COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland Athletics prides itself on providing student-athletes with athletic, academic and social opportunities that build character and leadership skills. Community outreach has always been an integral part of student-athlete development. On Friday, Maryland Athletics announced an expansion of our student-athlete development program with new and enhanced partnerships with three service organizations.

Maryland will be expanding existing relationships with Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) and Team IMPACT and will be entering a new partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter at the University of Maryland.

"We are thrilled to join together with these community service partners," said Athletic Director Damon Evans. "The service learning, volunteering, and advocacy opportunities for our student-athletes and staff will not only help them grow as individuals, but will also allow Maryland Athletics to make a tangible and positive difference in our communities."

Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD)

The athletic department's relationship with Special Olympics Maryland dates back many years with multiple Terp teams, annually hosting SOMD athletes at practices and clinics. The enhanced partnership will continue to engage student-athletes on and off the field and will feature new fellowship, internship and athlete development opportunities for both SOMD athletes and Terrapin student-athletes. Evans recently joined the SOMD Board of Directors and athletes from both organizations will participate in special events, fundraising efforts and clinics.
  The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. While Special Olympic Maryland currently has 8,716 athletes across the state who train and compete year-round, University of Maryland Athletics looks forward to working with SOMD to attain their goal of having 20,000 active athletes by 2025.

Special Olympics Maryland President and CEO Jim Schmutz expressed his excitement for the partnership, "We look forward to expanding and enhancing our relationship with the athletic department at the University of Maryland. We are excited to welcome Damon Evans as a member of our Board, as he will increase awareness and attract resources that will contribute to our efforts to reach more athletes. Through sport, Damon will help us create a world where opportunity is not limited by disability."
 

Team IMPACT

For nearly a decade, Maryland Athletics has enjoyed a strong relationship with Team IMPACT, a national organization whose mission is to tackle the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team. Currently, seven Terrapin teams have 'signed' Team IMPACT teammates and Maryland will seek to grow this relationship by signing more courageous kids to our rosters.
  The enhanced partnership will include engagement opportunities with pediatric patients and families throughout the year, and an expanded Team IMPACT presence on campus. Maryland's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will also focus on building awareness within the University and Conference community about the life-changing benefits that Team IMPACT brings to both children and student-athletes.

Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 2,000 children with collegiate teams at over 700 institutions in 49 states, reaching over 60,000 student athletes—all of whom come together to ensure no child is sidelined by sickness.

"Team IMPACT is the only clinically-informed program that partners with college athletic teams to address the social isolation and emotional trauma experienced by children battling serious and chronic illnesses," shared Josh Walker, Team IMPACT's Mid-Atlantic Executive Director. "From the start, the University of Maryland has embraced our mission, and we are proud that Terps student-athletes will now proudly call themselves 'Team IMPACT athletes.' We look forward to working with Maryland to further help pediatric patients and families, while also setting an example for schools around the country."
 

NAACP - University of Maryland

In the wake of social injustice and the continuation of anti-Black racism across the country, many student-athletes spoke about the need to partner with a non-profit organization dedicated to equality and justice. Maryland Athletics' new partnership with the NAACP aligns with a department wide commitment to racial justice. In existence as a chapter for more than 40 years at the University of Maryland, the NAACP, continues to strive to expand its programs and offerings to the community. Through this collaboration, Maryland Athletics hopes to advance the Maryland Chapter of the NAACP's mission of advocating, informing and assisting our university community with not only dialogue but action.
  The new partnership plans to feature a Racial Justice in Sport Panel, joint community service opportunities, including student-athletes and the NAACP membership, and a unique fundraiser for the organization; Maryland Athletics plans to place a football uniform, featuring one of the special racial justice nameplates, up for auction with proceeds entirely benefiting the student-led organization.

"I am more than excited to work with our athletic department and use our platforms to, not only raise awareness, but also engage with those in our community to make our synonymous visions for equality a reality," said Zahrah Siddiq, University of Maryland NAACP President, Class of 2022.

Click here for more information on Maryland Athletics' community partnerships.