COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Fastbreakers were joined by former Maryland head coaching legend Lefty Driesell to celebrate their 45th anniversary at the Crabcake Factory in Delaware Saturday night.
"I came up with the idea of the Fastbreakers to get our fans to come to the away games," said Driesell. "It was tough to win on the road at Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest. They really helped us and we had a lot of great wins in front of those fans on the road. They stayed at the same hotel and would form a line and greet the team before we got on the bus for the game. It was fun."
Former Fastbreakers presidents John Rymer, Greg DesRoches and Robert Byrd introduced Driesell. The function was filled with special stories and memories of the group's history with Maryland Basketball. Rymer, who spearheaded the event, shared the story of the Fastbreakers first scheduled bus trip in 1972 to Richmond, Va., with the opening of the new Robins Arena.
“This is an exciting and special evening,” Rymer said. “The great thing about being part of the Fastbreakers was that after each game, win or lose, Lefty would go from the front to the back of the bus to shake hands with each person and thank them for supporting the program. He'd even go out of his way to make sure we got group tickets behind the team's bench.”
Former Terps great Tom McMillen, a member of 2013 College Basketball Hall of Fame, and Bob Bodell, a four-year letterman who played under Driesell from 1970-73, attended the event.
The Crabcake Factory is owned by former Maryland player Ronnie Brooks (1951-54).
Driesell won 348 games at Maryland and the led the program to eight NCAA Tournament appearances. Driesell, who currently resides in Virginia Beach, Va., was a guest speaker, along with former player Len Elmore, at a Maryland “Legends Chat” prior to the Maryland/Purdue game at XFINITY Center this past February.
