Abdur-Ra'oof Returns to Lead 'M' Club
8/12/2008 8:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
Aug. 12, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'oof has been hired by the University of Maryland as the executive director of the `M' Club, director of athletics Deborah A. Yow and `M' Club president Dan McGuire announced Tuesday.
Abdur-Ra'oof was a popular football player for the Terrapins, playing wide receiver for the university between 1984 and 1987. He also played for two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League.
The `M' Club Foundation at the University of Maryland, one of the oldest letterwinner clubs in the country, was founded in 1923. It has a proud tradition of "Athletes Helping Athletes". The `M' Club provides former Terrapin athletic letterwinners the opportunity to continue to be involved in Maryland athletics once their eligibility has expired.
"I am very excited to be returning to my alma mater, and I look forward to continuing the great tradition of excellence at the university, the athletics department, and the M Club," said Abdur-Ra'oof. "As a former student-athlete, I always wanted the opportunity to return to the University of Maryland, and to get to do it in the athletics department with Dr. Yow, her staff, and the M Club leadership is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to a bright future."
Abdur-Ra'oof replaces retiring Dave Diehl, a former Terp swimmer who held the position for more than 12 years, He will be responsible for the daily operation of the club, which now numbers more than 1,500 active members. The `M' Club also sponsors the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame and the year-ending President's Cup Brunch which honors student-athletes for academic achievement and community involvement.
"Ziz brings passion, energy and fresh ideas to his new role as Associate AD/Executive Director of the `M' Club," said Yow. "Dave Diehl's efforts were much appreciated, and Ziz will build on those positive outcomes to make the M Club and the athletics program even better, with the full support of the M Club board and the senior management team in athletics."
Following his time in the NFL, Abdur-Ra'oof returned for five years to campus, serving in various roles. He served as the membership director of the University of Maryland Alumni Association, as a marketing coordinator for the University College and as a color analyst on football broadcasts with Jefferson Pilot Sports.
Abdur-Ra'oof earned four varsity letters as a Maryland football player. His 1,895 career receiving yards and 108 receptions rank third and sixth, respectively, all-time for the Terps. He finished his collegiate career with a yard-per-catch average of 17.6, good for sixth in school history, and his 10 receiving touchdowns are tied for seventh all-time at Maryland.
One of the most highly regarded local recruits ever to stay home and play football at Maryland, Abdur-Ra'oof has been inducted into the Northeast High School and the Anne Arundel County athletic halls of fame. He was named by the Baltimore Sun as the Prep Athlete of the Year as a senior and was the Evening Capital Prep Male Athlete of the Decade. After being drafted by the Chiefs, he played two years in Kansas City.
