WATN? Bev Smith:

Within moments of being formally introduced as the new executive director for Kidsports on Tuesday, former Oregon basketball player and coach Bev Smith was getting her new ducks in a row.

Registration deadlines for the fall football and soccer seasons are looming, Smith noted. And two important fundraisers are coming up for the nonprofit that provides about 15,000 kids per year with the chance to participate in sports. In the midst of the national economic funk, to boot.

“We understand that,” Smith said. “But I can’t think of a better time to continue to provide opportunities for young kids to choose a healthy, constructive, socially important pathway for playing and moving their bodies with Kidsports.”