19 May 2020
Track Standout Smith Of SAU To Give Inspirational Message To Graduates On ESPN’s The Undefeated HBCU Day Virtual Celebration Saturday
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 19) – Track and Field student-athlete and recent graduate Christian Smith (Atlanta, GA) of Saint Augustine’s University will appear on a star-studded virtual celebration hosted by ESPN’s The Undefeated on Saturday, May 23.The project – titled HBCU Day – will celebrate 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. The hashtag #UndefeatedHBCUDay will be utilized.
Numerous well-known African-American figures from the political, sports and entertainment world, including former President Barack Obama, will congratulate the graduates and give inspirational messages. Smith is among 22 HBCU ambassadors and valedictorians, including six from CIAA schools, scheduled to give encouraging messages to the 2020 graduates.
The program will also include 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. The complete list of politicians and celebrities are included in the attached press release from The Undefeated.
Smith, who sports a 3.25 grade point average, graduated last Friday 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 which explores the intersections of sports, race and culture.