SG Katie Smith (All B1G, B1G Champion, OSU HOF, Asst. Coach Minnesota Lynx)

[ScriptOhio]

Katie Smith has always valued the importance of community.

Smith credits relationships developed in her hometown of Logan, Ohio, and at Ohio State for fostering a 17-year professional career in which she earned three Olympic gold medals, four league championships, and enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“Who I am is because of where I grew up, and the people in my life,” said Smith, an assistant coach with the WNBA Minnesota Lynx. “When I went to Ohio State, it became another community that supported me, and always has, in so many ways and so many areas. I’ve been lucky. I’ve had a lot of great people in my life. I always love to give back.”
Years of nurtured connections recently led Smith back to her hometown of Logan (population of 7,000), where she put in action her desire to help others during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“You just want to do what you can,” said Smith, the 1996 Big Ten MVP as a senior.

Smith joined members of Ohio State LiFESports (Learning in Fitness and Education through Sports) and the Lindy Infante Foundation in handing out sports equipment to families from Logan – about 50 miles southeast of Columbus – and the surrounding area of Hocking County.

Re: As a member of the USAB women's senior national team, Smith helped the US earn the gold medals in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics as well as the 1998 and 2002 World Championships.

Just sayin': Jesse Owens won 4 Olympic gold medals in 1936; other than Katie Smith's 3 Olympic gold medals, I can't name any other Ohio State alum with more than 2 Olympic gold medals.

 

[BB73]

Re: As a member of the USAB women's senior national team, Smith helped the US earn the gold medals in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics as well as the 1998 and 2002 World Championships.

Just sayin': Jesse Owens won 4 Olympic gold medals in 1936; other than Katie Smith's 3 Olympic gold medals, I can't name any other Ohio State alum with more than 2 Olympic gold medals.

Looks like Katie is one of 4 Buckeye athletes with at least 3 Olympic gold medals.

Glenn Davis won 1 gold in Melbourne in '56 (400 hurdles) and two golds in Rome in 1960 (400 hurdles and 4x400 relay (no hurdles). Edit - thx to AKAK for correction

Malvin Whitfield won two golds in London in '48 (800 meters and 4x400 relay) and repeated at gold for the 800 in Helsinki in 1952.

 

[AKAK]

Looks like Katie is one of 4 Buckeye athletes with at least 3 Olympic gold medals.

Glenn Davis won 1 gold in Melbourne in '56 (400 hurdles) and two golds in Rome in 1960 (400 hurdles and 4x400 hurdle relay).

Malvin Whitfield won two golds in London in '48 (800 meters and 4x400 relay) and repeated at gold for the 800 in Helsinki in 1952.

The 1960 relay was straight 4x400 (not hurdles). They set world record in the final 3:02:37.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1960_Summer_Olympics_–_Men's_4_×_400_metres_relay

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[calibuck]

Is she maybe (hopefully) keeping her coaching skills sharp so she can take over the WBB team? (sooner than later)?

 

[Bill Lucas]

Not sure this is the season to wish for a new coach. Without their engine they are still thriving.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

Seeing this thread pop up reminds me of a time I was down in Athens for grad school. I was standing in line to get tickets for some concert at Memorial Auditorium… can’t recall but it was probably Toad… anyhow…

While standing in line there was a discussion going on about HS recruiting and such. Some guy in line chimed in with a couple of anecdotes of his sister’s recruitment. Seemed legit enough… up to the point where someone asked him what schools his sister was recruited by. He said something like UCon, Tennessee, Ohio State among others.

When he said that, I asked him, “So, who’s your sister? Katie Smith?”

His response was, “Yeah. Katie is my sister.”

I carded him. He took my doubt well and played along. Sure enough, his last name was Smith. LOL.