Terps Honor Lederer with New Managers' Locker Room
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- University of Maryland director of athletics Kevin Anderson, men's basketball head coach Mark Turgeon and the men's basketball team dedicated the new men's basketball managers' locker room in memory of Zach Lederer in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday evening at XFINITY Center.
The former men's basketball manager, Lederer passed away in March at the age of 20 after a heroic battle with brain cancer.
Zach's parents, John and Christine Lederer, along with his sister, Julia, and his grandmother, Sally Lederer, joined the Maryland Basketball family to celebrate Zach's life and the lasting impact he made on the team and the university community.
“Zach had a special zest for life,” Turgeon said. “He took on life as a champion. Zach made an immediate impact on all of our lives and countless others. He will always be a part of us and our Maryland Basketball family.”
As a tribute to Lederer's memory, Evan Lipinski, a former Terps' basketball manager, painted a mural of a silhouette flexing its muscles, with the phrase “Zaching” and #Livingthedream.
Presented with a framed photo of the mural from Turgeon and Anderson, the Lederers expressed their sincere appreciation for the new locker room area bearing their son's name.
“We are so appreciative that Zachary and all the managers will have this room to call their own,” John Lederer shared. “Zach always wanted to attend Maryland. He wanted to be part of the basketball program and he felt this was the icing on the cake to become a team manager. This is a tremendous tribute to him.”
Prior to entering the locker room, the same silver silhouette design was placed on sign with the wording: Zach Lederer Maryland Basketball Managers' Locker Room.
The team and family shared smiles and tears of joy as the Lederers made their way into the locker room for the very first time.
“Zach's spirit will be in this locker room and every manager and member of our program will hear his story,” Anderson said. We will continue to keep his spirit alive and always share how much he meant to all of us.”
For more information on the Zach Lederer Foundation, click here.
