By Josh Schmidt 

Media Relations Assistant

It's a beautiful Saturday morning in late April and the weather is about as perfect as Colin Potts could have asked for. Potts is surrounded by friends, family, and members of the University of Maryland Athletic Department as he prepares for the Amputee Awareness 5K at Wootton High School in Rockville. It is the first 5K race for Potts since getting part of his left leg amputated last year.

Last year at the event, where it was pouring rain, Potts walked for half the race. This year, he ran in the sunshine alongside his trainer, Max Stoycos, and his wife, Ann. 

“Last year when I walked it was the most inspiring day and an all-around great day of celebration,” Potts said. “As I walked in the rain last year I knew in my head I could do more. I never forgot that I knew I'd be okay.”

Potts, who has past served as Terrapin Club President, lost his left leg below the knee after undergoing over 20 agonizing ankle surgeries following a fall down his stairs. Due to a unique foot structure, the broken ankle Potts suffered was difficult to repair.

Potts, an accomplished chef, dealt with the pain and even went to work in the kitchen the following day after the injury. When he eventually went to get help, the doctors were astonished he had continued to walk on the foot.

Potts underwent constant surgeries and each did more damage to his tendons and nerve endings. Eventually the decision was made to amputate the foot and move on with an expensive prosthetic that he called, “an investment into my future.”

“I loved playing sports growing up, but I wasn't able to enjoy any of that with all the pain in my leg,” Potts said.

The perennial season ticket holder grew up a Maryland fan, and fondly remembers coming to games with his father and seven siblings. His connection with the student-athletes was strengthened during his time with the Terrapin Club, but the bond was solidified when Potts began speaking with various teams about his own surgery and the adversity he's faced.

“The biggest thing is adversity and how we handle it,” Potts said. “In life we have to keep our eyes open and avoid focusing on one problem. I call it avoiding the negativity vortex.”

Potts' time at Maryland, as a fan, supporter, Terrapin Club president and motivator have ingrained him within the athletic department where he has close connections with many of the coaches, support staff members, and student-athletes. That's why it was important for Executive Athletics Director Damon Evans and other members of the department to come support Potts at the race. Potts even got in some friendly trash talk with Evans before the race officially began.

“Colin has really become part of the Maryland family ever since I've known him,” Evans said. “Colin cares so much about this university, this department and our student-athletes so the least I could do is come run with him.”

So while the experience of losing most of his leg was difficult, Potts has done his best to find meaning and positivity in the amputation. Potts is endlessly positive and views each day as an opportunity to improve and change the world, he said.

Part of that mission is now to qualify for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Potts has wholeheartedly dedicated himself to training six days a week for a variety of events. While running is the most obvious after this race, Potts also recently purchased a powerlifting prosthetic that would allow him to compete in lifting competitions.

When his friends talk about this at the charity race, they can only shake their heads in awe of Potts' resilience and motivation. The friend they grew up with in the Maryland suburbs has faced countless personal barriers, yet they say he is even more driven and motivated in life than ever before.

“My life has changed with this surgery,” Potts said. “I didn't know what the journey would be when this began, and I don't know the ending, but I do my best to stay positive and help others do that as well.”