Terps Host Big Ten Open at Congressional
6/10/2013 8:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
June 10, 2013
BETHESDA, Md. - A full field turned out to welcome the Big Ten Conference to Maryland with an exclusive fundraising golf event - The Big Ten Open at Congressional Country Club on Monday afternoon in Bethesda, Md.
The exclusive event, sponsored by Under Armour, was played at Congressional, home to three U.S. Open Championships (most recently in 2011) and Tiger Woods' annual AT&T National tournament, scheduled later this month.
Jim Delany, Big Ten commissioner, Diane Dietz, chief communication officer, Kevin Anderson, Maryland director of athletics, Randy Edsall, Maryland football coach, Mark Turgeon, Maryland men's basketball coach and Matt Painter, Purdue men's basketball participated in the an all-day celebration, which also included an exclusive dinner and in-depth panel discussion at the famed Congressional Club House.
The panel was hosted by Johnny Holliday, the Hall of Fame radio play-by-play announcer and the voice of Maryland football and men's basketball for 34 years. Delany fielded questions on whether the Big Ten men's basketball tournament might be scheduled at an East Coast venue in the future, when the men's basketball schedule will be released, among other topics.
"We were looking for a public flagship university, which would fit our profile both academically and athletically," said Delany. "Maryland is on the rise. It is a university that we targeted and we're happy that it worked out and are excited about our partnership."
Painter spoke about some of the great basketball venues in the league.
"There are so many outstanding venues," said Painter. "Indiana is the loudest arena. The Barn, in Minnesota, is a great home court advantage. Michigan State is big, but the fans are directly on top of you. Michigan also renovated their facility and that is a tough place to play. All the venues are exciting and challenging. It's always tough to win on the road in the Big Ten."
On Sunday evening, University of Maryland President Dr. Wallace D. Loh and Anderson hosted an exclusive dinner at Congressional, which included Delany, Dietz, Edsall, Turgeon, Painter and Penn State head football coach Bill O'Brien.
"We looked at the Big Ten Conference because we always talked about the importance of going global," said Anderson. "And with the conference's partnership with the The Big Ten Network -- we now have the opportunity to grow and strengthen our brand."
"We're excited about joining the Big Ten," said Edsall. "I played at Michigan in front of 113,000 people. I played at the Horseshoe (Ohio State) in that exciting atmosphere. I know our student-athletes are excited about the challenge. And when talking with our recruits, they are excited about the opportunity to play in this big stage and at these great venues."
All the proceeds will benefit the University of Maryland football and basketball programs, as well as the Terrapin Club Scholarship Fund.
