Deana Garner-Smith became the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sun Devil Athletics in June of 2015, and previously served as the Senior Woman Administrator through Feb. 2021. She is primarily responsible for co-sport supervision over several sports teams; Sun Devil Athletics Title IX Deputy; liaison to campus for student-athlete engagement and health and welfare initiatives; oversees Sun Devil Athletics Sports Nutrition program; liaison to Sun Devil Athletics Counseling Lead; served on the Pac-12 Council and is the SWA liaison to the Pac-12 Swimming and Diving Coaches Committee. She also previously served as the SWA liaison to the Pac-12 Wrestling Coaches Committee.
In May of 2008, Garner-Smith began working at the National Football League as the Director of NFL Player Security Services and her current role was serving as the Player Engagement Director of Education. Her primary responsibilities included implementing and coordinating educational conduct related programming for NFL personnel including players. In 2014, she coordinated and lead the NFL’s Domestic Violence educational efforts.
Deana worked at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) from 1999 to 2008 where she worked in Enforcement Services Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities department. In this department she investigated allegations of NCAA rules violations involving gambling, sports agents and amateur status. She also provided educational presentations on these matters to member schools and universities; conferences as well as student-athletes and professional sports organizations and players associations.
For two years prior in 1996-1998, Deana served as staff counsel for the Indiana Gaming Commission (“Commission”). She worked closely with the Commission audit staff to review and approve table gaming schematics, slot machine gaming devices and riverboat casino marketing proposals and activities offered to the public and held on licensed Indiana Riverboats. She also worked with the Indiana State Police to conduct background checks of Indiana Riverboat occupational licensees who sought employment on the riverboat casinos. Finally, she assisted the Commission general counsel and drafted rules of play for table games.
She began her legal career working as a Deputy Prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Indianapolis, Indiana for approximately 9 years primarily focusing in the Domestic Violence courts. During her last year, she served as the supervisor of the Domestic Violence Unit.
Deana Garner-Smith is from Indianapolis, Indiana. She then attended Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French. Deana attended law school at Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis and obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1991.
In May of 2008, Garner-Smith began working at the National Football League as the Director of NFL Player Security Services and her current role was serving as the Player Engagement Director of Education. Her primary responsibilities included implementing and coordinating educational conduct related programming for NFL personnel including players. In 2014, she coordinated and lead the NFL’s Domestic Violence educational efforts.
Deana worked at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) from 1999 to 2008 where she worked in Enforcement Services Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities department. In this department she investigated allegations of NCAA rules violations involving gambling, sports agents and amateur status. She also provided educational presentations on these matters to member schools and universities; conferences as well as student-athletes and professional sports organizations and players associations.
For two years prior in 1996-1998, Deana served as staff counsel for the Indiana Gaming Commission (“Commission”). She worked closely with the Commission audit staff to review and approve table gaming schematics, slot machine gaming devices and riverboat casino marketing proposals and activities offered to the public and held on licensed Indiana Riverboats. She also worked with the Indiana State Police to conduct background checks of Indiana Riverboat occupational licensees who sought employment on the riverboat casinos. Finally, she assisted the Commission general counsel and drafted rules of play for table games.
She began her legal career working as a Deputy Prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Indianapolis, Indiana for approximately 9 years primarily focusing in the Domestic Violence courts. During her last year, she served as the supervisor of the Domestic Violence Unit.
Deana Garner-Smith is from Indianapolis, Indiana. She then attended Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French. Deana attended law school at Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis and obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1991.