Impact Of A Scholarship: Shelley McDuff
Taylor Weitz, Maryland Media Relations
9/17/2020
After Shelley McDuff took her last official visit to College Park, there was no doubt in her mind that the University of Maryland was where she wanted to begin her academic and athletic journey.
McDuff always assumed she would go to college outside of Maryland after growing up in Ellicott City, about 45 minutes away from College Park. However, the soccer star from River Hill High School had a change of heart after seeing Maryland in a completely different light than she had the previous 17 years of her life on that final official visit.
“It was the perfect combination of athletics and academics, a place that demanded success from coaches and teammates,” said McDuff, who played for the Terps from 2004-08. “I committed on the drive home, knowing this is where I wanted to be the next four years.”
Maryland provided her with some of the best years of her life, and friendships that will last a lifetime. Although her love for playing the sport was unmatched, she cherished the moments that came from the team’s achievements.
“My freshman year, our team made it to the Sweet 16, losing 1-0 in the pouring rain to the University of Washington,” McDuff recalls. “The chemistry and closeness of that team was second to none. The pride we had representing our state every time we stepped on the field is a feeling you cannot recreate.”
There is no doubt I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my experiences at MarylandShelley McDuff
Being on scholarship as a Maryland student-athlete left McDuff with a huge sense of pride and instilled in her the principles of work ethic, competitiveness, and teamwork. Having the opportunity to represent her state on the soccer field was an opportunity she always dreamed of. “The support of a scholarship helped make these dreams a reality,” she said.
During her final season, her former head coach, Brian Pensky, said, “Shelley has become our most consistent player, and there is such value in that. She has become the glue that holds things together for us, both on and off the field.”
Not only did this scholarship provide tangible benefits for the former team captain, such as graduating with no student debt, but it also helped her to become a more well-rounded person. “The intangible benefit of gratitude has helped me in all aspects of my life. It has helped in relationships, in work successes, and in an appreciation for the little things.”
I want to give back and provide future Terps the same opportunity I was afforded,Shelley McDuff
McDuff went on to Tampa, Florida, where she lived the first seven years post-Maryland. She worked in the athletic department at the University of South Florida, both in administration and fundraising where she was able to further understand the value and hard work that goes into supporting student-athletes. Simultaneously, Mcduff received her MBA from USF, and then moved onto Denver, Colorado where she has spent the last 4.5 years.
Denver gave McDuff the opportunity to work in medical sales for Dentsply Sirona Endodontics, providing dental solutions in Colorado and Wyoming.
“Once I transitioned into medical sales, the principles of being a student-athlete fueled my success,” McDuff said.
In 2018, she finished #1 of out 140 reps and landed herself the title of Sales Consultant of the Year. “There is no doubt I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my experiences at Maryland,” she admitted.
Beyond her job in Denver, McDuff is channeling her inner athlete and chasing the 14ers. “There are 58 peaks in Colorado over 14,000 ft, and it is my goal to climb all of them,” said McDuff. She has completed 16 of 58 of those mountains thus far.
McDuff attributes her current success largely to the foundation that was built while being a women’s soccer student-athlete at Maryland and is very thankful for the depth of what the Terrapin Club donors and their generosity has brought to not only her life, but the lives of many other student-athletes.
“I want to give back and provide future Terps the same opportunity I was afforded,” McDuff said. She currently supports the athletic department through the M Club, but her goal is to endow a scholarship for women’s athletics in the near future.
She recently took part in the inaugural Individual Mentoring Program Assisting Career Transition (I.M.P.A.C.T.) program which aims to establish relationships between current student-athletes and former student-athletes, alumni, and athletic department supporters in a mentor/mentee setting. McDuff is paired up with Terp golfer Lena Cappoccia as she looks to give back to her beloved alma mater.
