A TRIBUTE & CELEBRATION TO THE LEGEND.

Blessed with a distinctive voice, Ira C. Smith had been the “Sports Voice of the Napa Valley” between KVON and KVYN since 1976.

Ira got his start in broadcasting while serving in the military where a major who liked the sound of his voice assigned him to the Army Public Information Office. After Ira’s military service was complete, he went on to be the radio announcer for the University of Michigan football program.

While Ira’s talents have been put to work as the arena announcer for the Sacramento Kings, and in voice-overs for the NBA 2K2 video game, fortunately, it is Napa where he made his home. In Ira’s career, he announced over 600 football and 1,300 basketball games for our local Napa high schools.

For his contributions to the Sports scene, he was induced into the Napa High School Athletics, the Vintage High School Athletics, and the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fames. In addition, Napa City Council recognized September 10, 2022 as “Ira C. Smith Day.”

We will never forget the impact you made on Napa Sports for 48 seasons, Ira C. Sports!

A public Celebration of Life highlighting Ira’s life, career and commitment to the Napa Valley will be taking place on Saturday, August 24th at 11:00 AM at Messner Gym on the campus of Napa High School (2475, Jefferson Street, Napa).

Mark Ibañez, former Sports Anchor at KTVU channel 2 & current Sports Contributor on KVYN The Vine, remembers Ira:

💝💙