COLLEGE PARK — The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism presents this year's Povich Symposium, featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning sports journalist Pablo Torre and a panel of all-star Merrill College alumni, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the Povich Center.
“What Would Shirley Say? Celebrating Sports and the Povich Center at 15” will discuss the changing landscape of sports journalism — and how good sports journalism is as important as ever — in honor of our namesake, late Washington Post sports columnist Shirley Povich.
This year's Povich Symposium, which will feature two panels, will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Riggs Alumni Center. The conversations also will be streamed live on the Merrill College YouTube page.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required and seating is limited. Register at go.umd.edu/Povich2026
The first panel will feature Torre, host and executive editor of “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” who won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting for his investigative coverage of the Los Angeles Clippers' salary cap scandal. He will be in conversation with Maury Povich, founding supporter of the Povich Center and host of the "On Par with Maury Povich” podcast.
The second panel, moderated by Merrill College Professor of the Practice Kevin Blackistone, will include:
- Frank Isola '87, SiriusXM and YES Network NBA analyst
- Tim Kurkjian '78, ESPN MLB analyst
- Monica McNutt '13, ESPN and MSG Networks basketball analyst
- John Ourand '89, Puck News sports correspondent
- Jimmy Roberts '79, NBC Sports, Golf Channel and Big Swing Media broadcaster
"As the Povich Center turns 15, we're excited to welcome back Maury Povich to College Park and to be presenting two outstanding conversations about the big issues in sports," said Mark Hyman, director of the Povich Center. "We're also celebrating Shirley Povich, our namesake, and recalling his gift for connecting sports, race, gender, ethics, business and more. Students at the Povich Center are exploring those same issues in their reporting today."
The first panel will begin promptly at 6 p.m., with the second to immediately follow. A reception will be held at 5 p.m. with drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
For more information, contact Kate Yanchulis, assistant director, The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism, at povichcenter@umd.edu.
About The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism
The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism prepares students to be innovators and leaders in all facets of sports media. The center's unique, experiential curriculum and public programs elevate and amplify discussion of race, gender, politics and the world — just as Shirley Povich did each morning in The Washington Post