Clara Bell Smith Center Celebrates 25 Years

East Lansing, Mich. -- On Sept. 12, 1998, the first stand-alone academic services building for student-athletes in the country was dedicated and opened its doors. Thanks largely to the philanthropic support of Steve Smith and named after his mother, the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center has been the academic hub for MSU student-athletes over the last 25 years. On the 25^th anniversary of the center's opening, Michigan State Athletics and Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) kicks off a year-long celebration of the building's roots, what it has become over the last quarter century, and its future plans that keep Michigan State's commitment to both athletic and academic excellence at the forefront of all plans for its more than 700 student-athletes.

"For a quarter century, Steve Smith's generosity has positively impacted the lives of thousands of student-athletes, providing the resources and environment for them to be successful beyond the field of play and well after they've left Michigan State," said MSU Vice President and Athletic Director Alan Haller. "The Smith Center is a foundational element of our mission to provide support for student-athletes in their holistic development at MSU and beyond. I look forward to celebrating its impact and its mission throughout the year ahead."

At the time, Smith's gift was the largest to ever be given by a professional athlete to any college or university. Over the last 25 years, thousands of Spartan student-athletes have elevated their academic accomplishments both individually and collectively. In addition, an array of career development workshops, job fairs, and informational meetings as well as individualized career services are available. It provides a launching point for community outreach efforts (many from the personal initiatives brought forth by our student-athletes) which have benefitted the campus and greater University community, and there have been countless opportunities to better their own personal development in efforts to pursue their life's passions.

"The university has a special place in my heart," says Smith. "I understood from being an athlete myself before student athletic centers were built on campuses how much they could benefit the student-athletes. I saw the future of how much it could help them achieve their academic goals. We're student athletes, and I always tell people the student comes before the athlete. Take that very seriously because you're going to be a student in life much longer than you're going to be an athlete. Even if you have a long career, we're all lifelong learners."

"After 25 years, the Clara Bell Smith Center still stands as a model facility for supporting college athletes in the classroom and beyond," notes SASS Executive Director Todd Edwards. "We will forever be grateful for the vision and commitment shown to our student athletes by Steve Smith and our other donors. The first of its kind in college athletics, the Center has served thousands and we feel honored and privileged to continue the legacy of the talented and dedicated staff and leaders who built this strong foundation of support."

Under the leadership of Edwards and long overseen by the late Jim Pignataro, the Smith Center is the only MSU Athletics facility that serves all student-athletes under one roof. A unit of both the Office of the Provost and the Department of Athletics, SASS's Smith Center has grown into being a place that serves the University's student-athletes from high school (during an athlete's recruitment) through adulthood with career services for former athletes of any age. In between, current students and those returning to finish their education have access to utilize the network of Spartan alumni around the world for guidance, connections, and potential employment.

Community outreach has long been a hallmark of MSU's Student-Athlete Support Services and making a difference in the community is part of the ethos of the Smith family. Smith's son Davis, a senior on the 2023-24 men's basketball team, held a back-to-school supply drive on MSU's campus the last two years. Fittingly, the event was held in the facility named for his grandmother.

To stay up to date on the yearlong celebration, follow MSU's Student-Athlete Support Services on Instagram (@SASS_MSU) and X (@MSU_SASS). The celebration events will also be shared on the MSU Athletics Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MSUathletics ), X (@MSU_Athletics) and Instagram (@MSU_Athletics).

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