COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland Department of Athletics mourns the loss of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame member and long-time supporter Benjamin "Benny" Alperstein, who passed away at the age of 102 on Saturday, September 16.

Alperstein was a two-time NCAA Boxing Champion for the University of Maryland, winning the 1937 and 1938 NCAA Titles while being name Outstanding Boxer in '38. He was a two-time team captain for the Terrapins, and the Southern Conference's Outstanding Boxer in both 1937 and 1938. He was the first-ever national champion in any sport for the University of Maryland. 

He was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986, and was also enshrined in the State of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame and D.C. Boxing Hall of Fame. Alperstein was a member of the United States Air Force from 1941-46 attaining the rank of Major while serving in WWII.

Alperstein has served the athletic community extensively as Chairman of the District of Columbia's Boxing Commission, member of the State Athletic Commission, and U.S. representative to the North American Boxing Commission. The Media Relations Suite located in the XFINITY Center is dedicated in recognition of Benny and his brother Hotsy Alperstein.

The funeral service for Commissioner Alperstein will be held tomorrow afternoon (September 19, 2017) at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel at Judean Memorial Gardens at 16225 Batchellors Forest Road in Olney, Maryland (20832). Everyone is welcome to attend as we help to pay tribute to a great man, proud University of Maryland scholar athlete and loving husband to his devoted wife, Betty. 

-Terps-