Peyton Smith

Classroom

Peyton is a communications major with a concentration in advertising. He does this while minoring in information systems. He owns a 3.60 GPA and has made Marist College’s Dean’s List in the Spring 2017, Fall 2019, and Spring 2019 semesters. In addition, he has been named to the MAAC All-Academic Team each of the past two years.

Character

There are many examples of ways I can speak to Peyton Smith’s character, but there is nothing more than Peyton’s story with Julian Rogers.

Peyton coaches a lacrosse team in his hometown, the 919 lacrosse club in North Carolina, and had a lot to say about Julian. “Right away, he was someone who stuck out to me. He was extremely funny. He could make me laugh over and over again,” Smith says. “On top of that, he was very coachable. He wanted to get better. He wanted to improve his game. He wanted to improve his craft. As a coach, especially someone like me — young and still in college — that meant a lot to me. I saw a lot of myself in him.”

Julian passed away at the age of 16 and it hit Peyton hard. He dedicated the entire last season to him, one in which he ended up being named face-off specialist of the year. He reached out to the family of Julian, one he didn’t know well, and said “I don’t’ know if you guys remember me, but I remember Julian. I just want to let you guys know that I’m going to wear JR-41 on the side of my helmet. Julian’s going to be with me every game.” Eventually, he almost became another son to the family, and has meant a lot to them during a tough time.

Community

Smith is very busy when it comes to community service and volunteering. In the Fall 2016 semester, Smith volunteered for the ETC Lax Clinic, Friends of Jaclyn Walk, and Children’s Home Visits. In the Spring 2017 semester, Smith volunteered with the HLC Lacrosse Clinic, Special Olympics, Pen Pal Program with Highland Lax, and Children’s Home Visits. Peyton volunteer with Tunnel To Tower Run, Grace Smith House Pumpkin Parade, Freshman Move In, ETC Lax Clinic, and Children’s Home Visits. Peyton volunteered with Special Olympics and the Hudson Valley Youth Lacrosse Clinic in the Spring 2018 semester. He also volunteered with Morgan’s Mile, Freshman Move In, and the ETC Lacrosse Clinic in the Fall of 2018. In the Spring 2019 semester, Peyton volunteered with the Youth Clinic at Hudson Sports Dome. Lastly, in the Fall of 2019, Peyton volunteered with Freshman Move in and Tunnel to Towers Run.

Competition

Having just been named MAAC Preseason Co-Player of the Year, Peyton is looking to build off what was his finest season as a Red Fox in 2019. Playing in all 17 games as the primary face-off specialist, Smith finished the season with a .630 face-off win percentage, raking 11th in the entire NCAA. He won 247 total face-offs on the season, and has now won 291 for his career. He even added 115 ground balls, four caused turnovers, and his first career goal in 2019. Smith was named MAAC Face-Off Specialist of the Year and made the All-MAAC First Team. He was also a three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Week and one-time member of the USILA Team of the Week.