Written by Carrie Wyman, Otterbein Athletics

WESTERVILLE, Ohio - Otterbein University is proud to welcome Marissa Smego as the new Director of Athletic Communications. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Smego brings a strong background in NCAA Division III athletics and a deep-rooted connection to the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). 

Smego arrives on campus after serving as the Sports Information Director at Albion College since 2020. Prior to that, she was the Director of Athletic Communications at MacMurray College in Illinois from 2018-2020. She began her professional career as a Graduate Assistant at Heidelberg University, after starring there as a four-year starting first baseman on the softball team. 

"Strengthening our Athletic Communications office is a strategic priority," said Otterbein Director of Athletics Dr. Greg Lott. "We have a ton of positive momentum in the department, and we are doing things that really differentiate us from our peers. It is imperative that we can communicate everything with all of our constituents across whatever platform can best reach them. We also want to fully take advantage of the new OAC partnership with FloSports to provide enhanced live streams of our contests.

Marissa Smego is the right person to advance our Athletic Communications office and amplify the Otterbein brand. She has tremendous respect throughout the field, an abundance of energy, is well-versed in covering our entire sports menu, and is passionate about telling the story of D-III student-athletes. It's also fun that she was an OAC athlete and started her career in the conference. We are excited to have her join us!" 

While at Albion, Smego earned recognition as a three-time MIAA Hartman Award winner for the best feature story across the conference and mentored Albion's first-ever Renner Award winner in 2024, which is awarded to the top student assistant in sports information. In December of 2024, she was named to the inaugural class of the NCAA Division III Emerging Elite, which recognizes rising leaders in the field. 

She is also an active member of the USBWA National Player of the Week committee, helping recognize top performers across collegiate basketball. 

"I'd like to thank Dr. Greg Lott, Stacey Conley, and everyone involved in the search process for the opportunity to join the Otterbein community," Smego said. "The OAC is home to me, and I'm excited to share the stories of the student-athletes and coaches at Otterbein. There's a rich tradition here, and I can't wait to be part of shaping its next chapter." 

Smego graduated from Heidelberg in 2016 with a double major in History and Sport Management, and later earned her MBA from the university in 2018. On the field, she was a two-time All-OAC and All-Region selection, the 2015 OAC batting champion with a .477 average, and helped lead the program to back-to-back OAC Tournament titles. She still holds Heidelberg records for career hits (201), single-season hits (71), and single-season doubles (21). 

Otterbein is excited to have Marissa Smego joining the Cardinal family. She will begin her role on campus Monday, July 21.