John Smith has never been one to sit around.

But after he underwent triple bypass heart surgery two weeks ago, Eastern’s Associate Athletic Director for Development had no other choice.

“I’ve never been much of a TV watcher or a book reader,” Smith, 50, said. “But when you have something like that it scares you enough to slow you down. I’m anxious to get back to work though.”

He recovered rapidly from the Oct. 30 procedure and might return to his Lantz Arena office as early as the end of this week. Smith watched the first half of the football team’s 55-43 win over Tennessee-Martin Saturday at O’Brien Stadium against friends and coworkers wishes.

“We tried to get him not to come, but he really wanted to do it and we couldn’t stop him,” Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie said. “We were concerned about germs and all the commotion there.”

But Smith insisted McDuffie has little to worry about.

“I’m trying not to overdo it,” Smith said. “I am feeling pretty good right now and I think I’m in good shape.” Smith will visit his heart surgeon Nov. 21 and believes he will get a clean bill of health.

“It’s a slow recovery process, but I feel very fortunate,” Smith said. “I think that 10 or 15 years ago I wouldn’t be alive. It’ll definitely change my lifestyle a bit, though.”

Smith acheived record levels of fund rasing since he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Development in 1997. He was promoted to his current position this year. He is in charge of the Panther Club, Eastern’s off-campus booster organization and has coordinated the last six spring fund-raising drives which have brought in a total of $2 million.

Smith was Panther head football coach Bob Spoo’s first hire to his coaching staff. He was Eastern’s defensive coordinator for 11 years. He played football at University of Wisconsin for four years.

“Kim Dameron (a former Eastern assistant coach with Smith and current Stephen F. Austin assistant) called me to wish me well and said, ‘You’ve just seen too many bombs thrown over your defensive backs’ heads and too many bad losses,'” Smith said. “Twenty years of college football – that’s my scar.”