February 21, 2020

Maryland Alumni Reflect on Impact of Black Athletes in the District

Maryland Alumni Reflect on Impact of Black Athletes in the District

Terps in DC in partnership with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, brought alumni together for Fearless Conversations: Celebrating the Impact of Black Athletes on the District.

The event, held Wednesday evening, Feb. 19, 2020, in recognition of Maryland Smith’s celebration of Black History Month, took place at Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C. It featured a co-moderated discussion led by Professor Kevin Blackistone of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and sports historian Justin Hudson, PhD ’17, as well as an audience-driven Q&A portion afterward.

The panel, comprised entirely of Maryland alumni, showcased Maryland Terrapin athlete turned pro-golfer George Bradford ’97, Maryland Hall of Famer Darryl Hill ’65, NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleader Candace Correll ’16, and Washington Post investigative reporter Robert Klemko ’10.

Bradford, a Maryland Smith alum, spoke about his experience as one of the few African-American members on the PGA Tour and the adversity that he faced as a result of the racial disparity.

“I don’t look the typical golfer, so people would laugh when I told them I was a professional golfer,” Bradford said during the event.

Other topics of discussion included the life and legacy of Maryland basketball star Len Bias, Darryl Hill’s stories regarding breaking the racial barrier for major varsity college sports in the South and how each of the panelists experienced forms of “culture shock” within their respective fields.

Photos by Seth Hoffman.

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About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

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