Story by Courtney Craun


Four years ago senior Kelli Smith was planning to give up basketball and head to an SEC university with intentions of joining a sorority and living a traditional student lifestyle.

On Oct. 29, the 5-foot-5 guard played the last season-opener of her college basketball career at Lipscomb University.

She’ll finish this season and basketball will be a part of a college experience full of growth and memorable experiences, she said.

Smith never planned on being a college athlete. As a senior at Lipscomb Academy, she said she did not believe the college athlete lifestyle was for her. Then, when it was almost too late to do anything about it, she had a change of heart.

“When my season ended my senior year of high school, I realized I wasn’t ready to let it go,” Smith said.

Knowing it was too late for typical recruitment, Smith approached former Lipscomb basketball coach Frank Bennett, who told her there were no remaining spots on their roster. She also approached a coach at Belmont University, who told her she could only join the team after being a manager for a year.

Smith said she had almost given up hope.

“I remember telling my dad that I was tired of talking to coaches and being rejected,” Smith said. “I basically said that I was done trying, and if it was meant to happen then God would make it happen.”

One month later, Smith received a call from the newly appointed head coach of the Lipscomb team, Greg Brown, who allowed her the opportunity to walk on the team her freshman year. Following that year, Smith earned a full athletic scholarship to the university, a feat which Smith describes as her “greatest accomplishment.”

Her experience as a college basketball player has given her many opportunities to grow as an individual and as a team player, she said.

One of the most memorable experiences for her was a visit from the Navy SEALs. The SEALs sat the team down for an hour to talk about teamwork, perseverance and relentlessly seeking excellence before pushing them to their physical limits in a grueling training-camp style workout.

“The whole point to it was to use your team to get through it, to take your mind completely away from the pain that your body feels and think about the person next to you,” Smith said of the message delivered by the SEALs.

Smith said she believes playing a sport creates a bond among teammates not found anywhere else, and it has inspired her to commit to them by managing her time carefully and exercising self-discipline.

“It seriously is such an awesome and powerful way to look at life because nothing about this life is for me,” Smith said. “It’s my job to serve God and to serve others. Life isn’t ever going to be easy, but if you fight through for your family and for your friends, it’s all so worth it.

“I’m positive it’s where I’m supposed to be.”

Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics

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