ABOUT ME
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Hi! My name is Kendall Smith and I am the Team Reporter and Host for the Charlotte Knights (AAA- White Sox), and a Reporter and Host for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL- Florida Panthers). Back when I was a high school senior doing the PA for my school baseball team, I would've never thought I'd write those words, but here I am today on a journey working in sports that has been nothing short of amazing.
I was sixteen-years-old when I earned my first sports broadcasting internship. I covered the Charlotte Hornets, UNC Charlotte Football, the Belk College Kickoff, and the Charlotte Knights. I actually got that internship as a high school sophomore because I met my boss at a game that I was the PA announcer for. It taught me at a young age the value of making a connection, and it was the beginning of a career I have dedicated countless hours to.
I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. In college, I worked for Gamecock Central with the On3 Network as a Host and Reporter, primarily covering Gamecock Football and recruiting, and traveling to all South Carolina football games both home and away to work. I also hosted my own sports talk radio show on 107.5 The Game, the official radio home of the Gamecocks, while in school as the youngest radio personality in the station's history to ever have her own show. In February of my senior year, I started a four month program with the NCAA Digital team at Turner Sports, covering all NCAA sports and championships, including March Madness. I had six jobs my second semester of senior year, including a full-time job I began with the Knights a few months before graduating. I spent more time in Charlotte than at school, but I love what I do so much that I feel regret in making those decisions. I even spent my senior year spring break hosting the 2023 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.
My college work experience extended far before I was an upperclassman, though. As a sophomore in college I was the Team Reporter and Host for the Lexington County Blowfish in the Coastal Plain College Wood Bat Baseball League. I also was the youngest Station Manager at Student Gamecock Television, where I became a College Media Association Pinnacle Award-winning journalist as a college junior. I worked at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte at Seacrest Studios as a freshman, and was the in-game host the 2022 ACC Baseball Championship at Truist Field in Charlotte.
Now, outside of my jobs in baseball and in hockey, I work as a sideline reporter for ESPN+ broadcasts and for Raleigh/Durham's CW Station, myRDC. To say I put a lot of miles on my car is an understatement!
On a more personal note, I am a retired competitive figure skater of fifteen years. I joined the Professional Skaters Association in high school, and I still skate often (I even do skating interviews with the Checkers!)
I am also a hot yoga teacher, so when I'm not working, I am usually at the yoga studio teaching or taking classes. Some of my favorite things include traveling to new places, sushi, and Disney World. If I could buy a house anywhere, it would be in Charleston, South Carolina or Miami, Florida.
I'll leave you with this. I have been fortunate to have many mentors and supporters in my short career. People have provided me with opportunities beyond my wildest dreams, so I'd like to take a brief moment here to just say "thank you" to all of these great people. The know who they are, and they know I am better off because of their kindness and guidance.
-Kendall
I was sixteen-years-old when I earned my first sports broadcasting internship. I covered the Charlotte Hornets, UNC Charlotte Football, the Belk College Kickoff, and the Charlotte Knights. I actually got that internship as a high school sophomore because I met my boss at a game that I was the PA announcer for. It taught me at a young age the value of making a connection, and it was the beginning of a career I have dedicated countless hours to.
I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. In college, I worked for Gamecock Central with the On3 Network as a Host and Reporter, primarily covering Gamecock Football and recruiting, and traveling to all South Carolina football games both home and away to work. I also hosted my own sports talk radio show on 107.5 The Game, the official radio home of the Gamecocks, while in school as the youngest radio personality in the station's history to ever have her own show. In February of my senior year, I started a four month program with the NCAA Digital team at Turner Sports, covering all NCAA sports and championships, including March Madness. I had six jobs my second semester of senior year, including a full-time job I began with the Knights a few months before graduating. I spent more time in Charlotte than at school, but I love what I do so much that I feel regret in making those decisions. I even spent my senior year spring break hosting the 2023 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.
My college work experience extended far before I was an upperclassman, though. As a sophomore in college I was the Team Reporter and Host for the Lexington County Blowfish in the Coastal Plain College Wood Bat Baseball League. I also was the youngest Station Manager at Student Gamecock Television, where I became a College Media Association Pinnacle Award-winning journalist as a college junior. I worked at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte at Seacrest Studios as a freshman, and was the in-game host the 2022 ACC Baseball Championship at Truist Field in Charlotte.
Now, outside of my jobs in baseball and in hockey, I work as a sideline reporter for ESPN+ broadcasts and for Raleigh/Durham's CW Station, myRDC. To say I put a lot of miles on my car is an understatement!
On a more personal note, I am a retired competitive figure skater of fifteen years. I joined the Professional Skaters Association in high school, and I still skate often (I even do skating interviews with the Checkers!)
I am also a hot yoga teacher, so when I'm not working, I am usually at the yoga studio teaching or taking classes. Some of my favorite things include traveling to new places, sushi, and Disney World. If I could buy a house anywhere, it would be in Charleston, South Carolina or Miami, Florida.
I'll leave you with this. I have been fortunate to have many mentors and supporters in my short career. People have provided me with opportunities beyond my wildest dreams, so I'd like to take a brief moment here to just say "thank you" to all of these great people. The know who they are, and they know I am better off because of their kindness and guidance.
-Kendall