2022 Dan L. Heinlen Award
Katie Smith ’08, ’14 MS
Katie Smith ’08, ’14 MS is a basketball superstar, a three-time Olympian and gold medalist for Team USA. She also earned two World Championships and is known as a trailblazing player and coach in the Women’s National Basketball Association.
But what few people see is how hard Smith has worked off the court to give back to the community, to pave new ways for female athletes to earn a living and to inspire women to thrive in whatever profession they choose.
Smith burst onto the scene as an Ohio State freshman, leading the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Championship and the NCAA Final Four in 1993. Twenty-five years later, she volunteered countless hours to help bring the NCAA Final Four to Columbus. It was the largest sporting event ever to be hosted by the city. For Smith, it was an opportunity to bring economic benefits and acclaim to the city she loves.
“I’m so fortunate to have great friends here who have always supported me and are mentors to this day,” she says.
Smith makes Columbus her home six months out of the year. She volunteers regularly for Ohio State, speaking to students, raising money for the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer and promoting Ohio State to basketball prospects.
“I admire Katie Smith for all that she has given the game of basketball, her mentorship of countless teammates, her leadership as a coach, her commitment to current and future generations, and her love of The Ohio State University.”
The other six months, Smith is on the road as the associate head coach for the Minnesota Lynx, one of 12 teams in the WNBA, a league Smith helped shape.
The WNBA didn’t even exist when Smith was a Buckeye. It was formed in 1996, and Smith became one of the early standouts in the league. After playing for 17 years, she retired in 2013, the all-time leading scorer in women’s professional basketball.
Next Smith pursued another dream: coaching, which allows her to earn a living while inspiring women on the court and off. She travels around the country to give speeches encouraging people to “channel their inner Olympian.”
“My work is not just about growing the game and opportunities for women,” Smith says. “It’s instilling the belief in all women that they belong in every room, in every setting and in every meeting. Obviously, you have to put in the work, but I want women to know how capable they are and to keep that confidence as they go through life.”
Presented to alumni who have realized outstanding achievements in advancing the university by advocating for its interests with one or more of its important audiences.