Jan. 28, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's basketball team utilized its time off from classes during winter break to continue its ongoing community service efforts through volunteer work along with an educational trip to a local business close to the Terrapin family.
On the brink of 2009, the team visited with patients at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The girls spent time with the children on New Year's Eve, talking with them and signing autographs in effort to lift their spirits.
"Being able to spend time with the patients at the Children's National Medical Center, especially on New Year's Eve, was really special," Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese said. "It was such a great feeling to be able to put a smile on their faces.
"It also really made our players realize how fortunate they are and what a positive impact they can have on others."
The women's basketball program looks forward to creating a long-term relationship with the Children's National Medical Center and hopes to participate in an atrium event there next season.
Shortly after the trip to the children's hospital, the Maryland women paid a visit to the Riderwood Retirement Community in Silver Spring, Md., on Jan. 5. The Terps put on a talent show for the residents, spent time interacting with them and learned about volunteer opportunities at the facility. Team members personally invited the residents to a UM game and approximately 50 of them attended the Jan. 18 victory over Virginia Tech.
"Riderwood was a completely new and fun experience for our team," Frese said. "It allowed us to connect with our neighborhood retirement community. We were so excited to have them attend the Virginia Tech game. Being able to support each other is such a great feeling. We definitely have a fantastic fan base at Riderwood and our players plan to volunteer and continue to build relationships with the residents there."
A few of the residents were featured on recent episodes of "Under the Shell," the team's reality television program, during the visit and subsequent trip to the Comcast Center for the ACC win over the Hokies. Riderwood is interested in attending more games and several players are looking forward to returning to the facility to continue building relationships and to volunteer.
The Terps also had an opportunity to learn more about the University of Maryland's official athletic outfitter, Under Armour. The team toured the Under Armour headquarters, located in Baltimore, on Jan. 9 and learned about the company's operations and its internship program called ROOKIE. Sophomore guard Marah Strickland, a Mount Airy, Md., native, has applied for the internship.
"The Under Armour tour was really awesome," Frese said. "Up until this visit, we could only see the end product - the gear we wear. Taking a tour of the headquarters and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the design process, development and marketing was really fantastic. We feel very special and honored to have Under Armour as our exclusive apparel outfitter."
The Terps also got the chance to work with the Special Olympics. Several Special Olympics athletes visited the Comcast Center on Jan. 21, where they engaged in numerous basketball drills at stations throughout the floor followed by five-on-five games at the 17,950-seat venue.
"The Special Olympics came to Comcast last year and it was such a hit," Frese said. "We were so happy to hear that they wanted to come back again this year. Our players are fantastic with the kids, teaching them basketball skills and just really having a great time on the court with them."
The Maryland players signed autographs for the Special Olympics athletes and are hoping to see them attend an upcoming Terrapin game.
"Involving our student-athletes in community activities is a great way to teach valuable life lessons off the court," Frese said. "We like to take advantage of our long winter break and find that it's a great time of year for us to connect with our community because the players' academic schedules aren't as rigorous."
The Terrapins and the rest of the student community at Maryland resumed classes on Monday, the morning after the team's 77-71 win over second-ranked North Carolina. The Terps resume ACC play this weekend with road tilts at Virginia and Florida State.
