Impact Of A Scholarship: Natasha Criss

When Natasha Criss’s time as a Maryland student-athlete ended in December 1992, there was only one thing on her mind: finding a way to stay at the university she had come to call home. Over four years as a scholarship track and field athlete, Criss repeatedly fell in love with the school’s campus, and the academic support unit she would soon come to revolutionize.

“The values and the mission of the departments and what they try to instill in their athletes, is something that I am proud of,” said Criss. “I think I’m a product of what they want a Maryland student to be.”

Growing up in Essex County, New Jersey, Criss had no inclination that Maryland would be a school that would change her life forever. It wasn’t until her recruiting visit that she made a connection to the university.

“I was like, I’m coming. This is the place for me. Maryland was a place that I looked at and I was like, this is what I always thought a college campus looks like,” remarked Criss when describing her recruiting visit.

Criss joined Maryland during a period of transition and change. She was able to witness firsthand the opening of the university’s Academic Support Unit, student-athlete support services, and student-athlete evaluations, programs designed to better help Maryland’s student-athletes thrive.

Criss’s fondest memories as a Maryland student-athlete were of the Penn Relays, which she likened to a college version of the Olympics, and traveling between meets on the buses with her team. One theme stood out to her over and over: team chemistry.

“With us, it was just about being around each other. There’s a men’s team, and a women’s team, but we were just one team,” said Criss. Many of her teammates have stayed close “like family does” more than 30 years later, including one of her former teammates that is now a Maryland team doctor.

During her time as a student-athlete, Criss found herself drawn to the Academic Support Unit, a program designed to help Maryland’s student-athletes succeed in their declared majors. She worked in academic support as a student and stayed on for four-and-a-half years after graduating, setting up community projects and doing one-on-one educational work with Maryland’s football and basketball student-athletes. Criss was especially partial to Maryland’s athletic support unit because of her own experience with the unit as a student.

“The people who were in charge of the unit when I was a student-athlete were the reason why I was the person I was, and why I graduated,” Criss explained, “they were just awesome individuals.”

While Criss was at Maryland, she was also part of the formation of the Black Student-Athlete Council, a recognized student group on campus, complete with a constitution. 

“We thought it was important to have representation and something for ourselves,” said Criss who was one of about 100 Black student-athletes at the time at Maryland. “We supported each other at competitions and even wore black wrist bands to support the construction of the Nymburu Cultural Center. This actually taught me that when something is important to you, let it be known … don't be afraid to support things that others may not.”

After leaving Maryland for grad school at the University of Louisville and a quick stint as a student advisor at the University of Central Florida, Criss once again found herself drawn to her alma mater. Criss returned to work as the football counselor for Coach Ralph Friedgen’s players. Criss’s job took on a wide range of responsibilities that often left her managing multiple players’ lives at once.

“You’re not sitting there picking out classes,” Criss remarked, “You’re helping them manage their life and kind of navigate through this whole student-athlete experience.” Criss helped the student-athletes with their schedules, time management, and study habits. She also was in charge of the community service for the football team, coordinating photo ops and charity games.

Then, after five years, Criss decided to leave the program. “I always get to a point where I want to do more like I want to be better so that my students can be better, especially when we’re talking about Maryland and Maryland student-athletes,” she explained, “so I actually left athletics.” 

Instead of leaving Maryland for good, Criss once again became a Terrapin pioneer, taking the helm as the first-ever director of Maryland’s freshman connection program. Criss helped take the program from a small 300 students to the thousand-student program it is today. 

However, Criss couldn’t escape her love of athletics for long, and after a year-long stint as freshman connection director, she returned as an advisor in 2007, this time for the basketball program under Gary Williams. After nine years working under Williams, Criss completed her work at the University of Maryland, this time for good (or at the very least, for now). She wants no question about it, though: her Maryland pride is unmatched.

“There’s no better place,” Criss said, “I will argue anybody down over my school. We have the best flag in the country, we have some of the best traditions in the country… I will argue everyone to death about how great Maryland is.”

Nowadays, Criss works as a program manager at The Trust, the non-profit arm of the NFLPA. Criss works with retired NFL players to connect them with different benefits and programming. She often works with Maryland alumni who played in the NFL. Criss credits her work as an academic advisor for the football team as one of the reasons her current job comes so easily to her.

“I tell [the former players] I used to be an academic counselor for football. And they’re like, ‘oh, so you know how we are.’ I say I do, very much so,” said Criss.

As someone who worked for Maryland’s student-athletes in addition to being a student-athlete, Criss is well aware of the amount of time and money needed to make the Terrapins the best organization they can be.

“It’s a huge heartfelt thank you for the people who invest in the education and experience of the student-athletes,” Criss remarked, “I got to know donors just working there too… we knew them, they cared about the students, they cared that we were able to get our education.”

Criss is currently in both the Terrapin Club and M Club, and her goal is to give back to the school that has provided her with so many fond memories.

“Being a scholarship student-athlete at Maryland allowed me to meet a diverse group of people, have experiences and deal with a variety of situations,” said Criss. “None of which would have happened if I wasn't a part of the Track & Field team.  

“Sport crosses over into so many aspects of life and teaches you about life.  It gives you a platform.  All of my experiences prepared me for my career in Athletics.  Building relationships and connections is something I value.  That is something that my family and sports has taught me.  That is also something that has helped me be successful in my career and life.”