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n each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. This issue highlights former football player Kevin Smith (’00). An outside linebacker from Laurinburg, Kevin was a member of the 1999 Aloha Bowl team that defeated Arizona State 23-3 on Christmas Day. He and his wife, Jamila Mendez Smith, currently reside in Raleigh.
Kevin Smith When did you graduate from Wake Forest? I graduated in the class of 2000. What was your major? I majored in Communication. It was my initial goal to work in the field of public relations. What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you? Being a Demon Deacon means pride and responsibility. I have a great deal of pride in the traditions of Wake Forest and the wonderful alumni that make up the Wake Forest family. As a small institution, it takes dedicated alumni and university support for the athletic and academic programs to continuously rank among the nation’s best. Further, being a Demon Deacon also means a sense of responsibility to protect and enhance the Wake Forest experience. When I think about the opportunities that having a Wake Forest degree has afforded me, I get a great sense of responsibility to do whatever I can to make sure that same opportunity is given to someone else. Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics? I am still involved in Wake Forest Athletics because I am an example of what can happen when someone is given an opportunity to attend a first-class university and be exposed to a broader sense of the world. I recognized and appreciate the effort it took to support the athletic programs. Often, those efforts are taken for granted. However, I realized the value of giving back and supporting those things in my life that are unique and special. Growing up in a small town didn’t provide many options for growth and development. Therefore, I am grateful for my experiences at Wake Forest. My college roommate, Fred Robbins, and I spend a lot of time talking about the growth of the program and the benefits of giving back. I find it somewhat selfish to not support the institution that has provided me opportunities that have changed the course of my life for the better. What is your current occupation? I have worked for the City of Raleigh for seven and a half years. It has been a wonderful experience developing a variety of capacity-building programs for the residents of the city. I have worked on a number of special projects that include developing a program providing reduced cost Internet service to residents living in underserved neighborhoods in the city. What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest? My favorite memory is of the 1999 football season. Having the opportunity to compete in the ACC during that time period was a great experience. There were Heisman Trophy candidates, future NFL draft picks and the national champions in the conference, and that made the competition strong. To cap off
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gold rush magazine
my wonderful experience with a trip to the Aloha Bowl was extraordinary. It is a great feeling knowing that I was a part of a team that made a strong contribution to the growth of the program. The memories and friendships from that team will follow me the rest of my life. What makes you most proud of Wake Forest? I am most proud of my Wake Forest degree. I enjoy the reaction I get when people find out I graduated from such an exceptional university. It acts as a form of affirmation that I made the best decision in taking advantage of the opportunity to attend Wake Forest. Not everyone has had the option to attend, and I realize that Wake Forest saw something special in me to avail a chance to be a part of a great university that would enhance my life beyond belief. Even though there is a cost for tuition, you can’t put a price on the value of having a Wake Forest degree. It feels good knowing that I competed academically and athletically against some of the best in country. When I come back to Wake Forest, I always… When I come back to Wake Forest I always visit my favorite places to eat, the Deacon Shop and the practice field. I was there when… I was there when Wake Forest began the renovation of Bridger Field House. We had to dress in tents in the parking lot. We would be going over game plans and preparing for games while listening to people tailgate. The tents were either too hot or too cold. I also remember scrimmaging on the “old” campus of Wake Forest in the town of Wake Forest. We had the chance to interact with former players and hear their stories. I was also able to hear how each of them continues to support the university beyond their playing days. Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past? My favorite coach was James Bell. He served as secondary coach and defensive coordinator. He was a “no nonsense” type of coach and demanded the most out of each player. In addition to pushing us on the field, he was a great resource for teaching life lessons off the field. I have a tremendous respect for the things I learned from him that stretch beyond the chalk lines of the football field.