The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism's mission extends beyond the classroom. We pride ourselves on connecting with our community in the following ways:
Jump to: Summer Camp | Povich Symposium | Lacy-Smith Award | Book Club
Summer Camp
The Shirley Povich Sports Journalism Summer Camp provides skills and inspiration to high school students interested in sports media.
Registration for the summer camp will open in March. If you would like to join our camp mailing list, please send a message to povichcenter@umd.edu with "Summer Camp" in the subject line.
Program Details
For high school students entering grades 9-12. (Note: We welcome students from everywhere but do not have an on-campus housing option at this time.)
Weeklong program held annually in July at Knight Hall on the University of Maryland campus.
Students are taught by real-world professionals and gain valuable hands-on experiences.
2026 Camp Schedule
Monday, July 6
- 9-9:30 a.m.: Check-in / Breakfast
- 9:30-10 a.m.: Welcome & Overview
- 10-10:30 a.m.: Interview Icebreaker Activity
- 10:30-11:30 a.m.: University of Maryland Campus Tour
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch
- 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Scavenger Hunt / Bingo
- 1:45-3 p.m.: Sports Writing 101
- 3 p.m.: Dismissal
Tuesday, July 8
- 9-9:30 a.m.: Check-in / Breakfast
- 9:30-10:45 a.m.: Play-by-Play Broadcasting
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Working for the Team
- 12-3 p.m.: World Cup Knockout Round
- 3 p.m.: Dismissal
Wednesday, July 9
- 9-9:30 a.m.: Check-in / Breakfast
- 9:30-10:45 a.m.: Working in Baseball
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Video Basics for Social Media
- 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch
- 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Tour of Xfinity Center
- 3 p.m.: Dismissal
Thursday, July 10
- 9-9:30 a.m.: Check-in / Breakfast
- 9:30-10:45 a.m.: Pardon the Interruption
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Sports Analytics
- 12-1 p.m.: Lunch
- 1-3 p.m.: eSports Production
- 3 p.m.: Dismissal
Friday, July 11
- 9-9:30 a.m.: Check-in / Breakfast
- 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Keynote Speaker — Dave Johnson, Washington Wizards
- 10:45-11:45 a.m.: Sports Social Media
- 12-1 p.m.: Lunch
- 1-2 p.m.: Final Preparations for Camp Stories
- 2-3 p.m.: Presentation of Camp Stories
- 3 p.m.: Dismissal
Shirley Povich Symposium
The Shirley Povich Symposium is an annual event sponsored by The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism and the Povich family that brings together leading figures in sports and journalism to discuss current topics in sports and their impact on society.
Latest Symposium: Soccer in the USA
The 20th annual Symposium, "Soccer in the USA: World Cup ’26 and Beyond," welcomed American soccer leaders and media members to discuss where the sport stands in the United States — and where it is headed.
Sam Lacy-Wendell Smith Award
Established in 2013 by The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism, the Sam Lacy-Wendell Smith Award is presented annually to a sports journalist or broadcaster who has made significant contributions to racial and gender equality in sports.
The award is named after Sam Lacy and Wendell Smith, Black sportswriters who spent much of their journalism careers advocating for fairness, equality and justice in sports. The winner is chosen by a committee composed of members of the Povich Center Advisory Board.
Past Winners
- 2025-26: Pam Ward '84
- 2024-25: Kevin Blackistone
- 2023-24: Jim Trotter
- 2022-23: Christine Brennan
- 2021-22: John Smallwood '87
- 2018-19: Bob Costas
- 2017-18: Michael Wilbon
- 2016-17: Bill Rhoden
- 2014-15: James Brown
- 2013-14: Claire Smith
About Sam Lacy and Wendell Smith
Sam Lacy was an African-American and Native American sportswriter who worked as a reporter, columnist, editor and a radio and TV host. He worked for the Washington Tribune, the Chicago Defender and the Baltimore Afro-American, where he wrote about baseball’s need for integration and Jackie Robinson’s ascent to the Major Leagues. He was the first African-American member of the Baseball Writers of America Association. He won the Red Smith Award for contributions to sports journalism in 1998. Lacy died in 2003 at the age of 99.
Wendell Smith was an African-American sportswriter who covered the Negro leagues for many African-American newspapers and boxing for the Chicago Tribune. He was also a TV sports anchor in Chicago and sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Smith was a chronicler of Jackie Robinson for the Pittsburgh Courier and is credited with encouraging Branch Rickey to give Robinson an opportunity to play in the major leagues. Smith died in 1972 at the age of 58.
Book Club
Each year, the Povich Center hosts a virtual book club with local high schools. The book club highlights and promotes discussion of sports and its intersection with race, gender and social movements.
Every participating student receives a copy of the book, and teachers incorporate the selected reading into their lessons. During the spring semester, we host a virtual discussion between students and teachers and the author of the book.
Past Book Club Selections
- 2025-26: John Urschel and co-author Louisa Thomas, "Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football"
- 2024-25: Katie Ledecky, "Just Add Water: My Swimming Life"
- 2023-24: Chris Paul and co-author Michael Wilbon, "Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court"
- 2022-23: Mirin Fader, "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP"
- 2021-22: John Thompson and co-author Jesse Washington, "I Came as a Shadow"
- 2020-21: Tommie Smith and co-author David Steele, "Silent Gesture"