Emalee Smith, University of the Ozarks, Women's Basketball - Character & Community

Emalee Smith, University of the Ozarks, Women's Basketball - Character & Community

EMALEE SMITH OF UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS, a junior guard on the women's basketball team from Edmond, Okla., has been selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Character and Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning January 27.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.



University of the Ozarks women’s basketball player Emalee Smith enjoys serving others alongside her fellow athletes.

The junior from Edmond, Oklahoma, provides a strong presence on campus as the campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President. Emalee and other SAAC members have served the community in a number of ways this year.

“We want to give back to our community because they give so much to support us,” said Smith. “This year, we have done a backpack program for local elementary schools. We helped with Operation Christmas Child. We also do themed events for all of our sports on campus so that no one is left out.”

Emalee feels serving others is the least she could do as a supported student-athlete herself.

“Service is super important to me,” she said. “I am able to do it through basketball and SAAC. Service is the least we could do.”

Playing basketball is in her blood – her mother, grandmother and aunts all played basketball. Emalee proudly wears number 31, the same number her family donned.

“It really means a lot to me to play college basketball,” said Smith. “I also get to impact young basketball players during the summer with my job. It’s special to me knowing that I am positively impacting future basketball players.”

Emalee credits the sport she loves for learning valuable life lessons.

“Things will hit you differently while playing just like they will in life,” she said. “Learning how to work through adversity is a life skill.”

Emalee appreciates the work Ozarks’ professors and staff put forth to help students.

“I appreciate the professors and staff on campus,” she said. “They are helpful and they are here to support you. I work with my professors ahead of time so I am able to balance sports and academics. The professors try to accommodate us when things happen. I am super blessed to be here.”

Emalee has excelled in the classroom as a management major. While at Ozarks, she has been on the Dean’s List and President’s List. She was twice named to the American Southwest Conference Academic All-Conference Team.

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