Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Andy Mead/ACC
Deacon Sports Xtra: Smart Recognized with Ron and Linda Wellman Lifetime Teammate Award
5/24/2022 12:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer, Les Johns
A fulfilling senior season was capped off earlier this month as Smart was recognized with the Ron and Linda Wellman Lifetime Teammate Award at the Black & Golden Globes.
After missing the bulk of her first two years because of injuries, then having the 2020 campaign drastically altered because of the pandemic, Shayla Smart led the Demon Deacons in goals and points in 2021 as the Wake Forest Women's Soccer team made a return to the NCAA Tournament.
A fulfilling senior season was capped off earlier this month as Smart was recognized with the Ron and Linda Wellman Lifetime Teammate Award at the Black & Golden Globes.
"I had no idea, not even the slightest clue," Smart said about winning the award. "Mr. Wellman gave an emotional speech that resonated with all of us, and I know it made my teammates emotional. Just to hear him call my name."
"I stayed sitting for a minute and was wondering if I was hallucinating. It was shocking to be nominated for that award. It was such a tremendous feeling. It was a mix of nervousness and being proud to be given such an award like that."
While the team had a good time all night long, they were especially raucous as Smart's name was announced for the Wellman accolade — with screams, smiles and hugs moving like a wave through the section.
"I wouldn't say I'm extroverted with a ton of friends," Smart said about what makes her a good teammate. "But the friends I do have, I'd do anything for them; and they know that — whether soccer related or not. I ride for my girls when the time comes, and I think that's what stood out for me to get this award."
"It was a great reaction. They were all super happy for me. This week I've just been over the moon. It's been great to be recognized as a student, a player and a teammate."
Smart was one of three Wake Forest student-athletes, joining runner Zach Facioni and tennis player Anna Brylin, to be named a Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship Award recipient. She plans to use that scholarship to fuel her work in a Physician Assistant program at a school still yet to be determined.
"It's a competitive application process," Smart explained. "I'm just seeing what happens."
It was so much fun. I couldn't think of a better way to finish out my time here at Wake Forest. It made everything that happened my first two years worth it. I'm really proud.
Although Smart had more than her share of heartbreaks and triumphs at Spry Stadium, the highlight for her last season came in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Pitt, where she netted the game-winning goal early in the second half, off a Hulda Arnarsdottir shot that had bounced off the crossbar.
"That was pretty sick," Smart said. "Everything happened so fast. I just remember it being a crazy feeling. The shot hit the crossbar and I finished it on a half-volley. That's engraved in my memory. I couldn't believe it went in. It was an awesome experience."
After arriving at Wake Forest in 2018 as a highly-touted recruit having played on the world stage while grabbing state championships and player of the year honors, Smart had to persevere through a lot of struggles her first three seasons as a Demon Deacon.
It all paid off with a fantastic senior campaign, and Smart said the difficult journey was worth it for the tremendous payoff.
"I'm retiring," she said about her soccer future. "I'm super thankful and have had such a great 16 years playing soccer. I do have some eligibility left. Some family, friends and coaches have asked me why I'm not going to play anymore, but I'm just ready to start this next chapter in the medical field.
"I'm forever grateful for what soccer has allowed me to do. I can't imagine wrapping up my career in a better way than this year. I have no complaints at all. I love what we were able to do as a team this year."
A fulfilling senior season was capped off earlier this month as Smart was recognized with the Ron and Linda Wellman Lifetime Teammate Award at the Black & Golden Globes.
"I had no idea, not even the slightest clue," Smart said about winning the award. "Mr. Wellman gave an emotional speech that resonated with all of us, and I know it made my teammates emotional. Just to hear him call my name."
"I stayed sitting for a minute and was wondering if I was hallucinating. It was shocking to be nominated for that award. It was such a tremendous feeling. It was a mix of nervousness and being proud to be given such an award like that."
While the team had a good time all night long, they were especially raucous as Smart's name was announced for the Wellman accolade — with screams, smiles and hugs moving like a wave through the section.
"I wouldn't say I'm extroverted with a ton of friends," Smart said about what makes her a good teammate. "But the friends I do have, I'd do anything for them; and they know that — whether soccer related or not. I ride for my girls when the time comes, and I think that's what stood out for me to get this award."
"It was a great reaction. They were all super happy for me. This week I've just been over the moon. It's been great to be recognized as a student, a player and a teammate."
Smart was one of three Wake Forest student-athletes, joining runner Zach Facioni and tennis player Anna Brylin, to be named a Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship Award recipient. She plans to use that scholarship to fuel her work in a Physician Assistant program at a school still yet to be determined.
"It's a competitive application process," Smart explained. "I'm just seeing what happens."
It was so much fun. I couldn't think of a better way to finish out my time here at Wake Forest. It made everything that happened my first two years worth it. I'm really proud.
Although Smart had more than her share of heartbreaks and triumphs at Spry Stadium, the highlight for her last season came in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Pitt, where she netted the game-winning goal early in the second half, off a Hulda Arnarsdottir shot that had bounced off the crossbar.
"That was pretty sick," Smart said. "Everything happened so fast. I just remember it being a crazy feeling. The shot hit the crossbar and I finished it on a half-volley. That's engraved in my memory. I couldn't believe it went in. It was an awesome experience."
After arriving at Wake Forest in 2018 as a highly-touted recruit having played on the world stage while grabbing state championships and player of the year honors, Smart had to persevere through a lot of struggles her first three seasons as a Demon Deacon.
It all paid off with a fantastic senior campaign, and Smart said the difficult journey was worth it for the tremendous payoff.
"I'm retiring," she said about her soccer future. "I'm super thankful and have had such a great 16 years playing soccer. I do have some eligibility left. Some family, friends and coaches have asked me why I'm not going to play anymore, but I'm just ready to start this next chapter in the medical field.
"I'm forever grateful for what soccer has allowed me to do. I can't imagine wrapping up my career in a better way than this year. I have no complaints at all. I love what we were able to do as a team this year."
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerWake Forest Women's Golf: Kim Lewellen Women's History Month Feature
Monday, March 16
Men's Basketball Postgame Presser vs. Clemson, 2026 ACC Tournament
Thursday, March 12
Wake Forest Women's Basketball: Mary Carter Women's History Month Feature
Wednesday, March 11
Sebastian Akins Tough
Wednesday, March 11