How did you first get involved with the Terrapin Club?
Linh: In February of 2011, I was at Buffalo Wild Wings in College Park one night when the
Johnny Holliday Radio Show was broadcasting from there. Colin Potts and Rich Olsen walked up to me, introduced themselves, asked me if I was a Terp fan, and then told me they needed my help. I had no idea what I was getting myself into a decade ago, but the rest is history. You get to see the program from a different vantage point and experience the behind the scenes magic needed to make it run. Its been so fun and rewarding that I've been helping ever since.
Why should young alumni get involved with the Terrapin Club?
Linh: For a few years now, I've had the opportunity to chair the committee on the New Generation of donors—young alumni and students. It's kind of like the Whitney Houston song—I believe that this segment is our future and the impact you're able to make is huge and will be felt for years to come. Spending time with this group also helps you feel like you're in college all over again—in non-COVID times, the committee has post-meeting fellowship time where we cheer on one of the teams or follow SVP's direction to go to Bentleys. If you have any interest in one day serving on the Board of Directors, the committee is where I got my start and learned from the ground up. We always love to have more volunteers so join us!
Do you have a message you would like to share with other donors and fans?
Linh: Thank you for your support of the Terrapin Club. Every dollar that you contribute goes to directly to our student-athlete scholarships—you're changing lives. This has been an unprecedented year for everyone and you've stood by and supported our student-athletes every step of the way, and for that I'm so grateful. I cannot WAIT to be back in the parking lots tailgating and in the stands cheering on our Terps beside you all!Â
Do you have an anecdote about Maryland Athletics or the Terrapin Club that you would share?
Linh: One of my favorite childhood memories happened at Maryland. When I was seven, my sister Binh was a freshman here. My parents let me spend the night with her in her LaPlata dorm room, eat (chocolate muffins!) in the dining hall, and go to my first Maryland athletics event—Midnight Madness. At the end of the weekend, she took me to the bookstore and bought me a Maryland shirt. When I went home, I wrote her a thank you note: "Thank you so much for my Maryland sh*t. I love it so much." She hung it up in her room and said she knew that's how I was going to go to Maryland one day.Â
Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Maryland Athletics
Linh:
Gary Williams,
Sasho Cirovski,
John Tillman, and Mike Locksley. Not only are they all great coaches, role models, and ambassadors to the University, but great guys as well. Gary and Sasho are actually co-godfathers for my dog Cole (named after the historic Cole Field House)!Â
What do you hope Maryland Athletics will achieve this year?
Linh: I hope all of our student-athletes stay safe and healthy—both mentally and physically. They undergo rigorous COVID testing daily and have to follow so many protocol rules to represent our University on the field. They're playing in front of empty stadiums and many haven't been home to see their families in months. This is all in addition to the demanding schedule of being a Division 1 athlete and being a student at one of the best universities in the Nation. A National championship would be nice too. :)Â
If you could go back in time and witness one Terps game live (in any sport), what would it be and why?
Linh: Easy answer—I would go back to April 1, 2002 in Atlanta for our national championship game. I was 14 at the time watching it in my parents kitchen with my dad, so I'd want to take him back in time with me too.
What do you want to see Maryland Athletics achieve moving forward?
Linh:Â The same thing as everybody else! More Big Ten and national championships on the field and student-athletes graduating!
What makes Maryland Athletics so special?
Linh: Maryland is a family—all of the staff, coaches, student-athletes, and fans are always cheering each other on and there for the good times and the bad. Even while we can't see each other in the pandemic, I still feel like part of the family through the emails, calls, and virtual events we've had. Maryland Pride is a real thing and you see it in every aspect of our program. Our coaches and staff are world-class in everything that they do. Our student-athletes are not only talented on the field, but leaders in the classroom and just genuinely good and caring young people. Last, but certainly not least, our fans are the best fans in the country and make Maryland one of the hardest places to play at. I can't wait to be back on campus watching that giant Maryland flag unfurl down the student section again.Â
