Smothers to Lead Philander Smith College Panthers as Interim Athletic Director

“MY GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS is producing scholarly athletes who become productive citizens while also building championship teams for every sport in which we compete,” said Roderick Smothers Jr, Philander Smith College Interim Director of Athletics.

A native of Vidalia, Louisiana, Smothers earned a Bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism from Langston University and a Master’s in Sports Management from University of the Southwest. While at Langston he became co-founder of the intramural Basketball League.

Smothers demonstrated an exceedingly early interest in sports and started playing basketball at age of 4. While playing junior high school basketball, he simultaneously served as a manager for the high school basketball team. During the years spent as a team manager, Smothers said he took interest in how the team operated leading to his career choice.

He brings to his new role experience in coaching clinics, coaching youth basketball, serving as a referee and functioning as a play-by-play announcer for sporting events.

“On a personal level, my goal is simply to inspire through athletics,” Smothers added.