Terps Host Maryland Basketball Tradition Invite
5/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland basketball program hosted the Maryland Basketball Tradition Invitational, benefiting the Marv Perry Scholarship Fund on Tuesday at the University of Maryland Golf Course.
Seventy-five Maryland supporters played golf on a spectacular afternoon and raised nearly $50,000 to benefit a scholarship endowed by the late Marv Perry.
Perry was an outstanding supporter of the University of Maryland and in 2005 received the alumni association's Tyser Gottwals Award for his service to the university. He was president of the Fastbreakers and Terrapin Club and was honored by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity for his years of commitment and dedication.
Hall of Fame head coach Gary Williams was among the many supporters who participated in today's invitational. “Marv played a big part in our success,” Williams said. He was very loyal, very positive and always wanted what was best for our basketball program.”
Williams also shared that no matter if his team won or loss – the first voicemail on his phone in the morning would be from Perry. “He always called me no matter what. Marv always had a positive outlook and he always kept me positive.”
Longtime Maryland supporter John Rymer, who has been involved with the fundraiser the past eight years, shared his appreciation for what Perry meant to Maryland Basketball.
“He was a super guy, Rymer said smiling. “ We loved him. What a great way to honor Marv with a fully-endowed scholarship.”
One of the driving forces behind this successful event is longtime Terp supporter Barry DesRoches.
“We all wanted to be like Marv,” DesRoches said. “He was loyal, engaged, connected and a wonderful role model. Marv had a positive attitude and was the glue guy – keeping us all together,”
Chris Knoche, who has spent the past 16 years as the radio analyst for the Terps, also served as the emcee and auctioneer for Tuesday evenings charitable dinner.
“Marv was not just a great benefactor to the basketball program but he was wonderful guy,” Knoche said. “Anything that showcases his name and legacy is an absolute honor to be involved in.”
The Friends of Gary Marvin J. Perry Memorial Scholarship was established in June 2008 by members of the Friends of Gary (FOG). Spendable Income from the Friends of Gary Marvin J. Perry Memorial Scholarship provides an annual scholarship for a student athlete on the men's intercollegiate basketball team. Last year, senior forward Jon Graham was the recipient of the scholarship.
