Kevin Plank

If you walk into Van Munching Hall you’ll be greeted with an exhibit that celebrates Smith alums who have achieved extraordinary success in their careers.

One such alum is Kevin Plank ’96, famed founder of Under Armour. He is a proud Terp and has made extraordinary investments in the University of Maryland. His generous leadership gift for the university’s Jones-Hill House football performance center demonstrates his commitment to both Maryland and social justice. He is a member of the University of Maryland Board of Trustees, has been involved with the Smith School supporting entrepreneurship through the Cupid’s Cup Business Competition, and has served as a commencement speaker. He is also deeply committed to the city of Baltimore, his many philanthropic initiatives and the numerous boards on which he serves.

Maryland Smith is proud to celebrate him with this profile in the Celebrating Alumni Success exhibit.

Kevin Plank knows what it means to be a game-changer. He transformed the world of sports apparel when he launched Under Armour in 1996. (Read more about the founding of Under Armour).

He built on the company’s successes, expanding it into one of the world’s leading innovators, marketers and distributors of branded performance apparel, footwear and accessories.

Plank served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board from 1996 to 2019. He was elevated to Under Armour’s executive chairman and brand chief in January 2020.

In 2012, Plank launched an investment company, Sagamore Ventures, to revitalize areas of Baltimore City with holdings in commercial real estate, hospitality, food and beverage, and venture capital. The company has a major equity stake in the Port Covington redevelopment in South Baltimore, a sprawling mixed-use project with offices, homes, retail spaces, parks and boat launches. The company’s investment holdings also include Plank’s whisky distillery, Sagamore Spirit.