COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Three-time All-American and 2019 Tewaaraton Finalist Jared Bernhardt has announced he will return to College Park to play his final season of collegiate lacrosse in 2021.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to come back to Maryland and rejoin my coaches and teammates," said Bernhardt. "The uncertainty of the last nine months has definitely been a challenge, but I'm thankful to have another chance to play college lacrosse this season. I'm just focused on getting better alongside my teammates every day, and pursuing our ultimate goal of winning a national championship."

As a result of the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCAA student-athletes competing in spring sports were granted an additional season of eligibility in their respective sports. Bernhardt will enroll for the spring semester at Maryland and exhaust his final year of collegiate lacrosse eligibility.

"I could not be more excited to have Jared back at Maryland for one more season," said head coach John Tillman. "Obviously this past year has been a challenge like none of us have faced before, and Jared was no exception dealing with the uncertainty the pandemic has caused. To have him back at Maryland with his brother Jesse and his teammates is a blessing. We can't wait to welcome him back to College Park and begin our 2021 season."

Bernhardt returns as one of Maryland's most decorated players in program history, helping lead Maryland to 47 wins, three Big Ten titles, two Final Fours and the 2017 NCAA Championship. A four-year letter winner and two-year team captain, Bernhardt has started every game in his career while being named a four-time Inside Lacrosse All-American, a three-time USILA All-American, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree and a 2019 Tewaaraton Award Finalist.

The Longwood, Fla. native is a mainstay in the Maryland record books, ranking in the top ten in career goals (131), career points (191) and career extra-man goals (15) while holding the No. 2 spot all-time in single season goals (51) and No. 6 spot in single season points (78) after a memorable 2019 campaign. 

Bernhardt has enriched the historic legacy of the No. 1 jersey for Maryland lacrosse, wearing the number the past two seasons. The number is bestowed to the player on the team who displays the utmost character and leadership on and off the field and truly lives the program's motto "Be The Best" in his everyday life.

Bernhardt has been a model student-athlete off the field as well, as he was named Maryland's 2020 Big Medal of Honor recipient, a 2020 Senior Class Award candidate and two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection before officially earning his bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice last May. 

-Terps-