Nov. 20, 2006

On the eve of Maryland football's final regular-season home game, former Terrapin football player Shawne Merriman will be at the Comcast Center on Friday, November 24, during the men's basketball game against High Point, as part of his Fourth Annual Coat Drive.

Terrapin student-athletes and Merriman, who initiated the coat drive in 2004, will be accepting donated items of gently-used coats, hats, scarves and other warm clothing at the Comcast Center at noon (doors open then for the 1:30 p.m. game) and will keep collecting items until halftime.

The coat drive benefits the Community for Creative Non-Violence Shelter in Washington, D.C., and the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Md. The drive was the brainchild of Merriman, a defensive player for the Terps in 2002-05 from Upper Marlboro, Md. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year last season as a member of the San Diego Chargers. For fans unable to attend the game, coats will be also accepted in the Academic Support and Career Development Unit in the Gossett Football Team House adjacent to Byrd Stadium on Monday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. - Noon.

Autograph Information

Merriman will be on hand on the second-floor concourse to sign autographs prior to the men's basketball game on Friday, Nov. 24. He will be available for autographs from 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. only, and asks that fans interested wait until that time while he helps with the drive.