Hope College two-sport, student-athlete Derik Smith will share his inspirational story at this year’s event.  Derick Smith is a junior physical and health education major from Niles, Michigan (Edwardsburg HS) who competes on the Flying Dutchmen’s football and track and field teams. As a child, Smith had part of his right leg amputated after a cancer diagnosis. Derik Smith  is a guest of the NFL’s and American Cancer Society’s Crucial Catch program and was chosen to announce a Denver Broncos’ Day 3 pick during the 2024 NFL Draft in downtown Detroit.

Smith’s story has drawn nationwide attention, including as part of the TV special “Courage in Sports: Gridiron Greatness” presented by the USAA insurance company on CBS last fall. Smith also represented Team USA at the 2022 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation World Games in Santo Antonio, Portugal. Smith won his division in the discus, long jump and 100-meter run. In 2023, Smith was named the recipient of the Hope Athletics Karen Page Courage Award.