Q&A with Academic All-American Breyden Smith

Meet Vikings football team captain Breyden Smith '26. He is Augustana's 184th Academic All-American, securing the college's Top 15 ranking among all U.S. colleges and universities. 

Q: What brought you to Augustana?

Smith: When I was deciding on a college, finding a balance that could provide me with a highly respected degree and the ability to play football at a high level was my biggest priority. I had heard Coach Bell talk about "4 for 40" multiple times when visiting. He essentially meant that these next four years would set me up for the next 40. 

After weighing my options, there was no doubt that the networking opportunities, rigorous coursework and preparation for the future offered at Augustana would best help me reach my future goals while becoming the best version of myself.

Q: Did you ever think you might earn Academic All-American recognition? What does it mean to you?

Smith: While my academics are very important to me, I had never really put them hand-in-hand with my athletics. Of course, I saw that when I was doing better in the classroom, I'd do better on the field and vice versa. But I never really understood that earning AAA status was such an honor in representing both aspects of life. 

I am grateful to have been awarded this status as well as to see the importance of finding a healthy balance in the things that matter most to me. Earning this has helped me understand what it means to put yourself in an environment that helps you become the best version of yourself. Augustana has presented me with the tools to do just that, which is a rarity that most schools try to sell you on but never can deliver.

Q: Best academic experience at Augustana?

Smith: My best academic experience was the entirety of my sophomore year Philosophy 103 class with Professor Bonzon. For an entry-level class, this experience opened my eyes in a way no other class in all of my education ever has. This class made me realize that for the past 15+ years, I had been taking my education for granted, not finding the true purpose in why we spend so much time in the classroom. 

I came to realize that, simply put, I've always been "chasing the A." I would always get caught up doing what I could to earn the best grade as opposed to learning the most material. Professor Bonzon's class, in a way, forced me to learn by questioning everything with "Why does this matter?"

Essentially, that's been the theme with what I've learned about receiving a liberal arts education — nothing matters if we don't know why it has a purpose in our lives. 

Q: Best athletic experience at Augustana?

Smith: My best athletic experience was earning the role of captain during my junior season with the football team. This mattered so much to me because it was something voted upon by my fellow teammates, both younger and older than me. To have earned that trust in a sport where trust is the most important thing was such an honor. 

Knowing that I was one of the few people to be selected by those I call my family added to the pride I already have in being a part of this program.

Q: What's ahead for you after Augustana?

Smith: Being a business and political science major, I intend to study law in pursuit of becoming an attorney. Gratefully, I am humble enough to understand that doing so is much more difficult than I understand now. And now that I am in the second semester of my junior year, I recognize that all the preparation for achieving my goals will only be turned up a notch with LSAT practice beginning. 

It is a lofty goal, but to me, that's what makes the journey so much more worth it. What is the point in having goals in life if they are not worth struggling for?