Smith Prepares For Senior Season

By Kaila Pacheco
Athletic Communications Student Assistant

As the new semester approaches, many students are preparing for their senior year at Northern Iowa. Everyone begins to look back at their experiences as a college student. For many, this is their last year of buying textbooks, pulling all-nighters for mid-terms, and final year of playing collegiate sports.

Tyvis Smith, the standout running back from Davenport, Iowa is starting his senior year as well. A student that wasn't sure if he was going to attend college, appreciates everything UNI has done for him.

"UNI has made a great impact in my life," Smith said. "I'm thankful for this organization because they help me meet great guys and lifelong best friends. It opened up opportunities that one can only imagine. It helped mold me into the man I am today."

Smith, who was recently given honorable mention status for the preseason all-MVFC team, was able to meet one of his biggest influences in life at UNI, David Johnson.

"Ever since high school, I knew about David because we were in the same conference and he was always talked about," Smith stated. "Once I came to UNI, he took me under his wing and got me on the right track when I needed him to, and always looked out for me and made sure I was focused with everything on and off the field"

That focus helped Smith reach 1,079 rushing yards and seven touchdowns for the 2015 season, a feat that brought him to become the No. 23 highest rusher in the FCS. This type of tenacity and focus is what the Panthers are ready to see again for the upcoming season.

Don't let the high rush yards fool you. As a child, Smith had a different dream.

"As a kid, I always wanted to be a role model," he said. "So the path I wanted to take was a parole officer to help troubled kids succeed and get on the right path so they can have better opportunities in life."

Smith, a criminology major, wishes to help troubled kids after graduation. However, he still has his mind set on having an opportunity in the NFL.

Being well-rounded is a great quality to have, and Smith is definitely a well rounded person. He plays a big game and his dreams are even bigger. His greatest advice that has helped him succeed comes from Smith's high school football coach.

"The best advice I've received would be, 'If you don't believe in yourself no one else will,'" Smith said. "My freshman high school coach Daryl Cross told me that during a football practice and it has stuck with me since."

Smith and the Panthers will kick off the 2016 season against Iowa State on Sep. 3 at 7 p.m. The game will air live on Cyclones.TV.

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Smith Prepares For Senior Season

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