Welcome to SZN Opener, the dynamic podcast collection that spotlights Black faculty athletes, exploring their triumphs and challenges alongside their sports activities journeys.
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This week on SZN Opener, Howard College’s Marcus Smith Jr. sat down with host Rodney Rikai to speak faculty golf. In his 1-on-1 with Rikai, the rising star mirrored on becoming a member of the historic HBCU’s golf program and what he loves concerning the sport.
Since 2019, Howard’s younger however mighty Division I golf program has been gaining momentum. Simply final April, Howard received the Northeast Convention (NEC) Males’s Golf Championship, with Smith and three of his teammates named to the NEC All-Match Crew. Underneath the management of head coach Sam Puryear and a partnership with NBA champion Stephen Curry, Howard’s golf program is getting the popularity it deserves.
Smith’s love for golf is grounded in household
“Rising up, golf was that sport that stored me with my household. That’s the place the love for golf got here from, as a result of I used to be capable of play with the older technology. I assumed that was so enjoyable, having the ability to spend time with my grandfather, my uncles, my father … I can nonetheless go to the vary with them,” stated the Howard senior.
From a younger age, Smith’s father acknowledged his son’s curiosity in golf and inspired him to maintain enjoying. “I’ll all the time take it again to golf as a result of that’s the one real love,” stated the Rockford, Illinois native.
As a pupil athlete at Winnebago Excessive Faculty, Smith was a four-time captain, three-time particular person convention champion, three-time regional champion, the 2018 Illinois Excessive Faculty Affiliation (IHSA) particular person state champion, and extra. Whereas he felt like an “outlier due to golf” when it got here to his friends, Smith caught with the game. “They didn’t actually grasp the idea of golf and weren’t understanding of it,” he stated.
Smith began his faculty profession at Japanese Michigan
When Smith’s preliminary plans to attend the College of Michigan fell by way of, he landed at Japanese Michigan College. He began faculty in 2020, simply as the worldwide pandemic had compelled the world to close down.
Navigating these years—social distancing from his household, friends, and teammates, and never having the ability to play an everyday season—proved to be a difficult time for the scholar athlete.
After spending his freshman and sophomore years at EMU, Smith was prepared to maneuver on. “I used to be glad to have a fairly good season my sophomore yr,” he stated. “I used to be prepared to depart Japanese Michigan.”
Howard supplied an thrilling alternative for the younger golfer
EMU distinguished alumni and athlete, Robert “Doc” Sims, helped coordinate Smith’s switch. Sims noticed a future for the younger athlete with Howard’s golf program. As a corridor of famer who’s credited with breaking the colour barrier in EMU males’s basketball, Sims was instrumental in serving to Smith navigate his subsequent chapter. “His identify is up on the corridor of fame,” Smith stated.
Howard College introduced an thrilling alternative to work with head coach Sam Puryear, whose teaching profession produced a number of convention titles, championships, and Coach of the 12 months honors. After talking with Puryear, Smith knew he belonged at Howard. “I couldn’t let that chance move me by.”
“He (Puryear) doesn’t need to play along with your swing or something like that. He simply needs to work in your psychological. And I really feel like that’s what I wanted most,” stated Smith. “When you can perceive that it’s a recreation and you’ll restrict your feelings and keep strategically in it, you may take it far. That’s what he brings. He provides you every little thing you want to achieve success.”
Additionally on this episode of SZN Opener, Smith mentioned navigating NIL alternatives, Howard’s historic homecoming, and variety in golf.
Catch the total episode with Marcus Smith Jr. above. Take heed to this episode of SZN Opener on the City One Podcast Community or your favourite podcast streaming platform. Or take a look at the visible podcast on the Cassius Life YouTube channel.
In regards to the ‘SZN Opener’ podcast
SZN Opener returns with brand-new episodes for season 3, showcasing the brightest up-and-coming Black pupil athletes in faculty sports activities immediately. Hosted by dynamic on-air character Rodney Rikai, this podcast options in-depth interviews with athletes sharing their tales of onerous work, character, and excellence each on and off the enjoying discipline. As they navigate demanding schedules and plan for careers past commencement, these faculty athletes present focus and dedication in each side of their lives. Tune in to SZN Opener and uncover extra on CassiusLife.com.
