SALEM, Va. Over time, the Roanoke Valley Sports Club has drawn big names to the area as guest speakers-- such as coaches and former players. Marty Smith spoke to a room of dozens to share his message of kindness, effort and compassion. And by the end of the night, it was Smith who gave a Giles County native an opportunity. Smith surprised Ty Lowery with a Never Settle scholarship as part of Tomorrows Team Inc., to help cover his expenses as a college student-athlete. Smith also signed copies of his New York Times Bestselling book, Never Settle: Sports, Family and the American Soul.

Marty Smith, a Giles County native and now popular ESPN reporter and correspondent for "College GameDay" releases his first book Tuesday, Aug. 6. Smith, 43, graduated from Radford University and covered sports for daily newspapers for the Roanoke area before joining NASCAR.com, then ESPN in 2006. Currently Smith is one of ESPNs most popular and recognized reporters and host covering college football, basketball, the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and more. Smith launched his own show, "Marty Smiths America" in August 2017 on ESPN2. You can purchase his book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target and more.