Chad Smith was named Associate Director for Communications in August of 2023. Smith is a strategic communications professional with extensive experience in collegiate athletics, specializing in media relations, digital content strategy, and brand engagement. He has built a career elevating athletic programs through innovative storytelling, strong media relationships, and measurable social media growth.
Prior to his current role, Smith served as Manager of Communications & Branding at Ball State University, where he oversaw the athletic department website, managed the athletics app, and served as the primary media contact for multiple programs, including men’s basketball and baseball. He played a key role in revitalizing dormant social media accounts, securing NCAA social media takeovers, and leading communications efforts for conference championship events.
Smith previously worked as Assistant Director for Media Relations at the University of Central Arkansas, where he managed digital platforms, implemented new fan engagement tools, including live stats integration, and contributed to significant social media growth across multiple programs. His work helped position UCA softball among a select group of programs nationally with increased engagement during the pandemic.
He also gained valuable experience at the University of Florida as a Communications Assistant, serving as the primary contact for nationally ranked swimming and diving programs. During his tenure, he helped drive top-tier social media growth within the SEC and nationally while coordinating media coverage and producing engaging digital content.
Earlier in his career, Smith held roles at the University of Tulsa and Capital University, where he developed a strong foundation in media relations, game operations, and content creation. He has also contributed to championship operations as an NCAA site representative and supported ESPN production efforts during The Basketball Tournament.
Smith earned his Master of Business Administration from Capital University and his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Ohio Northern University. He is a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and he brings a data-driven, relationship-focused approach to athletic communications.
