Smith to Join Staff at Jacksonville State
LAKELAND, Fla.-Southeastern University Athletics Director Drew Watson has announced the resignation of Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Communications, Donnie Smith, who is departing for NCAA I Jacksonville State University.
Smith has spent the last 11 years leading the athletic communications department for Fire athletics.
“Donnie has worked faithfully behind the scenes for 11 years and has been a very important part of the evolution of our department over that timeframe,” said Watson. “His versatility and attention to detail has benefitted our student-athletes in so many ways, and his play-by-play talents are second-to-none at any level. While he will be missed, I know I speak for our staff in saying that we are all so proud of him and wish he and Kelly the best as they begin the next chapter in their lives.”
Smith is a two-time Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year (2017 & 2021) and won the NAIA’s National Sports Information Director of the Year in both of those years. He remains the only person to win the NAIA award twice.
“I will forever be grateful to Southeastern University for supporting me and challenging me over the last 11 years in this role,” said Smith. “The opportunity to have a front row seat to so many incredible moments, to build great relationships with coaches and athletes, and to be able to share their stories was special. I’ve been so blessed to have a great group of teammates to work with that has done high-caliber work and made the long days fun. I want to thank my wife Kelly for her encouragement and for tolerating the long nights, the weekends, the road trips, and for her support as we begin this next chapter.”
His influence extends outside of Lakeland, as he currently serves on the Executive Board of College Sports Communicators. He also recently completed his term as past president of the NAIA Sports Information Directors’ Association Executive Board and is a member of the NAIA National Administrative Council.
Smith has always been willing to support the conference and NAIA when called upon, assisting the national office and TV production teams at eight NAIA Football National Championship games, was the media coordinator for the 2016 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship in Delray Beach, Fla., the 2019 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Tennis National Championships in Mobile, Ala. and was the official scorer for the 2017 and 2018 NAIA Softball World Series in Clermont, Fla.
“Donnie has always seen it as his responsibility to share his expertise with not only the conference and the NAIA, but with individuals who have been fortunate enough to cross his path,” added Watson. “He has consistently approached his role of mentor with a selfless, generous spirit. As a result, there are so many around the country who owe him their gratitude for his help with their development in the industry.”
Smith will assume the role of Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations for the Gamecocks, and will be the primary contact for football, bowling, and golf.
“While my proximity may be a little different going forward,” continued Smith, “my hope is the relationships built during my time at Southeastern, in The Sun Conference, and the NAIA continue on.”
What they are saying:
“Donnie has a wealth of knowledge and is an incredible resource to use as my sport manager. My team enjoyed when he could travel with us. He even has his own nickname, DonDon. I appreciate his support of our program and willingness to serve.”
-Caleb Roberts, Fire Women’s Soccer
“Donnie was one of the first to welcome me to SEU and has become a great friend and mentor. His attention to detail in his work elevated the level of our program and set the standard for excellence across our athletic department.
-Travis Patrick, Fire Wrestling
“Donnie is the backbone of SEU athletics. I’ve never seen an SID that is so multi-talented…for any one game he can do the play by play, analyze the stats, take pictures, interview the coach, and post the story on the website. His ability to do all of that with his signature dry sense of humor makes him one of a kind!”
-Adam Waugh, Fire Football
“I’m so thankful for his hard work to cover games and represent our program to make it as professional as possible. His standard of leadership is inspiring and Fire athletics is better because of him!”
-Clay Roberts, Fire Men’s Soccer
“Donnie is the definition of excellence in a collegiate athletic department. He is a great friend and leader in his profession. We have been blessed to have him.”
-BJ Geasa, Assistant AD Sports Medicine
“Donnie’s hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. He finds a way to sneak up on us at our biggest meets of the year and cover us well. The athletes appreciate him and I do too. He is the best in the game.” ??
-Nick Dodson, Fire Track & Field
“Donnie has by far the best wit and sarcasm that I have ever come across, and his ability to still be extremely personal & caring is so unique. He’s incredible at what he does, always provides a laugh, and has truly made an impact on me and this department for a long time!”
-Ashton Wheeler, Assistant AD, Facilities and Game Ops
“Donnie is the ultimate first to serve. He was the first to welcome me when I became Head Coach. I can always count on him to be there to help with anything I might need. He is a first-class guy that does things the right way in a timely manner. He was such a huge asset to SEU athletics.”
-David Joyner, Fire Golf
“Donnie’s strong leadership, as an NAIA Athletic Communication Director, is one of the most important jobs in Athletics and he makes it look so easily done. He is a person of great integrity, faith-filled, and has a great sense of humor unlike anyone else.”
-Sarah Salamin, Athletic Services Coordinator
“Donnie’s knowledge of every sport, work ethic, and ability to troubleshoot any problem is unmatched. However, bigger than losing one of the best SIDs in the country, is losing Donnie as a co-worker. He has been such an encouragement to me and a joy to work with. Quick to make a joke and always self-deprecating, he puts others first. Donnie and Kelly will be lifelong friends and we are so happy for them as they embark on this new journey.”
-Drew Dickens, Fire Tennis
“For years I’ve admired Fire athletics from a far, largely based on his excellent coverage of the department. Getting to work up close with Donnie over the last year and get to know him as a person and professional has meant a great deal to me and I’m grateful I get to call him a friend.”
-Brittney Kellar, Associate AD
“There is no question, Donnie has been the standard setter for how things should be done in an athletic department- consistent excellence, the upmost professionalism, always people centered, and always with a touch of humor. We have all benefited greatly from who he is as a professional and as a person!”
-Kayla Watkins, Fire Softball
“During the time I have known Donnie he has caused the bar to be raised when it comes to sports information. I remember hearing Donnie call a sporting event and thinking “why is this guy not on tv or radio”? Other schools we compete with, wish they had a Donnie Smith! Personally, Donnie in his “Donnie way” always makes me feel that he cares about me as a person and is always willing to help any way he can. He will be missed!”
-Paul Kurtz, Fire Cross Country