WATERLOO - Robert Smith used the Bible, basketball and football to urge people Saturday night to try harder, to do better.

The keynote speaker for KBBG Radio's annual banquet challenged those in the audience to take advantage of their own skills and not to waste energy envying what others have.

Smith, director of the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Urban Education, read from the book of Matthew to bring his point home. The parable tells of a master who entrusts his servants with money. He gives more money to two servants in whom he has greater faith, and less to a third servant he trusts less. The master returns later and the first two servants had doubled the investment, while the third had buried the money for safe keeping. The first two are praised by the master, while the third is chastised and his money given to the other servants.

Smith used the story to drive home the point that people are obligated to make full use of their talents, regardless of how many they possess. Those who make use of their talents need to be lauded by the community.

"See, people, we have to recognize those who have been blessed," Smith said.

Smith also related his experiences moonlighting as a basketball referee. He said good officials can't be caught just watching action around the ball. They have to trust others on the officiating team to watch the section of play they are assigned.

"What I see too much in Waterloo is people are ball watchers," Smith said. Too many people are too concerned with the actions of others, and not focusing on improving themselves.

Smith grew up in south Dallas, Texas, before coming north to play football at the University of Iowa. From that rough section of Dallas, Smith recalled a lesson learned from his high school counselor.

"She said, 'Robert, it's not your fault for the situation in which you were born, but it will be your fault for what kind of man you become,'" he said.

In November, KBBG founder Jimmie Porter died from complications of pneumonia. Smith's address was titled "Passing on the Legacy," a title Smith admitted made him a little nervous.

Smith remembered Porter counseling him when he first moved to Waterloo in 1988. Porter warned him people would try to knock him down.

He remembered Porter as a visionary, one who certainly took advantage of all his talents.

As he finished the parable from the book of Matthew, he dwelt on the servants who multiplied the master's money.

"That sounds like Mr. Porter to me," he said.

Contact Jon Ericson at (319) 291-1461 or jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.