Michelle Smallmon: Career, ESPN Radio and the Story Behind Her Rise

Michelle Smallmon has spent nearly two decades building one of the most respected voices in American sports radio. She started as a behind the scenes producer and worked her way up to co hosting a national ESPN Radio morning show. Her path from a small Illinois town to a national broadcast booth shows what steady effort and deep sports knowledge can accomplish in a competitive industry.

This article breaks down her early life, education, career milestones and current role at ESPN. It also answers common questions people search for when they want to know more about her.

Who Is Michelle Smallmon

Michelle Smallmon is an American sports radio host, producer and media personality. She is best known as the co-host of ESPN Radio’s national morning show Unsportsmanlike, which airs weekday mornings alongside Evan Cohen and Chris Canty. Before her national role, she spent years building her reputation in St. Louis sports media, first as a producer and later as an on-air host.

Her career reflects a rare mix of production skill and on-air presence. Few broadcasters manage both sides of radio so successfully, and that dual experience is part of what makes her stand out among her peers.

Early Life and Background

Michelle Smallmon was born on August 13, 1986, in Belleville, Illinois, a city just outside St. Louis. Growing up close to St. Louis meant she was surrounded by passionate fans of the Cardinals and Blues from an early age. Sports were part of daily life in her household and her community.

Her interest in athletics was not limited to watching games. She played volleyball at the varsity level in high school and served as a team co-captain during her senior year. That early exposure to team sports and competition helped shape the sports instincts she would later bring to her broadcasting career.

Education in Broadcast Journalism

After finishing high school, Smallmon enrolled at the University of Illinois to study broadcast journalism. She graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in the field. Her college years gave her a foundation in storytelling, media production and on-air communication, skills that would prove essential once she entered the radio industry.

A formal broadcast journalism education is not always required to succeed in sports radio, but it gave Smallmon an early technical advantage. She understood production workflows and interview techniques before she ever sat behind a microphone professionally.

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Career Beginnings in Radio

Smallmon’s career did not start with a hosting chair. Like many successful broadcasters, she began behind the scenes. Her first major opportunity came with 101 ESPN in St. Louis, where she worked as a producer from around 2009 to 2015. During this period she contributed to weekly sports commentary and handled remote production duties, including coverage tied to St. Louis Rams games.

This stretch of her career was less visible to listeners but critical to her growth. Producing a live sports show teaches pacing, editorial judgment and how to manage unpredictable moments on air, lessons that on-air hosts rarely learn as thoroughly.

Rise Through 101 ESPN St. Louis

Smallmon’s on-air breakthrough came when she took over hosting duties at 101 ESPN. From May 2020 to September 2022, she co-hosted the popular morning show Karraker & Smallmon. This role marked a milestone not just for her personally but for the station itself.

She became the first woman to have her name featured on a daily sports radio show in the station’s history. That achievement carried weight beyond St. Louis, since sports talk radio has historically been a male-dominated format. Her success helped open doors for other women pursuing similar roles across the industry.

Move to National ESPN Radio

In 2022, Smallmon returned to the national ESPN Radio network, this time as a host rather than a producer. She now co-hosts Unsportsmanlike, ESPN Radio’s signature morning show, airing from 6 to 10 a.m. ET alongside Evan Cohen and Chris Canty.

The show covers major storylines across the NFL, NBA, MLB and other leagues, blending analysis with conversational banter. Smallmon’s role gives her a national platform to interview major sports figures, and she has spoken with athletes including Tom Brady, LeBron James, Mike Trout and Patrick Mahomes over the course of her career.

Beyond Radio: Other Ventures

Smallmon’s work extends past the ESPN Radio booth. She has taken on live event and digital roles connected to her hometown market, keeping her presence strong in St. Louis even as her national profile has grown.

Role	Organization	Focus
In-game host	St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL)	Live game presentation
Content contributor	St. Louis City SC (MLS)	Digital and video content
National co-host	ESPN Radio	Unsportsmanlike morning show
Former local host	101 ESPN St. Louis	Karraker & Smallmon

She also stays active in charitable work. She has participated in fundraising efforts such as marathon running for the V Foundation, a cancer research organization, showing a commitment to community involvement outside of her broadcasting duties.

Career Timeline at a Glance

• 2004: Co-captain of her high school volleyball team, senior year
• 2008: Graduated University of Illinois with a degree in broadcast journalism
• 2009 to 2015: Radio producer at 101 ESPN St. Louis
• 2020 to 2022: Co-host of Karraker & Smallmon on 101 ESPN
• 2022: Returned to national ESPN Radio as a host
• Present: Co-host of Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio

What Makes Her Stand Out

Smallmon’s rise is notable for a few reasons. She built credibility from the ground up rather than entering broadcasting through a direct on-air path. She also achieved a milestone as the first woman to headline a daily sports radio show in her local market’s history.

Her interviewing style is often described as going beyond surface level questions, drawing out more authentic responses from athletes and coaches. That approach, paired with her deep sports knowledge from a lifetime of following St. Louis teams, has helped her build a loyal national audience.

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Personal Life

Smallmon tends to keep her personal life private and rarely discusses relationships publicly. She was raised by her parents in the Belleville, Illinois area and has maintained close ties to the St. Louis community throughout her career, even after moving into national broadcasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Michelle Smallmon?

She is an American sports radio host and former producer, best known as co-host of ESPN Radio’s national morning show Unsportsmanlike.

Where did Michelle Smallmon go to college?

She attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 2008 with a degree in broadcast journalism.

What show does Michelle Smallmon host now?

She co-hosts Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio, airing weekday mornings alongside Evan Cohen and Chris Canty.

Did Michelle Smallmon work in St. Louis radio before ESPN Radio?

Yes, she spent years at 101 ESPN in St. Louis, first as a producer and later as co-host of Karraker & Smallmon.

Is Michelle Smallmon the first woman to host a show at 101 ESPN?

Yes, she became the first woman to have her name featured on a daily sports radio show in the station’s history.

Does Michelle Smallmon work outside of radio?

Yes, she has served as an in-game host for the St. Louis Battlehawks and contributed content for St. Louis City SC.

Is Michelle Smallmon married?

As of recent public information, she has kept her relationship status private and has not publicly confirmed a marriage.

Final Thoughts

Michelle Smallmon’s career is a strong example of how consistency and versatility can build a lasting broadcasting career. She did not skip steps. She learned production first, earned an on-air chance through years of preparation, then turned that opportunity into a milestone role at her local station before reaching the national stage.

Her story carries a lesson beyond sports media. Building real expertise behind the scenes often creates a stronger foundation than chasing visibility too early. For anyone following her career, or for aspiring broadcasters studying her path, Michelle Smallmon represents steady growth, authenticity and the value of putting in the groundwork before stepping into the spotlight.