Kean University Alumni Take Different Paths to Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins
Kean alumni Tyler Smarslok and Stephen Strom, (L-R), followed different career paths to the Miami Marlins MLB team.
Two Kean University alumni who never met on campus are now teamed up in Major League Baseball, reuniting as a coach and broadcaster for the Miami Marlins.
Tyler Smarslok, who graduated with a degree in exercise science in 2015, serves as a first base coach for the team, while Stephen Strom, a 2020 communications graduate, works as a full-time broadcaster.
The former Kean athletes met when Strom interviewed Smarslok for the Marlins’ Hot Stove show on the Marlins Radio Network.
“I started doing research and was amazed when I saw Tyler went to Kean. For our interview on Zoom, I wore my beat-up Kean basketball hoodie to surprise him,” Strom said. “We knew similar people there, and we’ve been tight ever since.”
Smarslok said working with another Kean grad provides “a sense of ‘home” at times.
“It’s been a lot of fun to have our Kean connection and the pride we have in it,” he said.
Both men found their career path at Kean.
Smarslok, originally from Jackson, chose Kean for its baseball team and exercise science program. He played shortstop and second base for the Cougars, winning the National Golden Glove Award at second base in 2013. He earned his degree in exercise science - global fitness and wellness.
He was coaching college baseball when he got an offer to coach with the Minnesota Twins franchise. After five years coaching Twins’ minor league teams, he moved to the Major League Marlins. He coaches first base, infield and baserunning there.
“I love coaching,” Smarslok said. “Playing baseball at Kean definitely paved the way for me in pursuing coaching as a career. Head Coach Neil Ioviero and the team lit a fire in me to always work your hardest for the things you want the most.”
Strom, who grew up in Old Bridge, transferred to Kean to play basketball and pursue a career in sports radio.
His first day on campus, he recalled seeing a poster recruiting students for Kean radio station WKNJ 90.3 FM. During class, Strom began writing down ideas for radio shows, and he later called station advisor and Assistant Professor Scott McHugh, Ph.D.
Working at WKNJ led to two internships with SiriusXM in New York City, including one with sports radio personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, and launched Strom’s career.
“As soon as I saw that poster, I was hooked,” he said, adding that McHugh’s classes “opened up a drive and passion I didn’t know existed” outside of basketball. “Kean allowed me to find my dream. I’m the smiley face on the cereal box of why you go to college, to find what you love and work tirelessly to get to your goal.”
Both men made powerful impressions on their Kean mentors. Ioviero recalled the stand-out letter Smarslok wrote seeking to play for Kean, promising to be “the hardest working player you’ll see.”
“He showed another level of desire and work ethic,” Ioviero said, noting Smarslok’s accomplishment of winning the National Golden Glove. “Tyler’s very good at what he does. He’s going to do well.”
McHugh recalled Strom as an exceptional student.
“Stephen had great drive,” he said, recalling him working tirelessly to develop his broadcasting skills and research every sport. “He established himself as a professional at a young age. There is no limit to what he can achieve in his career.”