Each morning, as the Smit family heads off in different directions, they repeat a familiar phrase: “Today is going to be a good day.” Rooted in their faith in God, the words reflect how Greg and Rebecca Smit approach daily life, from parenting and teaching to coaching and serving others in their community.

That same message appears on the wall in the back of Greg’s classroom. He often uses this phrase with his students. Greg says, “I tell my students that we always have the option to start over when our day isn’t going well and to make it a good day. It’s a reminder that we are in control of how we react to daily challenges. We have the opportunity to be the reason why someone smiles and to make each day a good day for someone else by spreading joy.”

That perspective extends beyond the classroom to fields and courts throughout Ripon. Over the past 15 years, families whose children have participated in baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, or flag football have likely encountered Coach Greg. He has coached 116 teams and counting through Park View Elementary School, the City of Ripon, and Little League.

Greg says, “I choose to coach all of these teams because I feel called to spread the love and joy of Jesus to our youth.” Greg is known not only for his knowledge of the game, but also for his calm, steady demeanor and ability to encourage kids both on and off the field.

“Coaches have the unique opportunity to inspire kids and teach life lessons through a game that the kids love. It’s not just a matter of learning Xs and Os. It is about instilling a passion for the game, teaching them how to become leaders on and off the field/court, and helping them develop a strong work ethic to succeed at the next level. I tell every team I have coached that they can control two things in life: their attitude and their effort. Bring a positive attitude, no matter what went on during your day, and never let anyone else outwork you.”

At home, Greg and Rebecca are blessed with three children: Ashton, 15, a freshman at Ripon High School; Easton, 12, a seventh grader at Park View; and Gianna, 8, a third grader at Park View. Together, they are grateful to be raising their children in the same community where Greg grew up. The kids are involved in year-round sports and music, and one of the family’s favorite traditions is traveling to Lake Tahoe, particularly during the celebrity golf tournament.

Time spent together and gathered with others is central to their family life. They enjoy opening their home to friends and extended family and believe strongly in the value of shared meals and meaningful conversation. Many of those traditions were shaped by Greg’s mother, Patty Smit, who played a central role in their family and was well known throughout the community. She passed away in 2017, but her influence remains through traditions held in her honor, including an annual Banket Baking Day with Opa (Dale Smit) and a St. Patty's Day tea.

At Mistlin Park, a memorial bench bearing Patty Smit’s name reflects her final words: “Today is going to be a good day.” The phrase has become part of the family’s daily rhythm. Each morning, as they go their separate ways, the Smits repeat the reminder together, grounded in their belief that God gives the gift of each new day and that how they use it matters.

Faith remains central to the family’s life. Rebecca serves in the children’s ministry at Calvary Reformed Church, and Ashton plays drums on the worship team. All three children are involved in student ministries, where they continue to grow in their faith and build strong relationships.

That grounding in faith and service is part of a much longer story. The Smit family’s connection to Ripon dates back to 1935, when Greg’s grandfather moved to town from Colorado. Years later, Clarence Smit would play a key role in shaping the city itself, serving as Ripon’s city administrator from 1973 until 1988. During his tenure, he was instrumental in securing state grant funding to build the original museum at Stouffer Park. He passed away shortly before the museum opened, which was later named in his honor.

Greg grew up in Ripon and developed a love for sports at an early age. He attended church at Heartland (formerly Bethany Covenant) and was involved in the youth groups at both Heartland and Calvary. During high school, he went on mission trips to Mexico with both churches. It was during those trips and his interactions with the young kids that he realized God was calling him to be a teacher. He graduated from Ripon High School, where he was named homecoming king. Greg often jokes that he had to look outside of Ripon to find a wife since it felt like he was related to just about everyone in town.

Rebecca grew up in Modesto, graduated from Downey High School, and began babysitting at a young age. She also helped with youth at church, served as a tour guide for school groups at the Hershey Chocolate Factory (Oakdale), and always knew she wanted to work with kids.

Greg and Rebecca met at a college group gathering of several churches in the area. They recognized each other from Stanislaus State, where they both attended the Liberal Studies program. Their shared faith and passion for working with kids quickly drew them together. They were married in July 2005, and Rebecca received her classroom keys on the night of their rehearsal dinner. She has been teaching at her former elementary school, Lakewood School in Modesto, ever since. Greg began teaching fourth grade at Park View Elementary School in 2007 and started coaching there in 2010.

The Smit family remains active in Ripon’s long-standing traditions and community events, including the Almond Blossom Festival, Main Street Day, the Turkey Trail Run, and the Taste of Ripon. For them, these moments reinforce the relationships and rhythms that shape daily life.

For the Smits, Ripon is more than a place to live. It is where their faith is lived out, where generations of their family have invested time and care, and where they continue to serve others each day.