The CHBS honor highlighted a day for Smith that started in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Smith appeared on a full schedule of SEC Network programming that originated from the site of the Southeastern Conference football matchup between Tennessee and Alabama, then departed from nearby Birmingham on a flight back to his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, before driving north to Radford with his wife, Lainie Smith ’99, and three children.
Smith, who was introduced by Radford Athletics Hall of Fame member and former sports information director Mike Ashley ’83, shared gratitude for the belief that the university’s faculty and staff instilled in him.
“I love this place so much, and so many people have done so much for me here, and the number one thing that I got here at Radford was not just a beautiful education, it was true wisdom on the power of belief,” Smith said. “So often in this life, that’s all we need. We need someone who can look at us and believe. And that infuses us with self-confidence, and then we become indomitable in the quest for what we want.”
Dressed in a blue jacket and tie, with MacFarlane Tartan-printed custom Nike Air Force 1 shoes, Smith pointed his message directly to the students in attendance.
“Y’all who are students, listen to me right now. There is nothing you cannot do,” he exclaimed. “You can do whatever you want to do, and you can do it with this education.”
Well known for his presence as a reporter and host across multiple ESPN networks and platforms, Smith also signed copies of his recently published second book, “Sideline CEO: Leadership Principles from Championship Coaches.”