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Faculty and Staff Profile
Rikishi T. Smith-ReyAssistant ProfessorFormer Division I Student-Athlete Office: Strode Tower 404 Phone: Email: rrey@clemson.edu Vita: View | |
Educational BackgroundPh.D. Communication M.A. Communication B.A. Communication | Courses TaughtUndergraduate
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Profile
•Faculty Fellow - Robert H. Brooks Sport Science Institute •Vice Chair and Program Planner - National Communication Association Communication & Sport •Clemson Athletic Council CBSHS Representative •Advisor for Association for Women in Sports Media I am a first-generation college student, born and raised in Southern California. I completed my undergraduate degree at CSU, Fullerton with a Division I soccer scholarship. After my athletic career, I became a professional wedding photographer shooting events in both the U.S. and the U.K. I then went on to earn my M.A. in Communication from CSUF (2019) and my Ph.D. from Chapman University (2022). I am fully trained in mixed methods research, strategic communication, grant writing, and translational research. Other professional experience spans multiple industries, including serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a EV Charging start-up, a decade as a social media and marketing director, five years as a professional wedding photographer, and ten years as a soccer coach, co-coaching ECNL and RL-level as well as high school varsity girls soccer. Outside of work, you’ll find me training for my next half marathon, at a Lagree Pilates studio, baking sourdough bread, cooking, or spending time with my two rescue dogs—Harper and Aly (and my angel Finley). I love good coffee, a drink with friends, English Premier League matches (COYG), and traveling. As my students always hear, "just don't suck." Advisees Clemson University Sarah Allison (Expected Spring '27) - Comprehensive exams Iman Johnson (Expected Spring '27) - Comprehensive exams Shea Hammond (Expected Spring '26) - Comprehensive exams Brannon Timms (Fall '25) - Thesis examining ACC, BIG 12, + BIG 10 Coaches' Perspectives on Provided Social Support Due To Conference Realignment Marissa Bennett (Spring '25) - Project with Clemson Football team and their Clemson Applied Science Lab (CASL) to Improve Soreness Reporting and Reduce Injuries During Season Jalen Terrell (Spring '25) - Thesis on the Commodification and Objectification of Black Athletes in the NFL Nicole Pfaff (Spring '24) - Comprehensive exams Committee Member Clemson University Lexi Merriman (Spring '25) - Thesis Hannah Gertz (Spring '24) - Thesis University of Delaware Claire Wanzer (Expected '26) | |
Research InterestsHeath Communication
Research Publications16. Rey, R. T., Weber, K., Johnson, Z. D., LaBelle, S., & Waldeck, J. H. (R&R) The development and validation of the Learned Lessons in Sport Scale. International Journal of Sport Communication Honors and Awards7. Department of Communication Award for Excellence in Service (2026)
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