COLLEGE PARK, Md. – As a lifetime Maryland fan and longtime Terrapin athletics supporter, Carole Harris has supported everything from scholarships for student-athletes to the building of the homes of the school's athletic teams.
Harris' generosity has been shared with many capital projects, such as the construction of the XFINITY Center and the Basketball Performance Center, and the renovation of the women's basketball locker room and the Gossett Football Team House.
This year, Harris gave the women's basketball team the most generous gift in program history. Harris made a planned gift commitment of $1.4 million to establish the Carole C. Harris Head Women's Basketball Coach Endowment and the Carole C. Harris Endowed Scholarship for Women's Basketball. With this commitment, her lifetime financial support of Maryland Athletics is nearly $2.5 million.
“The women's basketball program is exemplary,” Harris said. “They're not only so good on the court, but they are scholar athletes as well. I have such respect for the program Brenda leads. She's the lynchpin and her great recruiting, terrific coaching and wonderful staff make it great year after year.”
“Carole's generosity blows me away," head coach Brenda Frese said. “We are extremely grateful. She is one of the most impressive and intelligent people I've ever met. I admire what she's achieved in life. To have her think this highly of our program is one of the biggest compliments we could ever receive. We treasure her friendship and will take great care of her name on this gift."
Harris grew up in the D.C.-area and attended countless Maryland sporting events and other events on campus with her dad. She went on to graduate from Maryland with a degree in philosophy.
After graduation, Harris went to law school at Catholic University and worked in private practice in Washington D.C. until 2002.
“I love sports and I love Maryland,” Harris said. “I wanted to give to a charity that spoke to me. I have wonderful memories from going to games with my dad and friends.”
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