Oct. 27, 2008
By Jahira Chambers, Athletics Media Relations Staff
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A self-proclaimed `military brat' whose first language was Portuguese, Dane Randolph never would have thought he would list football as one of his passions. A 2008 University of Maryland graduate who is now pursuing a master's certificate in public health informatics, the 300-pound offensive lineman is among a deep senior class leading the Terrapins this season.
Randolph has served as a leader in and out of the classroom, encouraging his teammates to strive for excellence, especially in the weight room. His determination is reflected through his earning of `Iron Terp' status for his dedicated offseason workouts the past four years, including boasting the fourth-highest strength index on the team during the most recent testing.
While Randolph's performances and contributions to the Terrapin football program cannot be overlooked, he attributes his mother, Angela Randolph, for his success on the gridiron and beyond.
"My motivation was always to be better than my mom, which I never did," Randolph said. "That was always my motivation in sports and everything, because she was a great basketball player."
Raised by a single mother enlisted in the United States Navy, Randolph inherited much of his motivation and independence from being with his mother in foreign lands without familiar faces or relatives. He and his mother lived in various places ranging from Portugal to West Virginia. It was not until a stint in Jacksonville, Fla., that he realized his talent and interest in football.
"Really, I didn't even think about football until my eighth grade year in Jacksonville," Randolph said, "Before then, when I lived in West Virginia, my friends' fathers would always say I would be a great football player and I would always say `whatever, I don't even know what football is,' and at the time I really didn't."
As a freshman at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Randolph was placed on the varsity football team. While he did not see much playing time, that learning experience prepared him for the start of his career at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Md., the following year.
There, Randolph's high school coach, Doug DuVal, nurtured the potential and talent that resulted in him ultimately being recruited by Maryland, Penn State and Virginia, among others. DuVal, who continues to serve as a mentor for Randolph to this day, is credited with introducing his prep standout to coach Ralph Friedgen and the Terrapin football program.
Along with committing to Maryland as a student-athlete, Randolph promised himself he would graduate within four years in order to leave his fifth year of eligibility open to decide what he wanted to do with his life. In doing so, he would become the first male in his family to graduate with a bachelor's degree.
Following his redshirt season in 2004, Randolph moved from defensive lineman to the offensive side of the ball, and has since earned a role as a leader on the team.
"Dane is kind of quiet, and he's got his own sense of humor and sees thing in a different light," offensive line coach Tom Brattan said. "[He is] always ready to play on game day and takes a lot of pride in his performance."
In addition to his exhibited determination academically, in the weight room, and on the field, the burlesque lineman also is known for his friendship with fellow fifth-year offensive lineman Edwin Williams.
"What can I say about Dane? He goes against the grain and steps out of the box," said Williams of his teammate.
The pair of seniors, who claim to have not gotten along during their freshman year, share a bond that is reminiscent of the `Odd Couple.' Along with playing on the field together, they attend bible study together through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and are dedicated to community service through the Terrapin Enrichment Reading Program.
In his spare time, Randolph, who is affectionately referred to by his teammates as `The Wizard' because of his abundant facial hair, enjoys collecting technological gadgets and listening to all genres of music.
As a junior last season, Randolph balanced starting all 13 games at right tackle with graduating with a degree in criminology and criminal justice. He accomplished his goal of graduating in four years and is now committed to helping his team reach new heights this season. As he pursues a master's certificate, Randolph is contemplating a future that may include following his other passion by seeking to establish a technology-oriented career.
Until that time approaches, though, Randolph is dedicated to continuing to lead by example during the remainder of his final season with the Terps.
"Being at top of the charts in the power clean, squats and bench press means that you really do work hard," Randolph said. "And you have to show that you work hard in order for everyone else to work hard."
