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March 2025: Visit with Smith Club Softball Team & Athletic Leadership

We had a fantastic visit from the Smith Softball team on their “day off” from back-to-back games in Orlando. Lisa Black, Alum and Trustee hosted the team, coaches, several parents and members of the Smith Club of the Treasure Coast for a luncheon and discussion on sports at Smith.

After opening remarks welcoming the team, Kelsey Hunter (’17) Assistant Athletic Director for Equity, Inclusion, and Student-Athlete Well-Being, spoke about athletics at Smith and how the “grind & grit” necessary to be an athlete means the know-how to succeed. She pointed out that historically women were expected to “be small”, but Smith athletes “know how to take up space”. She shared that recruiters who come to campus to interview students always seek out the athletes. She ended with a comment we all understood, “ You should never underestimate a Smithie.”

Head Coach Emily Lopez, now in her 11th season, spoke about what a pleasure it is to be coaching in a place where women are a priority. Smith sets such a high standard. The athletes across all the sports support each other and come to watch games. Students are encouraged to try lots of different activities across a broad spectrum.

Team members Piper Corey ’25 and AisLinn Knutson ’26 spoke about their experiences and how much they both loved Smith and the softball team. They spoke about how they, and so many other Smithies are “overinvolved” in activities from sports to student government to the arts, and about what an incredible thing it is. They recognized that sports are not forever, but that they provide such great support for other life skills.