A 20‑year‑old sophomore on the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team, Emily Smith, was killed early Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle in an alleged hit‑and‑run on the streets of Potsdam, New York.
A life defined by sport and service
Emily Smith had led Greenville to a 19‑1 record and captured a Patroon Conference title in 2024, and she also excelled as a runner on the cross‑country and track squads. A lifelong vegetarian who adopted the diet at age five after learning the origin of the burger on her plate, she spent a formative mission in Costa Rica building shelters and volunteering at an animal shelter.
Her father, Kevin Smith, recalled her kindness and urged others to choose kindness in her memory, describing the outpouring of support the family has received from the town.
Andrew Tobin, executive chef and owner of Lil' Piece BBQ and Catering where Emily was slated to work this summer, remembered her infectious smile and her generosity.
Friends including Jakob Krise, Brittany Cohen, Bobby Shields, and siblings Faith Smith, Hannah Smith, Sydney Smith, and Trey Smith have come together to organize a memorial gathering, while the broader campus community prepares to honor her legacy.
The incident has sparked conversations about road safety and the impact of a young athlete whose compassion extended far beyond the court.