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Long Beach State enters the Black History Spotlight as we profile Le’Gretta Hinds Smith ('96) and Travon Free ('07).
 
Le’Gretta Hinds Smith is without a doubt the greatest female hurdler in Long Beach State history. Hinds Smith was a three-time Big West champion in the 400 hurdles and also medaled in the 100 hurdles. She reached the national championship in both events on three occasions, earning All-America honors in the 400 hurdles on two occasions.

Hinds Smith posted personal bests of 13.49 in the 100 hurdles (1994) and 57.53 in the 400 hurdles (1996), both of which are Beach records that still stand to this day. The 400 hurdles record was nearly broken by her teammate Asa Carlsson the following year after it was set, but since then no one has come close. The 100 record was nearly topped in 2012 but has endured every challenge. Hinds Smith is the only woman in LBSU history that owns a sub-13.5 in the 100 hurdles and sub-58.0 in the 400 hurdles.

Her athletic endeavors earned her a spot in the Long Beach State Hall of Fame. Currently Hinds Smith is the head Track & Field Coach at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind. She also works as a Technical Director with the NCAA. Her niece Ashley Spencer was a two-time NCAA Champion in the 400 meter run at the University of Texas.
 
Travon Free spent four years playing for the Long Beach State men's basketball team, overcoming several injuries to be a part of a squad that made the NCAA Tournament in 2007. He opted not to continue his playing career as a professional, instead choosing to pursue a career of stand-up comedy.

While enrolled at LBSU, Free would perform sets in Los Angeles at the Ice House, Laugh Factory and Improv. He earned a big following on social media thanks to his quick wit and social commentary and also with his performances in clubs across the country with comedian Russell Peters. In 2011 Free gained national headlines when he came out as bisexual, being credited as the first NCAA Division I men's basketball player to come out.

Free's comedic chops eventually landed him a gig writing for The Daily Show, with former host John Stewart personally inviting him to work for the show. He would win an Emmy award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 2015 and won the same award again two years later writing for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He is also the writer and co-director of Two Distant Strangers, which was recently shortlisted for the 2021 Academy Awards in Best Live Action Short Film.

Free is currently working on several projects including Him or Her, Camping and Black Monday. He is also penning projects for the big screen.

After Two Emmy Awards, He's Ready to End Bisexual Erasure in Hollywood - Out
Travon Free Goes From Compton to Long Beach State to the Daily Show - Press Telegram