DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the now-dissolved NFL Players Association, has been chosen by a committee of graduating seniors to deliver this year’s spring commencement address.
The senior council, a committee of about 20 students tasked with choosing the speaker, announced yesterday it had chosen Smith to speak at the May 19 ceremony. Council members said Smith was the top contender and was chosen for a variety of reasons, most notably his current involvement in the National Football League’s labor negotiations. Smith is at the center of a billion-dollar labor dispute between players and owners that resulted in the NFLPA strategically disbanding last Friday after the two sides could not come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement.
“He is the only executive director of the NFL Players Association to have never played professional football,” said Brian Toll, a senior accounting and finance major and the senior council’s commencement speaker chairman. “I think that shows the type of person and leader he is and the amount of support he’s generated.”
Toll said Smith’s life story and highly accomplished career will make him an inspirational speaker at this year’s commencement.
“He came from humble beginnings to get to where he is today, which speaks to the personality he possesses and the story he can tell,” Toll said. “Just because of the position he holds and the way he articulates himself, we think he is absolutely relatable.”
Smith was formerly an attorney in the private and public sectors, working as a trial lawyer and litigation partner at the Washington law firm Patton Boggs and as counsel to then-Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder. He graduated from Cedarville University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and from the University of Virginia School of Law. He has taught classes on trial advocacy at area schools, including the University of Virginia, George Washington University and American University and currently lives in Bethesda with his wife and two children.
Last year’s speaker was Vicki Kennedy, the wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and the first female speaker since 2005. Although last year some students said having a political figure speak could be controversial, this year, several seemed happy about Smith’s announcement — especially those with an interest in sports.
“I think him coming to speak is good because a lot of college students are into sports, so he’s probably relevant,” said senior marketing major Sam Moore. “He’s a smart guy, but I don’t know what he’s going talk about.”
Doron Tamari, a senior marketing major, said he was excited to have a speaker involved in an issue of nationwide importance.
“I’m excited it’s someone who’s out in the public eye right now, someone people are interested in hearing from,” Tamari said. “He’s an interesting person, and he has done some important things. I think it’ll be a good speech.”
But some students said Smith will only be relevant while the labor dispute surges on and that his speech won’t have the lasting impression they want in a commencement address.
“I’m pretty disappointed. As soon as the negotiations are over we won’t hear about him again probably for another three years,” said senior finance major Jesse Cantor. “With our proximity to Washington, we have ties to so many places and politicians; any real athlete or someone who has a more lasting relevance would have been better.”
Toll would not disclose which other figures the council considered and said Smith was the best choice.
“He’s a very accomplished lawyer and attorney, and the guy is just an incredible person, leader and speaker,” Toll said. “His message is so topical, and he’s an exemplary leader.”
farrell at umdbk dot com
