Hope College senior Derik Smith has been chosen as the 2024 recipient of the MIAA’s Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award.
The honor is given annually by the MIAA to a top senior scholar-athlete at an MIAA school to honor the legacy of Pete Schmidt, a former Albion College football coach and Alma College alumnus who died from cancer in 2000.
As a child, Smith (Niles, Michigan / Edwardsburg HS) had part of his right leg amputated after a cancer diagnosis but persevered to become a two-sport NCAA Division III student-athlete, including football.
A physical and health education major, Smith is Hope’s fourth recipient of the award. He joins Brandon Ellsworth (2017), Neil Droppers (2009) and Phil Morse (2004).
The 6-5, 241-pound Smith plays defensive line for the MIAA-champion and nationally-ranked Flying Dutchmen, who have qualified for the NCAA playoffs for the sixth time in program history this season.
Smith also competed in indoor and outdoor track and field at Hope.
In the fall of 2023, Smith’s story drew nationwide attention, including as part of the TV special “Courage in Sports: Gridiron Greatness” presented by the USAA insurance company on CBS.
In the spring of 2023, Smith was named the Hope Athletics Karen Page Courage Award recipient.
Smith has represented Team USA internationally in track and field.
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