“Local dealership, local commitment” is a long-held value
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln has been involved with youth soccer since co-owner Brian Smith and others started the local program in the late 1970s. It’s a commitment to community the dealership continues today.
Brian Smith, one of the founders of youth soccer in Mount Pleasant and former co-owner of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, now lives in Florida.
Former Central Michigan men’s soccer coach Jim Hornak was one of the driving forces behind the start of youth soccer in Mount Pleasant in the 1970s.
T-shirts, soccer balls and homemade goals were part of the youth soccer movement in the 1970s. That’s Brian Smith in the back row, far right.
Smith was born and raised in England, where soccer was big. In his 20s, he moved to Denmark and played on a semi-pro team. After life brought him to Mount Pleasant and he became a co-owner of the Krapohl dealership. With a son interested in soccer, he figured it was time area children had a chance to play the sport he loves.
He partnered with then-Central Michigan University club soccer coach Jim Hornak and the Mt. Pleasant Optimist Cub. More than 700 boys and girls, ages 5 to 13, signed up to play the first year, on Sundays at fields set up at Pullen Elementary. The goals were made from discarded oil field pipe.
“We only charged a small amount, and we never turned a kid away,” Smith said. “The Optimist Club always kicked in money. Krapohl would buy the shirts and kids picked them up at the dealership.”
Hornak, who went on to be the CMU men’s varsity coach from 1978-1992, relied on CMU’s club players to serve as referees. Some players also conducted clinics and helped coach. The turnout from the community surprised Hornak.
“It amazed us, actually,” he said. “Parents didn’t know much about soccer other than it was a great activity for kids.”
In 1984, Smith helped start the Mt. Pleasant High School boys’ team and a year later spurred the addition of a girls’ team.
That involvement continues today, with the Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club one of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s 12 community partners this year. This week, Mark Smith, a third-generation owner of the dealership and Brian Smith’s son, said Krapohl will again sponsor the purchase of soccer balls for youth soccer.
The club is featured on one of Krapohl’s new “Local Dealership; Local Commitment” billboards. It also has received a donation from Krapohl for scholarships and awards, in part for children and families struggling to afford soccer due to the pandemic.
Jim Hornak towers over one of the first youth soccer teams in the 1970s. Boys and girls were welcome to play in the new program.
“When I got to Mount Pleasant, I played racquetball and handball at the university,” Brian Smith said. “I met Jim Hornak and learned about his work with CMU’s soccer club. His son, Dave, was about Mark (Smith’s) age — about 10 or 11. And we both said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a program here?’ ”
Hornak’s club team also donated old soccer balls to the new junior league.
Today, more than 250 youth participate in Mt. Pleasant soccer, through the club and high school.
“Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is invested in the families of our community,” said Joshua Smith, Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club president (and not a relative of the Krapohl Smiths). “Brian Smith’s efforts have benefitted thousands of kids. That his son, Mark, continues Krapohl’s investment says much about the dealership and its values.”
Mark Smith said youth sports teach children to work in teams and care for each other, to be leaders, and to be physically fit.
“We at Krapohl feel a responsibility to children and families. We’re involved because it matters,” said Mark, who was on Mt. Pleasant High School’s first soccer team.
Krapohl is the area’s only remaining, locally owned and operated full-service auto dealership.
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