Foundational Faith, Family & Football feat. Ashley Smith | #192

Beyond the Ball with Jonathan Jones

In the latest episode of "Beyond the Ball," Ashley Smith, a prominent figure in sports management and player development, shares her insights on the essential components of athlete empowerment and personal development. She reflects on her journey, from her early experiences at the University of Tennessee to her current role in the NFL, providing valuable lessons for both athletes and those supporting them in their careers. This post summarizes the key themes discussed, offering a structured overview of the vital takeaways.

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(00:00) - Welcome to Beyond the Ball

(00:15) - Meet Ashley Smith Sports Management Expert

(00:33) - Journey from NCAA to NFL Player Development

(01:25) - Transitioning into Professional Sports

(02:52) - Perspective on Player Engagement Growth

(04:00) - Navigating the Male Dominated Industry

(14:41) - Understanding Athlete Development Needs

(15:44) - Differences Between Collegiate and Professional Levels

(21:18) - Addressing Pressing Issues for Athletes

(29:14) - Advise for Young Aspiring Professionals

(41:57) - Important Tip for Student Athletes

(42:49) - Closing Thoughts and Subscribe Reminder

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https://www.instagram.com/iameashleysmith/

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Ashley Smith is a decisive, detail-oriented, and results-focused professional with over 10 years of experience in the sports industry. Currently serving as the Manager of Player Engagement at the National Football League (NFL) in New York City, Ashley excels in developing and executing strategies while cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders. In her role, she supports the Vice President of Player Engagement, liaising with agents, coaches, heads of player engagement, and players on NFL rules and regulations. She has developed mission, vision, and execution strategies for the Personal and Professional Development pillars of Player Engagement and leads the planning and organization of personal and professional development offerings for NFL current players and Legends (former players). Ashley manages new and existing partnerships to enhance the player and Legend experience and leverages these partnerships to execute strategies, provide resources, and manage events for player engagement. She also collaborates with various NFL affinity groups to deliver world- class events and experiences and audits Player Engagement events to identify growth opportunities.

Before her current role, Ashley served as a Norma Hunt Player Personnel Fellow for the Kansas City Chiefs, where she created player evaluations for the General Manager and assisted in the daily operations of the Player Personnel department during training camp. At the University of Tennessee, she was the Assistant Athletics Director for Player Relations & Development, where she developed a holistic development program, positively impacting players and managing partnerships, marketing efforts, and events. As the Director for Student-Athlete Development, she led initiatives for over 500 student-athletes across all sports and developed inaugural development programs and initiatives. In her earlier roles, she managed special events and collaborations as the Director of Football Administration & Special Events for the Tennessee Football Program. During her time at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Ashley served as an Assistant Coordinator where she helped plan and execute 19 national championships across Division I, II, and III sports.

Ashley began her career as a Student Manager for the Lady Volunteers Basketball Program at the University of Tennessee under the legendary Pat Head Summitt while pursuing her degree in marketing. Her senior year, she was promoted and served as the team’s Head Student Manager where she assisted the Director of Basketball Operations with the day-to-day management of the team. She holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a collateral in Entrepreneurship from the University of Tennessee. Her accolades include being selected to serve as the Vice President of Professional Development & Outreach for the University of Florida Gotham Gators Alumni Association, receiving the University of Tennessee Knoxville Alumni 40 Under 40 Award, and completing the

University of South Florida Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate. Ashley’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to helping people reach their full potential make her a dynamic leader and a valuable asset to any organization.