New center honoring Andrew Smith to focus on Indiana's fiscal policy

by David Woods for the Indianapolis Star. ​​david.woods@indystar.com
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2017/01/11/new-center-honoring-andrew-smith-focus-indianas-fiscal-policy/96455252/

A center focusing on Indiana’s tax and budget priorities has been created by the Indiana Family Institute in honor of former Butler basketball player Andrew Smith.

The Andrew Smith Center For Family Prosperity was announced Wednesday, coinciding with the anniversary of Smith’s death. He died Jan. 12, 2016. He was 25.

The campaign is titled 4-44. Smith wore jersey No. 44, and the four-year goal is to raise $440,000. More than $200,000 has been pledged, according to the Indiana Family Institute. Smith’s father, Curt, is president of the non-profit, faith-based policy advocacy organization.

PumpJack note: PJ Speaker Curt Smith is the father of Andrew Smith, a standout Butler University student and basketball player who lost his battle with cancer at age 25, one year ago this month. Curt serves as the head of the Indiana Family Institute, which will now host a chair honoring Andrew's conviction that economics is a critical piece of sound public policy impacting the health of Indiana families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family, Butler University and the Indiana Family Institute.