York senior women’s basketball guard Alia Smith is a psychology major who appreciates good food, family, and music, and longs for the simpler “good old” days prior to the advent of social media and society’s increased reliance on technology. Not only a basketball player, Smith is a leader on campus as the president of the York Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a building supervisor at the campus recreation center. INTRODUCING … Alia Smith.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?   

I started out playing rec ball as soon as I was old enough and started playing AAU with the Maryland Flames in the third grade throughout elementary school.  By the time I was in eighth grade I was on three different teams at the same time, one of which included my high school travel team.  During high school I continued to play AAU with the Columbia Ravens for coach Chris Anderson.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  

My major is Psychology.  Probably the most important thing I have learned in the discipline is what I want to do with my degree after I graduate.  After completing an internship I realized I did not want to pursue the clinical side of the field which led me to explore other facets, and now I have decided to pursue Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology and am currently applying to graduate programs.  I/O combines my major, my Marketing minor, my past professional experiences, and my interests really well, so I am excited to continue in that direction.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Probably Johnson Dining Hall when the food is good.  I really enjoy food, probably too much, and they have lots of it.  It is also a good place to catch up with teammates and friends between classes.  They just remodeled it the last year or so and it is a nice atmosphere.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?    

I have not traveled much outside of the east coast United States for vacations and basketball tournaments throughout the years, but I have always loved the beach wherever I was.  I hate being cold, so I love the summertime, and the feeling of the sun hitting your skin.  I also love water, swimming, boogie boarding (attempting to surf board), and squirt guns, all of it. 

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you partic ipate in (on campus or off campus)?  

I am the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President at York.  I also work at the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center as a Building Supervisor.  I am also a close personal friend of the York College Mascot, Screamer, and enjoy promoting school spirit throughout the campus and community. 

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career. 

My most memorable experience during my collegiate athletic career would be hugging my parents after we won the CAC Championship game my sophomore year.  It was a nice moment to share with them because they have always supported me throughout my basketball career and in my goal to play college basketball, so to be on a team, not to mention a championship team, in one of the most competitive conferences in our division felt like all the traveling and practices over the years had all paid off and that I had achieved what I had sought to do. 

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?    

The most influential person in my life (outside of my family) has been my former AAU coach Chris Anderson.  Aside from loving basketball more than anyone else I know, coach Chris helped me get recruited to play at the college level by taking my teams to high-exposure tournaments.  He spent countless hours training my teammates and I, and pushing us to always improve even the smallest aspects of our game.  Coach Chris has always expressed the highest confidence in my skills and abilities, which helped me to discover my ability to be a strong leader on our team and play at my absolute personal best.  Even though I no longer play for him, we continue to stay in touch.  He continues to encourage me and has even suggested I coach myself.  He is a really good guy. 

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?

I think college students, and people of voting age in general, should be more knowledgeable and in tune with politics, domestic policies, foreign affairs, and even basic general world history.  I feel like a lot of times it is an after-thought, or just not a thought at all with everything else going on in our everyday lives.  Consciously knowing what is going on around you and with our government is important, and your right to vote is an important right to exercise because it can make a difference. A lot of people in this world have no rights to exercise at all, so we should not take them for granted.  The recent presidential debates, both from the democrat and republican parties, have been really interesting, and I think the upcoming election next year has the potential to be a major turning point in American history.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it? 

In general, though there are many good people in the world, I think many do not hold true to basic morals that past generations may have held more dearly.  Love of country, honesty, honor, social responsibility, sense of community, valuing family, general knowing of right and wrong, realizing how your actions may affect others and taking such into consideration, etc.  I think news media promotes a lot of negativity, social media promotes vanity and selfishness, and the idolization of celebrities and the wealthy create false fantasies and distract from actual great people who we should look up to and strive to be like.

What is your favorite form of entertainment? 

I LOVE music and everything about it.  I will listen to anything from west coast gangster rap, to classical, to country and more.  I have always enjoyed watching music videos and seeing songs brought to life.  I love singing along (even though I probably shouldn’t because I do not have the best voice).  Some of my favorite artists are Beyoncé, Ron Pope, Queen, Adele, and Coldplay. 

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be? 

Friends will come and go, but family and those you consider to be family are forever.  Value and appreciate your parents, be your sibling’s best friend, spend quality time with your grandparents and learn from them.

Outside of the CAC, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  

I love NFL football. I would even say it is my favorite sport ahead of basketball.  I wish there were actual women’s teams because I would love to play.  My favorite team is the Washington Redskins, even though they have struggled the past decade or so.  I also support the Baltimore Ravens because I have a lot of family in Baltimore and spend a lot of time there.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?

1. My grandmother Ary because her and I were very close and she passed away this past August.

2. My grandfather Philip because, although he lived with my parents, brother and I my entire life, I wish I knew him better than I did before he died.  I would ask him tons of questions that never occurred to me when I was younger.

3. My grandfather Gus because he died before I was born and I heard he was a really great guy.  It would be nice to meet and talk with him.