How did you first get involved with the Terrapin Club?
Tom: Michelle and I graduated in 1980 and joined the Terrapin Club a few years later. Initially it was to get priority for seats at football games, but over time we grew to appreciate the need to support the athletic program overall.
What motivates you to give so generously?
Tom: We give to support the student athletes at the university of Maryland. Particularly those students participating in the non-revenue sports, as those are great opportunities to experience achievement, teamwork and leadership.
Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Maryland Athletics?
Tom: My mount Rushmore of Maryland athletes would be Boomer Esiason, Renaldo Nehemiah, Len Bias and Juan Dixon.
What is your favorite Maryland Athletics memory?
Tom: My favorite Maryland Athletics memory is being in Atlanta for the basketball national championship in 2002. Particularly memorable what is the gathering of the players, students, alumni, and fans at the hotel after the game. The celebration went into the wee hours. Another special memory for me was many years of road tripping to the ACC Tournament with friends for four days of great basketball. It didn't get any better than that.
What do you hope to see Maryland Athletics achieve this year?
Tom: My hope for Maryland athletics this year is much more modest than both years given the extraordinary circumstances. But the hope is that student athletes across the board will get the opportunity to compete in the sports they love in a safe manner.
Do you have an anecdote about Maryland Athletics or the Terrapin Club that you would share?
Tom: We moved to Minnesota 22 years ago, but I have retained my basketball tickets every year since then. We find our way back to campus for a couple of games each season and the rest of the tickets I give to family and friends. I was happy to see the move to the Big Ten as we have been able to attend games in Minneapolis and Madison as well as see a lot of coverage on the Big Ten Network.
