Michelle Smallmon made history as the first woman to have her name on a show at 101 ESPN St. Louis. She co-hosts ESPN Radio’s morning show ‘Unsportsmanlike’ from 6-10 a.m. ET. Her rise from a production assistant at KSDK-TV to a national radio personality demonstrates her remarkable determination.
She spent four years at 101 ESPN in St. Louis where she excelled as both producer and on-air talent before returning to the national ESPN Radio network in 2022. Her connection to sports runs deep through family ties. Her grandfather served as a batboy for the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals during the 1940s and 1950s.
This detailed look at her career will explore her early life and breakthrough moments in sports media. We’ll also highlight her historic achievements at 101 ESPN St. Louis and her current success at ESPN Radio.
Early Life and Sports Foundation
Michelle Smallmon was born on August 13, 1986, in Belleville, Illinois. Sports weren’t just entertainment in her household – they were a way of life. The family lived by a simple motto: “Death, taxes, and Cardinal baseball,” which sparked her early love for the game that would shape her future career.
Growing up in a sports-loving family
Tony and Robin Smallmon made sure their home breathed sports from every corner. Robin dressed young Michelle in team jerseys and matching pigtails. Baseball ran deep in the family’s blood, especially through her grandfather Ron Smallmon. He served as a batboy for both the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals during the 1940s and 1950s. His time with the team brought him close to baseball legends like Stan Musial, who would ask him to wash their cars and let him keep the change – evidence of the family’s deep connection to the sport.
Michelle tried several sports as a child. She started with dance, volleyball, and softball before finding her true calling in soccer. Her talent on the soccer field earned her a spot on the varsity team during her freshman year at Althoff High School. She ended up becoming co-captain in her senior year in 2004, leading the team to the state championships.
Father’s influence on sports passion
Tony Smallmon, a successful real estate broker, played a crucial role in developing Michelle’s love for sports. He went beyond just watching games with her. The two spent time at Cardinals games where he taught her to keep score and understand the game’s finer points.
A defining moment showed just how deeply sports had become part of Michelle’s life. She watched a Miami Dolphins game wearing a Dan Marino jersey and burst into tears when the team lost. Tony knew then that he had helped foster a true sports fan.
Tony expanded Michelle’s sports world throughout her years in Belleville. He took her to hockey and football games, and stepped into the role of coach. This sports-focused environment laid the groundwork for her future career.
Breaking Into Sports Media
Smallmon began her career as a production assistant at KSDK-TV in St. Louis right after graduating from the University of Illinois with a broadcast journalism degree. The economy wasn’t great at the time.
First steps at KSDK-TV
Her workday started at 3:30 a.m. on Today in St. Louis. She regularly stayed past her 2 p.m. shift to help sportscaster Frank Cusamano and sports director Rene Knott. Her steadfast dedication earned her chances to shoot and edit high school sports events. She learned everything possible about sports broadcasting and became an essential team member.
Transition to radio production
Smallmon’s career took a new direction after Knott invited her to co-host his weekend show on 101 ESPN. An executive spotted her talent and suggested she apply for an available producer position. She faced tough competition from seasoned candidates but impressed Bernie Miklasz during her interview.
She made a bold statement in the interview: “If that person is as great as you say that they are and have this much experience, they will have no problem finding another job when you hire me to be your producer”. This confidence, along with her passion for sports, won her the position.
Key mentors and supporters
Bernie Miklasz became one of Smallmon’s greatest influences. He recognized her potential “about five minutes into the interview”. Her blend of “knowledge, spark and sincerity” matched exactly what he wanted in a producer. Her colleague D’Marco created a welcoming environment by treating her as “one of the guys”.
Amanda Gifford and Louise Cornetta at ESPN headquarters became vital mentors who provided guidance and support. Their mentorship and a network of supportive women in the industry helped Smallmon direct her path in the male-dominated world of sports broadcasting. These relationships deepened her commitment to mentor aspiring female broadcasters and advocate for better representation in sports media.
Rise at 101 ESPN St. Louis
Michelle Smallmon’s career at 101 ESPN St. Louis took off through her talent, determination, and mentorship. She produced several signature shows from 2009-2015 and became a powerful voice in sports broadcasting.
Producer to on-air personality journey
Smallmon’s work included producing and contributing to major programs, especially ‘The Bernie Miklasz Show’ and ‘The Fast Lane’ with Randy Karraker, Farr, and former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Brad Thompson. She started behind the scenes, but her wit and sports knowledge caught everyone’s attention as hosts often asked for her input during broadcasts.
She took her next big step in 2014 by hosting the weekly ‘Rams Playmakers’ show and conducted detailed player interviews. Bernie Miklasz became her strongest supporter, saying she “could hang with any guy in terms of sports knowledge” and “should be a star”.
Notable shows and achievements
Smallmon’s return to St. Louis in 2018 marked a turning point in her career. She co-hosted ‘Karraker & Smallmon,’ where she combined humor, analysis, and relatability. The show’s success came from her natural partnership with Randy Karraker that earned praise and built a loyal audience.
She made history in May 2020 as the first woman to have her name on a show in 101 ESPN’s history. Her success inspired many female sports fans in the area and parents whose daughters found a role model in sports media through her work.
St. Louis lost its NFL franchise, but Smallmon thrived by focusing on the city’s baseball culture. She observed that “St. Louis is so singular and their obsession with baseball and with that team, with the St. Louis Cardinals, that even when the Rams were there, it was still Cardinals basically 24/7, 365”. This market’s unique character shaped her versatility as a broadcaster and prepared her for national opportunities.
Making History at ESPN Radio
Michelle Smallmon said goodbye to her St. Louis audience in September 2022 and took a position at ESPN’s headquarters, lovingly called ‘The Mothership’ in Bristol, Connecticut.
Journey to ‘The Mothership’
Smallmon rejoined the national ESPN Radio network in 2022 and worked on weekend content. She produced weekday evening radio programming for the “Jorge & Jen” show. All the same, her skills and talent quickly led to more duties when she started doing overnight SportsCenter updates for ESPN Radio.
Amanda Gifford and Louise Cornetta were a great help to Smallmon during her early ESPN days. They helped her guide through the ever-changing network environment. She showed true professionalism even when faced with challenges. A household accident left her with a black eye right before her national television debut.
Becoming morning show co-host
ESPN Radio made one of its most important lineup changes in August 2023. They chose Smallmon to host their flagship morning show ‘Unsportsmanlike’ with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty. This new trio replaced Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, and Max Kellerman, starting a fresh chapter in ESPN Radio’s programming.
The show airs from 6-10 a.m. ET on ESPN Radio with a simulcast on ESPN2/ESPNU, and fans quickly embraced it. Cohen brings his 20+ years of sports media knowledge, while Canty adds his NFL championship experience. Smallmon’s thorough preparation and unique point of view help create engaging content.
Their chemistry shows in many ways, from sports debates to everyday talk. Smallmon acts as the “voice of reason” between her co-hosts and offers balanced views that appeal to listeners. The show blends sharp sports analysis with entertaining debate. Their family-like dynamic makes listeners feel part of their daily conversations, which drives their soaring success.
Conclusion
Michelle Smallmon’s climb from a passionate sports fan in Belleville to a groundbreaking voice on ESPN Radio is evidence of her determination and talent. She started as a production assistant with pre-dawn shifts and built her career through meaningful connections with mentors like Bernie Miklasz and Amanda Gifford.
She made history as the first woman with a named show at 101 ESPN St. Louis. Now, her role co-hosting ‘Unsportsmanlike’ demonstrates her skill at blending sharp analysis with engaging conversation. Her authentic sports knowledge and genuine personality appeal to audiences nationwide, even away from her Cardinals-loving hometown.
Smallmon’s success reaches beyond her personal achievements. She leads a new generation of sports broadcasters who show that passion, preparation, and perseverance matter more than gender in sports media. Her ongoing impact at ESPN Radio’s morning show inspires aspiring broadcasters, particularly young women who dream of careers in sports media.
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