Interview conducted by Chioma Onyekwere.
Beau Fay loves history. As a student-athlete at Maryland, Fay majored in the subject and beyond his in class studies, was able to combine his enjoyment of research and sport into a fact finding mission about his favorite subject – Maryland track and field.
“I've always been into history,” Fay said. “When I pursue something I have to explore everything about it, from how it originated to the influences surrounding it. I gained a better appreciation of our track and field program from this.”
After diving into some of Maryland's finest teams and athletes, from the undefeated Terrapin squads in the 1950's, 60's and 70's to legends like Renaldo Nehemiah and Frank Costello, Fay made it is mission to fix all of Maryland's top-10 performance lists in order to clean up the history of the storied program.
“I felt like it was up to me to fix it,” Fay said. “I was the only history major on the team at the time so I started looking through the archives.”
Fay's love for history extends to the manner in which he now competes. The Falls Church, Va., native has taken his talents to the Highland Games – an event held to celebrate Scottish history. Fay competes in the throwing events, as he did in college.
“My love for history is what got me introduced to the Highland Games,” Fay said. “When I started throwing I researched how the shot put and hammer throw originated and learned it came from Scotland. I volunteered at a local Highland Games my sophomore year of high school before eventually competing in my first Highland Games in 2012.”
His success in the Highland Games should be expected after a decorated career at Maryland that saw him improve in each of his seasons in College Park. Fay looks back to his final indoor ACC Championships as his finest moment.
“That was the highlight of my career,” Fay said. “I came into that meet ranked fifth and I felt like I had something to prove. When I was warming up, I noticed my technique had never been so spot on. I knew I was in control after my first throw, and I tossed a lifetime best to place third and earn All-ACC honors. Most importantly, the team finished third. It was a breakthrough year for us.”
Before heading back to competition at the Highland Games, Fay went into coaching. He attributes much of his success in this realm to longtime Maryland throwing coach Roland Desonier, who took Fay from lightly recruited high school competitor to near the top of the ACC.
“A lot of throwers at Maryland wouldn't be where they are without the help of coach Rolo,” Fay said. “Everybody looks up to him because he has so much passion for the sport. I never thought I could be an all-conference athletes at the Division I level, but Rolo helped me improve and grow each year.”
Whether it's coaching or competing, Fay has found success in each stage of his career. For the history buff, it all comes down to knowing what you represent.
“I would encourage athletes to always keep learning about the athletes of yesterday. Take pride in the program, because you represent one that has a great deal of history.
