COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland Head Football Coach Michael Locksley will serve as Honorary Chairman for the 2019 Best Buddies Friendship Walk, which is set to take place on Saturday, May 4 at the XFINITY Center.

"I'm incredibly excited to be supporting the outstanding work of Best Buddies Maryland by serving as Honorary Chairman for this year's Friendship Walk," said Locksley "The support the organization provides for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is incredible and I'm thrilled to be a small part of this exciting day. I can't wait to welcome everyone to campus on a day that brings people together from across our great state in support of such a great cause.

The annual event benefits Best Buddies Maryland, a nonprofit that creates one-to-one friendships, leadership opportunities, integrated employment and inclusive living for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk consists of a two-mile walk around the College Park campus beginning at 10 a.m. Following the walk, there will be food and the annual Friendship Games inside the XFINITY Center Pavilion. Coach Locksley and members of the Terrapin football team will be on hand to volunteer, take pictures and greet participants during the walk.

"I can't thank Coach Locksley enough for agreeing to chair our event," said Vince Fiduccia, Best Buddies State Director. "We have a special bond with Maryland Football and are grateful to have them as part of Best Buddies."

The Best Buddies Maryland Friendship Walk has raised nearly 1.7 million dollars in the last 11 years and seen more than 7,000 walkers take part. The organization is striving to raise $315,000 this year from this event; and has already raised more than $242,000. All participants who raise more than $50 will receive an official commemorative event t-shirt.

Walkers can register by clicking here.

About Best Buddies: Best Buddies Maryland is a nonprofit whose mission it is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Maryland, Best Buddies serves 5,200 citizens with and without disabilities and impacts 52,000 citizens through eight signature programs. Best Buddies is in 115 colleges, middle and high schools throughout Maryland. Best Buddies Maryland began supported employment programs in 2015 and has placement throughout central Maryland that will put people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work.