NORTHAMPTON - Smith Athletics is bringing the excitement of a college basketball pregame show to campus with Gameday at the Birthplace on Saturday, November 7 starting at 2:00pm, a special event celebrating the trajectory of women's basketball at Smith, from its origin right here on our campus, to the numerous historic milestones the team has accomplished.

Inspired by the atmosphere and energy of ESPN College GameDay, Gameday at the Birthplace will bring together students, faculty, staff, and fans for a high-energy celebration ahead of Smith basketball action. The event will feature a pregame show, exclusive highlight videos, live interviews, gameday food by local restaurants, free t-shirts, a beer garden, 360 degree photobooth, build-a-bear, and face painting before Smith begins the 2026-27 season at 4:00pm vs Immaculata. 

"At the birthplace of women's basketball, we have a unique ability to tell the stories of the past while celebrating the successes of today. The women at Smith in the late 1800s didn't wait for someone else to imagine the future of basketball, they created it. I'm proud that this is the mindset that defines us today.This incredible Gameday experience will set a standard, challenge how we honor DIII women athletes, and help push Division III women's basketball forward. They had the vision to start this game, and now we have the responsibility to help shape its future." -Head Coach Lynn Hersey

Event Details
Date - Saturday, November 7 | Scott Gym, Smith College
2:00pm - Food** (Joe's Cafe, La Veracruzana, Wildwood BBQ, Silos Ice Cream, Latest Kraez Cookies), Beer Garden, Face paining, Tattoos, Build-a-Bear, 360 degree photobooth
3:00pm - Gameday show hosted by ESPN Women's College Basketball Analyst Christy Thomaskutty and TV Personality Jalynn Holmes
4:00pm - Smith vs Immaculata in Ainsworth Gym (Color Analyst Christy Thomaskutty & Play-by-Play Commentator Tyler Byrum)
**Free Nike Gameday t-shirts for the first 400 fans
**First 200 Smith students receive 2 free food tickets
**Admission to this event and game is free for everyone, with food and beer garden tickets available for purchase at the door















The centerpiece of the event will be a live pregame show featuring highlight videos and interviews with Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton, head basketball coach Lynn Hersey, athletic director Kristin Hughes, and members of the basketball team. Fans will get an inside look at the program, hear from the people who make Smith basketball special, and build excitement for the upcoming game. 

"Gameday at the Birthplace" is designed to bring the energy of a major college basketball event to Smith's campus while highlighting the success, legacy, and community surrounding Bears basketball. With an engaging pregame show, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and a festive game-day atmosphere, the event will offer the Smith community a new way to connect with the program and be part of the action before tip-off. 
 

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Christy Thomaskutty - ESPN Women's College Basketball Analyst
Thomaskutty joined ESPN in 2017 as a women's college basketball analyst, primarily calling SEC and Big 12 games. Prior to her work with ESPN, Thomaskutty was the head women's basketball coach at Emory University from 2003-2017. During her 14 seasons, she led the Eagles to 187 wins. During the 2012-13 campaign, the Eagles saw a 24-4 overall record and won the program's first University Athletic Association title. That team also advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA DIII Tournament and the 24 wins were a school record. Thomaskutty spent her playing career at Tulane University, where she led the Green Wave to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Her name sits atop the Tulane record book in 3-pointers made with 295 and in 3-point field goal percentage (.379).


Tyler Byrum - Sports TV and Radio Play-by-Play Commentator
Byrum's sports media experience spans over a decade, featuring published work at Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports Washington, Fox Sports 2, ESPN+ among many others. At Monumental Sports Network, he covers the Washington Mystics and multiple college basketball programs in DC as a writer. Byrum graduated from George Mason University with a masters degree in Sport Communication and bachelors degree in Communication with a focus on journalism. 



Jalynn Holmes - TV Personality
Former NCAA Division I athlete turned sports host, reporter, and analyst -- bringing the perspective of a competitor to every broadcast, interview, and live event. Over the past two years, Holmes has covered 80+ NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NWSL events, delivered 15+ live ESPN+ broadcasts, conducted 60+ interviews with athletes, coaches, executives, and media personalities, and hosted or moderated live events ranging from awards programs to panel discussions. Today, she cover organizations including the Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, Washington Spirit, American University Athletics, and Double Take Sports, while continuing to grow The Classic Voice—a platform dedicated to timeless storytelling, authentic conversations, and meaningful sports coverage.

About Smith Athletics Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.