Student-Athlete Of The Month: Joey Smargissi

Broadneck Football, Basketball

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Whether it’s on the football field, on the basketball court, or in the classrooms or hallways of Broadneck High School, one thing is clear: Joey Smargissi is going to get after it.

An all-state receiver and starting power forward for Broadneck, Smargissi also has a 3.9 unweighted GPA (4.3 weighted) and is off to Washington and Lee next fall to study and play football.

It’s an opportunity to continue playing a sport he loves, at an academically prestigious institution. That’s been a goal of his for a long time to meld education and athletics.

“I was always told to put grades before the field. I had some coaches that taught me that, and especially my parents. It all comes from the classroom,” Smargissi said. “I don’t think people get a lot of those opportunities just being an athlete at those kinds of schools. It’s always the first question they ask you — it’s definitely one less thing they have to worry about.”

Smargissi’s fall schedule has been eye-watering: three AP classes, one honors class, football, basketball, National Honor Society (NHS), several clubs, and working as an intern in the Broadneck athletics department.

Through his high school time, he has been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Morgan’s Message, NHS (and all the service hours), Broadneck Athletic Leadership Council, and One Love. Prioritizing his grades and athletics has been important, but equally vital has been his prioritization and communication regarding his commitments.

“I just budget my free time,” Smargissi said. “Obviously homework is the most important thing, so I set aside time to do that, and if I ever have conflicting Bruin Blocks, two clubs in the same day, you’ve got to make a priority to let the leader know that you can’t make it that day. I think where a lot of people fail is when you don’t communicate that.”

That communication and prioritization is critical to Smargissi’s success in the classroom, and it undoubtedly helps in athletic competition.

He cracks the headlines on occasion, but has proven himself as a reliable, physical presence both on the football field and the basketball court. While most people know him for his football accomplishments, he approaches both sports with the same passion.

“I genuinely enjoy playing basketball, and I’ve played with most of the people on my team my whole life,” Smargissi said. “It gives me another place where I can go and compete, a whole other season where I can do that. When I get into the season, I really start to think how much I like it. There’s not a clearcut one and two between basketball, I really do like both.”

There might be no clear hierarchy in Smargissi’s mind, but football is where he garnered the biggest headlines. He leaves Broadneck in the school’s top five for both receptions and touchdowns. He earned all-region and all-state honors from the Maryland Football Foundation, as well as first all-county (coaches’ and media) and honorable mention all-metro recognition.

It was that effort, and the classroom, that led him to Washington and Lee, where he can launch his next phase of action.

“I chose it in order to pursue a top-notch business degree, and obviously continuing to play the sport I love,” Smargissi said. “The campus is beautiful, and the coaches are young and energetic, and they want to compete. It was the first school I visited, and I fell in love with it.

“I’m looking forward to building with a new team. Everyone comes from all over, so I’m excited for meeting them and getting to compete at a higher level against quality competition.”

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