Track standout Smith of SAU among athletes and celebrities giving inspiring messages on ESPN’s The Undefeated
RALEIGH – Track and Field student-athlete and recent graduate Christian Smith (Atlanta, Ga) of Saint Augustine’s University appeared on a star-studded virtual program hosted by ESPN’s The Undefeated on Saturday, May 23.
The program – titled HBCU Day – celebrated the 2020 graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a collection of videos, messages and written content shared all day on The Undefeated’s various social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) and presented on its website, www.TheUndefeated.com, using the hashtag #UndefeatedHBCUDay.
Numerous well-known African American figures from the political, sports and the entertainment world, including former President Barack Obama, congratulated the graduates and gave inspirational messages. Smith is among 22 HBCU ambassadors and valedictorians, including six from CIAA schools, who gave encouraging messages to the 2020 graduates.
The program also included U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, actor Anthony Anderson, Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, current NFL player Tarik Cohen, and CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.
Smith, who sports a 3.25 grade point average, graduated May 15 from SAU with a sport management degree. A well-rounded student-athlete, Smith was an All-American in the 110-meter hurdles for the prestigious SAU track & field program, which has won 39 NCAA Division II national titles under legendary Head Coach George Williams. Active in the community, Smith read books to elementary school kids in his hometown last summer.
The Undefeated is ESPN’s multi-content platform that explores the intersections of sports, race and culture.