"My early involvement (in CoSIDA) has stepped up my game. It’s been amazing to meet men and women who have been in this industry for years and adapted to its evolution. I’m grateful that CoSIDA has been so quick to welcome me and so receptive to the questions and opinions I have as a college student wanting to go into athletic communications."
Kalie Smith – Baylor athletics communications student intern
Kalie Smith is a CoSIDA undergraduate student member and is a junior at Baylor University. Upcoming this fall, she will be completing her final year as a journalism/public relations intern at Baylor, graduating in May 2023.
Smith has worked in the Bears’ athletic communications office since the beginning of her freshman year. Smith has already taken advantage of opportunities to work at big events such as the Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four.
Kalie Smith volunteered at the 2022 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Kansas City. It was her first major event working outside of Baylor, and as she said, “It was a dream come true as a college basketball fan. I met so many great people and I went to Joe’s Kansas City Barb-B-Que. If you’re ever in KC, you have to get their Z-Man sandwich!”
What made you decide to major in journalism/public relations at Baylor?
KS: I originally came to Baylor as a business major. While I had spent the three years before Baylor exploring sports journalism and gaining experience with my high school paper, I had no idea what I wanted to do or that sports journalism was an option for me. I joined Baylor Athletics Communications my freshman year just to have a little extra money.
As I kept working, I found I loved every aspect of my job, even the grunt work like labeling photos or running stats. The shiny glow of college athletics never seemed to fade. That’s when I decided to switch my major to journalism so that I could fully pursue athletic communications as a career.
What are some of your favorite parts of working in the Baylor athletics media relations office?
KS: There’s something special about Baylor. I love its culture, our motivation in Christ, and the community that it is with great people. I love being able to represent that as an employee for Baylor athletics communications. I get to take part in that special experience of a Baylor game from behind the scenes, while helping make that happen in some small way. I also appreciate what a great learning environment I have working within athletics communications. I have been given every opportunity to learn, whether writing press releases or helping produce gameday content for the defending national men’s basketball champions, or being able to serve as a contact at a photo shoot or tournament. This office has made space for me and continues to push me in honing my abilities as a future SID.
How have you been able to balance working in the media relations office with your school work?
KS: Our office really encourages us to be students first. We’re able to sign up for events that work with our schedule. I find they make it really easy. When volunteering, my journalism professors are supportive. They encourage us in taking the extra step to set up our careers and are willing to work with us as long as we communicate.
Baylor hosted the first and second rounds of the 2022 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Waco. Kalie Smith helped produce in-game notes for the attending media.
Who have been some of your most influential mentors at Baylor and outside of Baylor? How have they helped you throughout your college experience?
KS: My biggest mentors at Baylor have been all of the full timers in the BU athletics communications office. Each of them have made space for me to learn and gain more experience, but especially (associate director) Max Calderone, who handles baseball, equestrian and assists with football.
I served as Baylor equestrian’s secondary contact, so I worked a lot with Max. He was quick to hand over opportunities to take on more and learn the field. Max took every question I had and shared his own experience as from when he was a student trying to become an SID. I appreciated his feedback and his encouragement. I can confidently say I am better equipped for my chosen career because of him.
Outside of Baylor, I met Jason Hendrix of James Moore and Co. Higher Ed through CoSIDA’s mentorship program. He is a former SID and has been the biggest help when it comes to understanding the options I have to crack into this industry and helping me put myself in the best position to do so. Jason has connected me to so many people that made my junior year the unbelievable year that it has been.
My biggest mentor is my mom. She’s the one who validates my feelings and encourages me when I’m tired and frustrated ready to question what’s the point of it all. She’s pushed me to chase my biggest dreams and cheered me on as I’ve pursued them.
You've gotten involved with CoSIDA very quickly, something that very few college students in athletic communications do. What have been some of the benefits of your early involvement?
KS: My early involvement has stepped up my game. It was through meeting Jason Hendrix and (CoSIDA Director of Membership Engagement) Laurie Bollig that I learned about student volunteer opportunities and eventually went on to work at several of them. It’s been amazing to meet men and women who have been in this industry for years and adapted to its evolution. I’m grateful that CoSIDA has been so quick to welcome me and so receptive to the questions and opinions I have as a college student wanting to go into athletic communications. I also appreciate the opportunity to understand how this industry works from a more bureaucratic standpoint.
What are some things you are hoping to accomplish in your senior year of college?
KS: I really want to continue the momentum from my junior year. After spending my sophomore year at home due to COVID-19, I came back to Waco certain that I wanted a career in athletic communications and ready to do whatever it took to make that happen. I started branching out this year, starting with joining CoSIDA. I’ve been able to meet great people and volunteer at some pretty big events like the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament and Men’s Basketball Final Four. I want to keep volunteering and experience more events like the Final Four, but I also want to finish strong.
The opportunity I was given in Baylor Athletics Communications has changed my life. I want to make sure that when I close that door I know that there’s nothing unfinished, no regret that I didn’t push hard enough or take advantage of the resources they gave me. I’ve learned a lot this year, but I plan to learn even more, ask every question that comes up as I experience more, and just enjoy it. I’m only in this season of life as a student, getting to explore the industry one time.
Kalie Smith sends a lot of on-the-job selfies to her mother. This one was taken during halftime of her favorite men’s basketball game of the season - Kansas at Baylor. ESPN’s College GameDay was there, and Baylor took the victory. Smith was courtside waiting to capture Instagram content.
What challenges have you faced so far as a woman working in the male-dominated industry of collegiate athletic communications?
KS: I’ve been really blessed with the environment I have been placed in. I’ve never felt disrespected or disregarded at Baylor. It wasn’t until I started branching out, outside of Baylor, that I began to see how hard it could be as a woman in athletic communications. Assumption and bias are a part of human nature. The old saying goes don’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s unrealistic. We make snap judgements because it’s the cover that helps us determine if we’re going to read the book.
The biggest challenge as woman in a male-dominated industry is knowing that assumptions will be made about your motivation and your knowledge. I think the key is knowing what your motivation and knowledge really are and moving forward and holding true to that. It’s going to take them awhile to see or they may never see it at all, but be patient and rest assured that their bias has no impact on who you are or your capabilities.
If there was one place you could travel to right now, where would it be and why?
KS: I can very easily say I would travel to England. I have always been interested in its history, specifically its monarchy. I love reading new facts on the Wars of the Roses, understanding the lineage that led to Queen Elizabeth II and the evolution of the monarch’s role. There’s something about the deep sense of duty and service surrounding the crown, at least historically, that draws me in. I would want to see Westminster Abbey where so many kings and queens of old were crowned and buried. While the roles of royals have been redefined recently, I respect what they were and what their history represented.
What is your favorite book or podcast series right now?
KS: My favorite podcast is Becoming Something with Jonathan Pokluda. JP is the head pastor at my church, Harris Creek. He hosts it along with Nate Hilgenkamp and Kathy Davidson, who lead our college ministry. They give very practical and biblical advice on how to live as a young adult according to Christ. I find myself learning something new or being convicted every episode. It is a 10/10 on the recommend list!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
KS: This might be the stereotypical SID answer, but I spend a lot of time listening to sports takes. One of my favorite to listen to is RJ Young on the No. 1 Ranked Show. He focuses on collegiate sports (football to be specific). When I’m not at an event or reading every piece of sports news I can get my hand on, I’m most likely at church. Whether I’m going to a meeting for youth ministry or attending Bible study or just our monthly college service the Lab. I think it’s safe to say I spend more time there than at home! I’ve met most of my friends through Harris Creek.
If we’re not at church, we’re probably grabbing coffee or something to eat together. I just really enjoy spending time with my friends. When I can, I like to go home or meet my family on the road as they travel to my brother’s basketball games.
What's your best advice for your fellow female college students that are considering or pursuing careers in collegiate athletic communications?
KS: Take every opportunity that comes your way. It’s amazing how sometimes things just sort of open up to you. Don’t be timid when the door opens. Walk through it proudly and unashamedly of yourself. It can be difficult to feel 100% at ease when you’re surrounded by men, but know that you are enough. Your knowledge, your experience, you are enough. You’ll find that when you’re at peace with yourself and put together a body of work that you’re proud of, the respect of others comes naturally.