The University of Mississippi Athletics
NGWSD Beyond the Box: Annalyn Smith
2/3/2019 | Athletics
Every February, universities, colleges, and schools and leagues around the country celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an event honoring the importance of females in athletics. In celebration of that day, Ole Miss is going even further "beyond the box", recognizing women for the many roles they play in athletics, from competing and coaching to fundraising and communications, Oxford calls itself home to 153 female student-athletes. The Rebels are also proud to employ 77 women in the Ole Miss athletic department, helping make each and every one of our roles vital to the day-to-day functions and success of Ole Miss Athletics
Beyond the box with… Annalyn Smith
Event Management Coordinator
What is your role within Ole Miss Athletics?
My current role is event management coordinator. I oversee all event management aspects for men's and women's tennis, rifle, soccer, and softball. I also supervise our student workers. For football, I lead the command center by coordinating with all parties that respond to in-game situations that happen at or within the stadium.
When did you realize you wanted to make working in sports an eventual career?
I actually had no interest working in sports for a long time. I received my undergraduate degree in art from the University of Georgia, but during my junior year, I began working for the athletics event management department as a guest relations assistant at games. This job was very minimal, but it sparked an interest to develop my skills relating to customer service.
During my final semester at UGA, I began to have this gut feeling that continuing in the art world was not what I wanted to pursue. To my benefit, an opening became available in the event management department, allowing me to take on a larger role. It was during the LSU vs. UGA gymnastics meet in 2016 that I realized event management was an avenue worth exploring.
I continued helping at postseason NCAA events that spring. I was blessed that the folks at UGA saw something special in me, and after graduation, I was offered a full-time internship with the department. It was an easy decision to stay and learn as much as I could about working in collegiate athletics.
Do you think there are benefits to having females in key roles in male athletics, such as NFL referees, assistant coaches, player development roles, etc., and what do you think makes this important?
It is easy to say yes to this question. Having women in male-dominated professions allows for new perspectives. I believe it is important to keep an open mind. When we are receptive of new ideas, we are able to improve ourselves as well as the fields in which we work.
Why do you think it is important to have females involved in athletics in today's society?
As a woman, you want to promote equality. You often have to work three times as hard as men in your position. Ensuring diversity and equality is key to advancement. It is important for us to show not only young women, but everyone, that anything is possible. Having successful women in athletics shows young women they can do it, too. I am blessed with many strong women I can look up to in this industry. I believe we are in an era in which athletics will be better off because of the women in it now.
Annalyn Smith is her second year with the Rebels. She loves to watch all kinds of sports, but her favorite to play is tennis. An avid Braves and Atlanta United fan, her favorite sports-related memory to attend was going to the 2018 MLS Cup, seeing the United breaking the dreaded 'Atlanta Curse'. Her favorite sports movie is the Waterboy because well, as she puts it, "I love Kathy Bates. Red-head power!"
Beyond the box with… Annalyn Smith
Event Management Coordinator
What is your role within Ole Miss Athletics?
My current role is event management coordinator. I oversee all event management aspects for men's and women's tennis, rifle, soccer, and softball. I also supervise our student workers. For football, I lead the command center by coordinating with all parties that respond to in-game situations that happen at or within the stadium.
When did you realize you wanted to make working in sports an eventual career?
I actually had no interest working in sports for a long time. I received my undergraduate degree in art from the University of Georgia, but during my junior year, I began working for the athletics event management department as a guest relations assistant at games. This job was very minimal, but it sparked an interest to develop my skills relating to customer service.
During my final semester at UGA, I began to have this gut feeling that continuing in the art world was not what I wanted to pursue. To my benefit, an opening became available in the event management department, allowing me to take on a larger role. It was during the LSU vs. UGA gymnastics meet in 2016 that I realized event management was an avenue worth exploring.
I continued helping at postseason NCAA events that spring. I was blessed that the folks at UGA saw something special in me, and after graduation, I was offered a full-time internship with the department. It was an easy decision to stay and learn as much as I could about working in collegiate athletics.
Do you think there are benefits to having females in key roles in male athletics, such as NFL referees, assistant coaches, player development roles, etc., and what do you think makes this important?
It is easy to say yes to this question. Having women in male-dominated professions allows for new perspectives. I believe it is important to keep an open mind. When we are receptive of new ideas, we are able to improve ourselves as well as the fields in which we work.
Why do you think it is important to have females involved in athletics in today's society?
As a woman, you want to promote equality. You often have to work three times as hard as men in your position. Ensuring diversity and equality is key to advancement. It is important for us to show not only young women, but everyone, that anything is possible. Having successful women in athletics shows young women they can do it, too. I am blessed with many strong women I can look up to in this industry. I believe we are in an era in which athletics will be better off because of the women in it now.
Annalyn Smith is her second year with the Rebels. She loves to watch all kinds of sports, but her favorite to play is tennis. An avid Braves and Atlanta United fan, her favorite sports-related memory to attend was going to the 2018 MLS Cup, seeing the United breaking the dreaded 'Atlanta Curse'. Her favorite sports movie is the Waterboy because well, as she puts it, "I love Kathy Bates. Red-head power!"
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