In 1997, Steve Smith, a former MSU basketball All-American, 14-year NBA veteran and member of the 2003 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, donated $2.5 million toward the construction of the Clara Bell Smith Student Athlete Academic Center. This donation, in memory of his mother, Clara Bell Smith, is the largest gift ever by a professional athlete to any college or university. The donation helped fund the construction of the $7.5 million facility, a comprehensive study center for student-athletes.
The two-story, 31,000-square foot Smith Center serves over 700 student-athletes in all of MSU's Division I sports. It also houses a 210-seat auditorium, a "hall of fame" gallery, two study halls, 60 computers split between two computer labs, structured study areas, a student lounge, a conference room, four classrooms, tutoring rooms, a director's office, academic advisor offices and a reception area.
“At Michigan State, we look to excel both academically and athletically. The Smith Center gives us a place to get away from distractions and focus on our studies. Hard work and dedication are not only important on the court, but also in the classroom. The Smith Center is our home to academic excellence.”
Isaiah Dahlman, Senior Guard31,000 square feet.
Structured study areas.
Quiet study areas.
Computerize check-in system.
10 individual meeting rooms.
Multicultural Center.
Two staffed computer labs.
60 computers.
Four classrooms.
Wireless Internet access.
210-seat multimedia auditorium.
