From whence we came... Lewisville ISD Education Foundation was founded in 1990 to enrich the quality of public education in the 13 communities served by LISD and serves as a vehicle for securing private funding benefiting LISD teachers and students. The Foundation was created to support excellence in education by establishing and distributing supplemental funds in designated program areas and supporting priority projects identified by LISD for which tax dollars are not available. Funding does not replace or alter use of funds from traditional tax-base sources. All contributions stay in Lewisville ISD and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Without the foresight of and foundation laid by LISD administrators and members of the LISD Board of Trustees, LISD would not enjoy the funding LEF provides -- almost $300,000 this school year alone to students and educators in LISD and more than $2.5 million since LEF's founding in 1990. Foundation Focus will dedicate space each month to share the legacy of those who laid the foundation for LISD and LEF to exist as they do today, as well as the stories of those currently at the helm.

This story is third in an ongoing series. Previous subjects were Clayton Downing and Marjorie Vickery.

Max Goldsmith, LISD Athletic Director (1966-1983)

A 1940 graduate of Lewisville High School (LHS), Max Goldsmith returned to LISD in 1966 after a very successful 20-year career in Andrews, Texas, where he built from scratch an athletics program that ultimately set national records in track and field.

When he was hired, LISD was home to one high school and one middle school. By the time he retired in 1983, what is now Marcus High School (MHS) was the ninth grade campus for LHS, and things were being put in place to transition MHS into a comprehensive high school and open another comprehensive high school in The Colony (TCHS).

Goldsmith oversaw tremendous growth and change to the athletic programs during his 17-year tenure in LISD. Dealing with growing enrollment and static facilities, planning for future facilities, and adding new sports including swimming, wrestling and soccer earned him a place in LISD history.

"He was really the founder and developer of the athletics program in LISD," former LISD Assistant Superintendent Doug Killough said. "When Max came back to Lewisville the district was poised for growth and change, and he cast the vision for where we could go and oversaw the implementation."

He laid the foundation for LISD athletics to succeed in the face of tremendous growth that would come just after his retirement in 1983 by adding programs and planning for new facilities, as well as putting in place key personnel who would leave legacies of their own.

"Before he retired, he hired Neal Wilson as a football coach," former LISD Assistant Athletic Director Rody Durham explained. "That set the stage for tremendous success in LISD athletics in the upcoming years.

Today, on the campus of Lewisville High School, stands a stadium that was part of his vision.

"When Max was hired in 1966, planning was in the works for a new campus for LHS," Durham explained. "He was instrumental in the planning and building of the athletic stadium on the campus. It was a very modern stadium when it was built, and included one of the first all-weather tracks in the metroplex," no doubt a nod to Goldsmith's background in track and field.

In 1987 that same stadium was renamed in his honor, and in 1988 he was inducted into the LHS alumni Hall of Fame. Maybe in part because he oversaw the stadium construction. Perhaps in part due to his role in navigating growth and change in LISD and leaving a firm foundation on which LISD athletics would continue to thrive in the face of tremendous growth and change shortly after his retirement. But certainly, one of the greatest factors is this homegrown legacy's love of the game and continued involvement in encouraging student success.

“What people may not realize is that Max’s involvement in LISD athletics continues even now, more than 30 years after his retirement," LHS Principal Jeff Kajs said. "In my time at LHS it has never been unusual to see him at school events, such as the homecoming parade. He even sits on the committee to select the LHS Hall of Fame recipient. Of course, it is rare for Max to miss a Friday Night Farmers football game. He’s a man who retired from his paying job, but never stopped encouraging LHS and LISD students and athletes to be the best they could be.”

A legacy of keen foresight, foundation building and ongoing investments in the students of LISD is the Max Goldsmith legacy. Generations of students and student athletes in LISD will be indebted to his years of efforts on their behalf.