• Black History Month: Gene Smith Pioneered a Path for Representation in College Athletics Administration

  • Feb 13 2025
  • Length: 30 mins
  • Podcast

Black History Month: Gene Smith Pioneered a Path for Representation in College Athletics Administration

Listen for free

View show details

  • Summary

  • Send us a comment about the Be a Baller Podcast Episode. Thanks for support.

    Gene Smith, a Division I athletic director for nearly 40 years was a trailblazer for Black college administrators. In 1986 when he earned his first athletic director job, he was one of two Black Division I-A athletic directors. Through his diversity and inclusion efforts, Smith has played a big role in administrators from underrepresented groups earning athletic director jobs themselves.

    Gene Smith’s true legacy can be seen in his diverse pipeline around the country including, Patrick Chun became the first Asian American AD at a Power 5 school when Washington State hired him in 2018; Martin Jarmond spent three years as Boston College’s AD before heading to UCLA in 2020. BenJay spent a stint as Hawaii’s AD for two years and is now the CFO for the Big West Conference; Heather Lyke was hired as Pittsburgh’s AD in 2017, Diana Sabau hired as Utah State’s next AD and TJ Shelton was hired as Case Western Reserve’s AD in 2022.

    Gene Smith a true door opener for Black College Administrators at the Power 5 Level and throughout all of college athletics.

    Support the show
    Show More Show Less
Show More Show Less

What listeners say about Black History Month: Gene Smith Pioneered a Path for Representation in College Athletics Administration

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.