Raife Smart '22 Recruiting Profile

Hello everyone,

At a young age, I heard my parents express how talented I was and what a gift I was given by the creator (God). My father described that I never crawled, only stood and ran on my feet. I really feel, I have always had an external and/or internal impulse to be extraordinarily good in all sports. Additionally, a intense desire for sports turned my mind into a continuous mind set, to compete in any athletic sport and do my best. My father, who comes from a wrestling family, started me with wrestling at pre-k and the sport has lead me to success in all other sports. It taught me to be tuff and physical, nothing is guaranteed, my body has to be tuned, superb shape, work through pain or discomfort and be mentally focused on the football field.   

College education is my biggest goal for me, but so is it for my family, how I was raise and this helps me stay focused. I understand most people have struggles in life and some of those struggles are worse for others. My parents adopted me, however my adoptive father is related to me. I come from American Indian descendent, as my birth mother was ¾ Chippewa and my birth father was African American. My adoptive father being American Indian as well raised me in that culture and many of those aspects are installed in me. Those American Indian traits stand out in my performance in life and in sports. Noteworthy, is my hard work in academics demonstrates how my personal goals in life and on the field are my daily focus.

I have many attributes being raised American Indian, but these ones are the most profound in my performance;  resiliency, reverence and loyalty to something I put my mind to. That alone makes me unique when compared to others. This is a summary of my highlights and I would be more than happy to share more about myself and family at any point.

Sincerely, Raife Smart