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.

Nov. 12, 2024: The Year of Women's Sports

The 19th Annual Povich Symposium, held on Nov. 12, 2024, brought together sports reporters and executives to discuss how the game — and the business — of women's sports are changing.

The first panel, "Changing the Business of Women's Sports," featured: Christine Brennan, USA TODAY Sports columnist and CNN, ABC News and PBS NewsHour commentator; Phil de Picciotto, Octagon sports and entertainment agency president and founder; Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president of programming & acquisitions; and moderator Bonnie Bernstein.

The second panel, "Changing the Coverage of Women's Sports," featured: Bonnie Bernstein '92, veteran sports journalist, founder and CEO of Walk Swiftly Productions and a member of Merrill College's Board of Visitors; Mirin Fader, The Ringer senior staff writer and New York Times bestselling author; Melissa Ludtke, author of "Locker Room Talk: A Woman's Struggle to Get Inside"; Ava Wallace, The Washington Post women's sports and tennis reporter and The Sports Moment newsletter writer; Pam Ward '84, ESPN play-by-play commentator for women's college basketball, college softball and the WNBA; and moderator Christine Brennan.

Nov. 17, 2023: The Future of the NBA

The 18th Annual Povich Symposium, on Nov. 17, 2023, featured NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis, Sports Business Journal's John Ourand '89, The Athletic's David Aldridge, ESPN's Frank Isola '87, The Washington Post's Ava Wallace and Merrill College Professor of the Practice Kevin Blackistone.

Nov. 15, 2022: Heart of the Story: How Strong Relationships Elevate Sports Reporting

Featuring: Christine Brennan, an award-winning national sports columnist for USA Today, and Katie Ledecky, a 10-time Olympic medalist swimmer, 19-time world championship gold medalist and the most decorated woman in world championships history. Ledecky will serve as a panelist remotely. Mike Preston, a longtime sports columnist for The Baltimore Sun, and Torrey Smith, a two-time Super Bowl-winning wide receiver and former Terrapins football standout. Ken Rosenthal, an on-field reporter on Fox Sports during playoff games and the World Series and senior baseball writer for The Athletic, and Mike Bordick, a former All-Star shortstop who played 14 seasons in the major leagues, including 1997-2002 with the Baltimore Orioles. Moderated by John Ourand '89, a media reporter for Sports Business Journal and co-host of “The Sports Media Podcast.”

Nov. 16, 2021: Free Agency Now & Then (Virtual due to COVID-19)

"Then" panel featuring: David Cone (Former MLB pitcher), Curt Flood Jr. (Curt Flood’s son), Tim McCarver (MLB broadcaster), Claire Smith (Hall of Fame MLB journalist) and Brad Snyder (Georgetown University professor of law and author). Moderated by Merrill College Professor of the Practice Kevin Blackistone.

"Now" panel featuring Blackistone, Scott Boras (leading sports agent), Christina Kahrl (San Francisco Chronicle sports editor), Tim Kurkjian ’78 (ESPN baseball analyst) and Jon Miller (San Francisco Giants broadcaster). Moderated by Ken Rosenthal (Fox Sports reporter and The Athletic senior baseball writer).

Nov. 17, 2020: Diversity in the Owner's Box (Virtual due to COVID-19)

Featuring: Len Elmore (former UMD and NBA basketball player), Kevin Blackistone (Merrill College, Doug Glanville (former MLB player), Kim Pegula (Buffalo Bills & Sabres). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 12, 2019: Big Stories that Changed the Game

Featuring: Marisa Kwiatkowski (USA Today), Sacha Pfeiffer (NPR), Mark Fainaru-Wada (ESPN), Joe Drape (New York Times), Bob Ley (ESPN), David Aldridge (The Athletic). Moderated by Emilio Garcia-Ruiz.

Nov. 13, 2018: Race in Sports: The Challenge Continues

Featuring: DeMaurice Smith (NFLPA), Chelsea Janes (The Washington Post), Kevin Merida (The Undefeated), Tom McMillen (Division 1A Athletic Directors Association), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 8, 2017: Changing Winds in Sports

Featuring: Bob Costas (NBC Sports), Christine Brennan (USA Today), Michael Wilbon (ESPN), Tony Kornheiser (Tony Kornheiser Show/ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 16, 2016: The Future of Sports in TV

Featuring: John Skipper (ESPN), Jimmy Roberts ’79 (NBC Sports), Andrea Kremer (NFL Network) Jim Delany (Big Ten), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN), David Aldridge (Turner Sports). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 10, 2015: Sportswriting Then & Now: With a Look at the Past & Future

Featuring: Chelsea Janes (Washington Post), Christine Brennan (USA Today), Sally Jenkins (Washington Post), Tony Kornheiser (ESPN), Michael Wilbon (ESPN), Jeremy Schaap (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

More Symposiums:

Nov. 11, 2014: Racism in Sports: How Far Have We Really Come?
Featuring: Kevin Blackistone (Merrill College/Washington Post/ESPN), Kara Lawson (WNBA), Damion Thomas (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture) Scott Van Pelt (ESPN), Michael Wilbon (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 5, 2013: Maryland to the Big Ten: Charting the Future; Remembering the Past
Featuring: Jim Delany (Big Ten Conference), Kevin Anderson (UMD Athletics), Bonnie Bernstein (Campus Insiders), Tom McMillen (Timios National Corporation), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 13, 2012: Our Sports: A Look at the Area Sports Scene
Featuring: Gary Williams ’68 (Maryland men’s basketball), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN), Randy Boe (Monumental Sports and Entertainment), Kevin Byrne (Baltimore Ravens), Mark Ein (Washington Kastles), Lara Potter (Washington Nationals), Jill Sorenson (Comcast SportsNet), Tony Wyllie (Washington Redskins). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 2, 2011: Washington Redskins 50 Year Anniversary of Breaking the Color Barrier
Kevin Anderson (UMD Athletics), Darryl Hill ’65 (the first African American to play for the University of Maryland football team), Bobby Mitchell (the first African-American to play for the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame), Theresa Moore (filmmaker), Paul Tagliabue (retired NFL commissioner), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN), Michael Wilbon (ABC/ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 17, 2010: The Changing Landscape of Sports: How Much is too Much?
Featuring: Christine Brennan (USA Today), Daniel M. Snyder (Washington Redskins), Kevin Blackistone (Merrill College/ESPN) Scott Van Pelt (ESPN), Tony Kornheiser (ESPN-980). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 11, 2009: Intercollegiate Athletics: Pro/Con: The Joys and Challenges of College Sports
Featuring: William E. Kirwan (University System of Maryland), Deborah A. Yow (UMD Athletics), Gary Williams (University of Maryland men’s basketball), Michael Wilbon (ESPN), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 12, 2008: Sports, Race and the Media
Featuring: Michael Wilbon (ESPN), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN), Gary Williams ’68 (Maryland men’s basketball), Len Elmore ’78 (Sportscaster, former Terrapin and NBA basketball player), Sage Steele (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 8, 2007: The State of Sports Journalism Today
Featuring: Maury Povich (TV host), Ben Bradlee (formerly The Washington Post), Sally Jenkins (Washington Post), Michael Wilbon (Washington Post). Moderated by Maury Povich.

Nov. 9, 2006: Out of Bounds: When Athletes Make Front-Page News
Featuring: Tim Kurkjian ’78 (ESPN), Jon Pessah ’74 (ESPN The Magazine), Jimmy Roberts ’79 (NBC Sports), David Steele ’85 (formerly The Baltimore Sun), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN). Moderated by Maury Povich.