Michelle Smallmon: The Bold Rise From St. Louis Radio to ESPN’s National Morning Show
Michelle Smallmon is an American sports broadcaster, radio host, and former producer. She co-hosts ESPN Radio’s morning show, UnSportsmanLike, with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty. It airs on weekdays from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time through ESPN Radio, SiriusXM Channel 80, television coverage, and digital platforms. She began behind the scenes, mastered production, and slowly earned more time on air. Her years in Belleville and St. Louis prepared her for a national ESPN role.
Michelle Smallmon’s Early Life and Family
Her parents, Tony and Robin Smallmon, shaped her love of sports by taking her to St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues games. She learned to keep score at baseball games at a young age. She attended Althoff Catholic High School and played varsity soccer for four years. That experience later helped her connect naturally with players, coaches, and fans. She first considered becoming a dermatologist, but college chemistry changed her direction toward journalism and broadcasting.
Michelle Smallmon’s Age and Birthday
The strongest evidence supports 13 August 1986 as her date of birth. Her former station, 101 ESPN St. Louis, marked her birthday on 13 August. A University of Illinois feature published in November 2024 described her as 38. Based on those dated details, she is 39 years old in July 2026 and will turn 40 on 13 August 2026. ESPN does not give her full birth date in its official biography, so the birth year comes from combining these two sources.
Education at the University of Illinois
Michelle Smallmon entered the University of Illinois in 2004 and graduated in 2008 with a broadcast journalism degree. She joined Block I for football and Orange Krush for basketball during an exciting era for campus sports. Her training included work with Illini Productions, an opportunity connected with Monday Night Football, and an internship at KSDK in St. Louis.
Lessons That Shaped Her Career
Journalism teacher John Paul helped prepare students for real broadcasting work. Michelle built her future through internships, production duties, and guidance from experienced professionals.
The Start of Michelle Smallmon’s Career
After graduating in 2008, she gained a part-time production assistant role at KSDK. Her workday often began at 4:00 a.m. She wrote scripts, ran the teleprompter, and helped the sports department. Frank Cusumano and Rene Knott became important mentors. She later covered high school football and presented part of a Sunday sports program. These chances built her confidence on camera and radio.
Years at 101 ESPN St. Louis
Michelle Smallmon joined 101 ESPN in 2009. She produced shows, contributed on air, and learned how to build strong radio segments. A weekend opportunity helped lead to a producing role with respected St. Louis sports journalist Bernie Miklasz.
She remained with the station until 2015, then moved to ESPN Radio’s national operation in Bristol, Connecticut. There, she worked with hosts including Jorge Sedano, Jen Lada, Danny Kanell, Ryen Russillo, and Will Cain. This national work taught her how to shape stories and keep a live show moving.
Return to St. Louis
In 2018, she returned to 101 ESPN and later became a co-host with Randy Karraker. Karraker & Smallmon ran from May 2020 to September 2022. The program made station history because she became the first woman to have her name in a show title at 101 ESPN. The role brought local success, but she still wanted a larger national challenge.
The Brave Move to New York
In September 2022, Michelle left her secure St. Louis job and moved to New York City without a permanent broadcasting position. She began with a limited ESPN agreement that allowed the network to use her as a substitute host.
She accepted side jobs at a jewelry store and in meal packing while waiting for more radio chances. Near the end of that agreement, ESPN Radio executive Justin Craig offered her a permanent morning role. The offer became UnSportsmanLike, which began in September 2023.
How Her Producer Mindset Helps
Her years behind the control desk still guide her work today. She understands pacing, guest preparation, topic order, and the need to serve both serious sports fans and casual listeners. This balance helps the program move from major league debates to lighter personal moments without losing focus.
Michelle Smallmon on UnSportsmanLike
Michelle now co-hosts UnSportsmanLike with Evan Cohen and former NFL player Chris Canty. The show mixes sports news, debate, humor, personal stories, and audience reaction. Her production background helps her add depth, shift the tone, and keep a four-hour show active. Her style is calm, direct, thoughtful, and natural. She aims to make people think while giving them an enjoyable start to the day.
Other Media and Hosting Work
Her wider work includes in-game hosting for the St. Louis Battlehawks, video content for St. Louis City SC, podcasts, interviews, and community events.
Sports Interests, Running, and Charity
Michelle Smallmon grew up supporting the Cardinals, Blues, and former St. Louis Rams. After the Rams moved, she chose the Green Bay Packers because of their community ownership. She has remained connected to the University of Illinois and has returned to campus for ESPN assignments. Her career also includes hosting major dinners, New Year’s Eve events, and public sports conversations in St. Louis.
Running is also important in her life. She has taken part in long-distance events and used them to raise money. Her charity work has included cancer research, the St. Louis Zoo, and The Little Bit Foundation. She completed the New York City Marathon with Team V and said her fundraising brought in $32,000 for cancer research.
Is Michelle Smallmon Married?
There is no dependable confirmation that Michelle Smallmon is married. No trusted professional source names a husband, wife, spouse, or current partner. Her relationship status remains private.
Social Media and Current Presence
Michelle uses @msmallmon on Instagram and X. In July 2026, her Instagram account had about 53,000 followers, while her X account had about 44,600 followers. Her X account was created in March 2009. She shares work updates, sports views, fitness, travel, and behind-the-scenes moments while protecting much of her private life.
Why Michelle Smallmon’s Story Matters
Michelle Smallmon built her career through production skill, local radio experience, national work, and personal risk. She left a successful hometown role, moved to New York without a secure job, and earned a place on ESPN Radio’s national morning show.
Her journey shows that major careers can grow through steady learning rather than instant fame. She understands sports, respects preparation, and brings a clear human voice to national radio. Her rise from Belleville and St. Louis to ESPN is a story of discipline, courage, and professional growth.
