Originally from Oregon, Missy Smith attended Oregon State University, where she played basketball and softball. Now, she advocates for younger athletes. This interview conducted by Samara Day for MEDA 240.
Smith will speak at 11:45 in Marsh second floor auditorium on Wednesday, October 28
Samara Day: Where are you from?
Missy Smith: I’m originally from Forest Grove. I went to high school there. And then in Oregon, my whole life went to Oregon State, and I ended up working in Oregon. I haven’t left the state.
SD: Tell me more about yourself. What you do?
MS: I’m at the Oregon Schools Activities Association in my fourth year. I oversee all of volleyball, all basketball leagues, volleyball, softball, and all the student leadership in our state. We have 300 schools that I oversee, and then I’m not coaching anymore; all I’m doing is making sure that they’re all in compliance. They’re all following eligibility, or we answer questions on eligibility compliance. And then I set up all the state championships around the state for all levels, one through six, for the sports program. We just really try to work on projects and give them intentional leadership opportunities.
SD: Besides overseeing a lot of sports in different schools. What is your relationship with sports?
MS: I played everything I could get my hands on in grade school, in high school. I was lucky enough to go to Oregon State, and I played basketball and softball at Oregon State, which
paid for all my undergrad schooling. I got a job coaching college right out of college. I’ve really been involved in athletics for as long as I can remember, probably since I was a kid. Growing up, I had to play with the boys. There wasn’t a program for girls out there.
SD: You said there were mainly boys’ teams when you started playing everything. So how did you cope with that?
MS: Yeah, fourth-fifth grade I was the tallest of all the boys, so that helped. Basketball was the big thing that I did with the boys. But I kind of was a tomboy, and I was like, I’ll just fit in and play sports and get in and mix it up. I never was intimidated, ever. But I didn’t know any different because when I started, I just had to play with all the boys.
SD: What values guide your career decisions and how have they shaped your
professional path?
MS: Guidelines that I would say, I mean, I’m a big people person. I’m a leader who believes you do things not just for money and fame and fortune; it’s more about the process of reteaching. I
believe in, you know, integrity, like doing it. Those are a lot of the things that shaped me. I really
believe in having your values. To me, arts are what drives me. I believe, you know, integrity is
one thing that controls my attitude.
SD: With your track record in sports, how have you been able to inspire both coaches
and athletes to achieve their full potential?
MS: I would probably say by supporting them. I spend a lot of time with those coaches talking about what’s tough for them, maybe understanding where their shortfalls were. What are some skills that we can help you with? I think with athletes it’s a lot of belief, a lot of confidence, a lot of mental health things, giving them some grace to, you know, get some breaks in there and, and do some things. But I think the biggest support is just being with people skills, like just spending
time getting to know them. And once you have those relationships, conversations can be a lot
more honest.
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