July 14, 2003

KENSINGTON, Md. - Longtime "Voice of the Terrapins" Johnny Holliday is in good spirits as he recovers his strength from surgery two weeks ago at his home in Kensington, Md. The Terps' radio play-by-play announcer was released from Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Md., on Tuesday of this week.

Holliday has been under the treatment of medical staff at Washington Adventist for the past two weeks after experiencing internal bleeding following a routine hernia operation on June 26. After two days recovering at home, on June 28 the complications became evident and he was admitted into the hospital's intensive care unit for a period of eight days. Medical teams worked to bring him into stable condition and monitored his progress, and he was moved into his current single room at the hospital on July 5.

"I cannot say enough good things about the doctors and nurses here -- they have been unbelievable," said Holliday. "They brought me from critical condition to the point now where I'm getting back to normal. The medical staff has been wonderful, and the letters, cards and flowers have been overwhelming."

Holliday has been surrounded by friends and family since his surgery. His wife, Mary Claire, daughters Kellie, Tracie and Moira and six grandsons have been by his side and have been charged with the task of receiving the many letters, cards, photos, plants and floral arrangements from well-wishers and adjusting the "Voice of the Terps'" busy summer schedule.

"Each day I've been getting better," said Holliday. "The biggest thing right now is getting my strength back."

Holliday's travels in the past months have taken him from the Washington, D.C., area to Sarasota, Fla., Cleveland, Ohio, Williamsburg, Va. and back again as he hosted numerous charity events, autographed copies of his book "From Rock to Jock," and displayed his skills on area golf courses.

Washington, D.C.'s most versatile broadcaster, Holliday has covered not only Maryland athletics events, but five Olympics, championship boxing and the Masters. He is involved in numerous charitable organizations and has been named Washingtonian Magazine's "Washingtonian of the Year," a Maryland M Club Distinguished Citizen, and was a recipient of the Maryland basketball service award.

Holliday, who begins his 25th season broadcasting Maryland football and basketball this fall, hopes to return to his duties as an anchor on the ABC Sports Radio Network as early as next week.