An Evening with Jim E. Smith

We are pleased to announce the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation’s upcoming event – An Evening with UMD Athletic Director Jim Smith and the voice of the Maryland Terrapins, Johnny Holliday. The evening will consist of classic cocktails, great food, silent and live auctions, and intimate conversations about our sports heritage. Event Schedule 6:00PM-6:30PM – VIP Reception 6:30PM-7:30PM – Meet and Greet, Silent Auction 7:30PM-8:30PM – Jim Smith in conversation with Johnny Holliday 8:30PM-9:00PM – Live Auction Tickets VIP: $200 Regular: $150 About our VIPs Jim E. Smith James “Jim” E. Smith was named Maryland’s Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics on May 15, 2025, arriving from the Atlanta Braves. With 30+ years in university and pro sports, he will lead Maryland’s intercollegiate athletics program, supporting 550 student-athletes with a staff of more than 250. Previously, he helped drive Braves revenue growth and served as a key All-Star Game point person, led the Ohio State Alumni Association with a $17 million budget, and held senior roles at AMB Sports & Entertainment overseeing revenue and marketing for major franchises, including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium project and the launch of Atlanta United. Johnny Holliday Johnny Holliday is one of the region’s most versatile broadcasters and, for 45 years, the play-by-play voice of the University of Maryland—covering more than 1,600 Terps football and basketball games, including 16 bowl games, 12 Sweet Sixteens, two Final Fours, and Maryland’s 2002 national championship over Indiana. He also worked play-by-play for George Washington University, Navy, ACC women’s basketball, the Orioles, Nationals, and National Gymnastics on TV and radio, and Dick Vitale named him one of his Top 15 play-by-play voices. This event supports the mission of the Babe Ruth Birthplace Founation, Inc. Since 1974, the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum has preserved the historic legacy of Babe Ruth. In 1983, the Birthplace became the official museum of the Baltimore Orioles; in 1985 the Museum was designated as the official archives of the Baltimore Colts. Since then, the mission has expanded to include the Baltimore Ravens, University of Maryland Terrapins, as well as local and regional sports at the amateur, collegiate and professional levels.