The closest students at Seton Hall could get to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was on the television screens in the University Center (UC)—until now.
On Tuesday, not far from those same screens, Smith broadcasted live from the UC’s John P. and Glynda Gallagher Studio and Control Room, where he hosted ESPN’s morning debate show “First Take” from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by his own radio show, “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Upon his arrival in an all-black Cadillac Escalade, Smith—dressed in a signature sharp suit—took the time to greet the growing crowd of onlooking students who wanted to introduce themselves (or just bear witness to his impeccable strut into the building).
“We got a jam-packed show coming your way,” Smith said to open First Take just minutes later, a banner featuring SHU’s various logos behind him. “I’m at Seton Hall University. Why? Because the kids have summoned me.”
The kids, indeed, “summoned” Smith: in anticipation of his visit, students of the university’s Center for Sports Media utilized the 3D-printing technology of the newly-renovated Innovation Hub to design a bust of Smith’s likeness, which was given to him ahead of the broadcast.
“And look what they got for your boy,” said Smith, holding the bust to his face, giggling. “They love me, they really, really love me.”
“It brings a tear to my eye,” Smith added, sarcastically. “I’m getting emotional right now, First Take’s in the house.”
While he was in South Orange, Smith was joined remotely by former NBA player Iman Shumpert, ESPN analyst Monica McNutt and NBA on ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who asked if Smith was “preaching to the kids” at SHU today, given his sharp attire.
“I’m here for the kids,” Smith said. “I’m here for the kids, y’all.”
Host Shae Peppler Cornette brought Smith’s attention back to the bust of his likeness, prompting Smith’s gratitude once again.
“I don’t know what the hell it is,” said Smith, holding the bust again. “But you know what? It looks good, they did a good job and I appreciate it.”
“I wasn’t good or talented enough to hold no damn trophies athletically,” added Smith, who was on a basketball scholarship at Winston-Salem State University once upon a time. “So I appreciate it.”
After Smith and his co-hosts discussed all things NBA, including its MVP race, an aerial view of the university was accompanied by a video from iconic ESPN anchor Bob Ley, who joined Smith for a symposium during his first visit to The Hall in 2019.
“Welcome back for at least your third visit to this campus and this community,” Ley said in the video, the palm trees of Florida in the background. “You have been so generous and so giving of your time with our students, and to the luster of our work here, and we really appreciate it.”
“As you embark upon this show today, we wish you all the best,” Ley added. “You are surrounded by good people, and a great community, and thank you for your time, friend. I wish I could be there to give you a big hug myself, but consider yourself welcomed to Seton Hall.”
Such respect was reciprocated by Smith, who had nothing but the utmost praise for one of the network’s most legendary figures.
“No matter what any of us have accomplished or what we’re doing here at ESPN, we stand on the shoulders of people like Bob Ley,” Smith said. “He’s been here for 40 years and represented this network and this industry in the most exemplary fashion imaginable.”
“I have such a profound respect, admiration, and appreciation for him, and all he has taught me throughout the years in this industry,” Smith added. “It's one of the reasons it's so easy to come to this institution, and to be a part of this.”
Smith’s latest visit to SHU was organized through a collaboration between the Center for Sport Management, led by Director Charles Grantham—Smith’s friend and colleague—and the aforementioned Center for Sports Media, led by Director B.J. Schecter.
Also helping organize the event was Stillman School of Business Instructor of Sport Management Leonard DeLuca, who, along with Ley and Grantham, Smith expressed his love, admiration and gratitude for.
“This is because of [Ley], and my guy Charlie Grantham,” Smith said. “They are both overseeing this program, along with Len DeLuca and others, and they’re just phenomenal people, just great people doing just great, great things.”
“Bob Ley has touched me in so many ways on such a positive level,” Smith added. “I owe him so much, I love that man dearly, and it means a lot to me that he took the time to make that video for me, I really appreciate it.”
For his final segment, the banner behind Smith was dropped, revealing a crowd of SHU students standing in anticipation to get a glimpse of Smith in his element (or to get a chance to be on the live broadcast).
But before the final segment, Smith came outside the studio to interact and offer advice to those same students.
“Do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do,” Smith said. “In other words, whatever obligation you have, whatever you got to deal with, always get that handy.”
Smith correlated the importance of taking education seriously to the job market.
“Every employer wants somebody that’s gonna do the job,” Smith added. “So if you got an attitude where you just want to do what you want to do, you’re gonna fail before you walk in the door…because you’re about what you want to do instead of looking out for somebody else. Always remember that.”
“So you remember something that basic, everything is going to work out. You feel me?” Smith said, the crowd responding accordingly. “Now I got to go back on TV.”
Zachary Mawby is the head editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at zachary.mawby@student.shu.edu.
