stories. And like many other families that share a similar bond through sports, more often than not the conversation makes its way to family room, where it is continued in front of the best game on television. Though Jared (Dolphins, Blue Jays), Jordy and Tyler (Steelers and Red Sox for both) do not have the same favorite pro football or baseball team as their father (Broncos, Rockies), they all root for the Montreal Canadiens because of their dad. And though Karen does not have a favorite team (besides those her sons play for), she shares the bond just the same. Regardless of what game is one, the time spent together is cherished by all.

One of the most memorable family trips the boys remember came in 2006. They traveled across the northeast to three different cities (Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), checking in for a baseball game at each pro stadium. Along with enjoying a few nights together watching one of the sports they love, they shared many other great times and brought home countless memories that will be surely be recounted at family get-togethers in the future.

“It was Jared’s final year in high school, and that was the last vacation we all took together before we all started going off to college,” said Tyler. “We had so many great times like that, we are fortunate to have such great parents.”

Though Jared, Jordy and Tyler each tread their own path as members of the Greece Odyssey baseball team, they all made their journey portraying the respect, sportsmanship and dignity their parents taught them. Their skills and leadership will surely be missed in 2013, the first time in a decade the Odyssey baseball team will take the field without one of the trio in the lineup.

“All of them were different players who brought something different to the game,” Klimek said. “Jared had a knack for getting on base, had great speed and played a solid second base. Jordy was power hitter and could hit the ball a ton. And Tyler played great defense behind the plate while also performing as a top hitter. The were all very coachable, but more importantly they are all great people. You couldn’t ask to have three better boys, and that is what it is all about.”