BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Arthur Smith, a veteran spirit coordinator and coach, has led the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners spirit program since 2013, cultivating a legacy of championship success and deep student engagement.
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Smith began his cheer career at Wichita State University, where he served as a three-time team captain from 2003 to 2005. Under his leadership, the Shockers achieved three consecutive second-place finishes in the Division I category at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Championships.
In 2005, Smith was named head coach of the Wichita State Small Co-Ed Cheerleading team. The following year, he guided the team to its first national championship, securing the 2006 Nation’s Best Championships Division I title.
Smith advanced his coaching career at Purdue University from 2006 to 2010. There, he led the Boilermakers to four consecutive top-five finishes in the Division IA Collegiate Cheer division at the NCA Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.
In 2013, Smith joined CSU Bakersfield as the university’s first spirit coordinator—a dual-role position combining Athletics and Campus Programming. He was tasked with bridging athletic events and student life to enrich the overall campus experience.
Under Smith’s leadership, the Roadrunner cheer team captured back-to-back Collegiate Open Division titles at the PPAACC Championships in 2016 and 2017. His success extended beyond cheer, as CSU Bakersfield’s winter guard team also clinched a divisional title at PPAACC during the 2017–18 season. The program continued to excel in 2025, winning another PPAACC Collegiate Open Division title, while Rowdy the Roadrunner earned a national mascot title at the USA Spirit Nationals in the Collegiate Mascot Division in Anaheim.
In May 2022, Smith was promoted to a role in marketing and fan experience, taking charge of sponsorship fulfillment and on-court fan engagement. Despite the new responsibilities, he continues to lead the university’s spirit programs with dedication and vision.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in minority studies and sociology from Wichita State University (2006). He lives in Bakersfield with his German shepherd, Theodore.
