TULSA, Okla.- Grayson Smith (Mvskoke) recently graduated from Bishop Kelley High School, where he played baseball during his time there. He was awarded the President’s Leadership Class scholarship at Seminole State College (SSC) where he will continue his baseball career.
To receive the President’s Leadership Class scholarship there are certain requirements that need to be met, such as a high grade point average (GPA), a high American College Test (ACT) score and involvement with school programs. While attending high school Smith was also a peer mentor.
A few other accomplishments Smith has received in the past were the Tulsa World All-World baseball title, All-State 2023, Five Tool Baseball National Top Plays of the Week 2nd place for the week of April 4, and All district his junior and senior year of high school.
When Smith starts at SSC he will pursue a degree in criminal justice. During his time playing baseball, his primary position will be pitcher. If he isn’t pitching, you will find him on first base or the outfield.
The reason Smith chose this specific college was due to the fact that he liked the people. It’s also within close proximity to his home and will allow his family to watch him play baseball.
Smith has been playing baseball for 15 years, and has grown a passion for the sport. “It’s not just a game, it’s a community and baseball can teach you about life and it’s a game of failures. If you fail 70% of your time you’re an all time great, it just shows that you can be good if things don’t go your way,” Smith said.
What inspired Smith as a young athlete was his family. They were all involved with baseball, specifically his cousin who currently plays AAA minor league baseball. Smith always wanted to be like him.
While playing baseball Smith said he will always put his education first. “I’m going to sacrifice some sleep for that but just obviously school comes first and then whatever I can do to get better in baseball I’m going to do that,” Smith said.
Alongside Smith, he does have friends that will or are continuing their education at SSC, some of them will be playing baseball with him.
Smith acknowledged his short-term goals playing baseball at SSC. “I just want to be the best player that I can be and whatever comes with that,” Smith said.
Smith’s goal is to make his family proud and prove his success by playing and going to SSC.
During his baseball career he has learned about his teammates and what teamwork means to him, “I learned that you have to be able to trust other people to get the outcome that you want because there’s 9 people on the baseball field and 1 of them is not going to win your game, to get the outcome that everyone wants,” Smith said.
When he attends SSC Smith knows that it will work out if he trusts his process, “ I just want people to be confident in themselves, if they want any goal that they want they can put their head down and work no matter how much it hurts or how tired you are, you can achieve your goal,” Smith said.
