Blake Smith enters his first season as the Director of Athletic Communications at Henderson State in 2025-26.
Smith, who has served as the play-by-play Voice of the Reddies on the Henderson State Sports Network since 2021, is a 2013 graduate of Henderson State and has a wide array of experience in high school, college, and professional sports.
"We are thrilled to be able to welcome Blake to our full-time team here at Henderson State," Director of Athletics Seth Dutton said. "Blake has done tremendous work as the Voice of the Reddies and has already ingratiated himself into our athletics community through his dedication and passion for our teams, coaches, and student-athletes. His tireless work ethic, attention to detail, and heart for Henderson State made him a seamless fit for this position."
Smith has a wealth of experience in athletics and has shouldered numerous roles and responsibilities in his career. Since 2021, he has been the play-by-play voice on nearly every live streamed broadcast of Reddies football, basketball, baseball, and softball. He called Henderson State's 2024 GAC Women's Basketball championship run and also the Reddies' victory in the 96th Battle of the Ravine in 2023. He has been contracted by the Great American Conference for his play-by-play work the last four seasons for the annual GAC Baseball Tournament and was also on the call for the 2023 GAC Women's Basketball Championships.
"I am incredibly excited to be named the Director of Athletic Communications at Henderson State," Smith said. "This opportunity is truly a dream come true for someone who has roots in this town, graduated from this university, and has been invested in Reddie Athletics for a number of years. I want to thank Seth and Dr. Berry for their belief in me as I step into this role. I can't wait to work hard every day alongside our terrific Reddie staff, coaches, and student-athletes. Go Reddies!"
Outside of his part-time position as Voice of the Reddies, Smith has been the Gifted and Talented Coordinator for Melbourne (AR) Public Schools, where he also served as Melbourne's radio broadcast voice and high school golf coach. His golf teams earned one 3A state championship and three runner-up finishes in his four years at the helm of the Bearkatz' program.
In addition to his work at Melbourne, Smith has been a highly accomplished basketball official throughout high school and college. In his eight-plus year career, he has worked two Arkansas high school state tournaments, including the 2024 Class 1A Girls Basketball Championship, as well as multiple postseason appearances in the American Midwest Conference (NAIA) and Arkansas and Missouri junior college postseason tournaments.
The last three summers, Smith has been an in-season employee for the Arkansas Travelers —the AA Texas League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. He has filled a variety of roles for the Travs, including public address announcer, live stats data tracking, pitch clock operator and scoreboard controller inside Dickey-Stephens Park.
A native of Melbourne, Arkansas, Smith received his Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from Henderson State in 2013 and his Master of Science in Education from Arkansas State University in 2019. During his time at Henderson, Smith was a member of the Concert Choir, Chamber Chorale, and Opera Workshop, and also served as the director of the Handbell Choir at Arkadelphia's First United Methodist Church.
