Impact Of A Scholarship: A.J. DeLaGarza

When you know, you know, and A.J. DeLaGarza knew.

Without going on a proper official visit or hearing from other schools ready to offer him, DeLaGarza knew that the University of Maryland was his home when he signed on the dotted line and accepted his athletic scholarship.

"I was just hanging around campus with my dad, and they asked me if I was coming here. I told them that I gotta ask my mom, five minutes later I was like yeah, I'm coming." DeLaGarza said as he recalled the day he committed.

DeLaGarza had plenty of reasons to choose Maryland as his new home, from stellar academics to the fact that College Park was only an hour from where he went to high school. 

But, the biggest reason might have been that he was joining a program coming off a Final Four appearance in 2004.

"I knew what type of environment I was going into; I knew I was going to be pushed by the best on and off the field and that it was only going to make me better." DeLaGarza said.

From his arrival in College Park, DeLaGarza used his scholarship to make his impact, not just on the field but also in the community, cementing his name in the history books.

DeLaGarza was a potential candidate for a redshirt during his freshman season. Instead, he played and became a key contributor on the 2005 National Championship team, starting in the national championship game, where his defense helped the Terps shutout New Mexico.

DeLaGarza's career at Maryland culminated in a successful senior season, earning a Second Team All-ACC selection. His efforts helped the Terps capture the ACC Championship and the 2008 National Championship while winning team Co-Most Valuable Defensive Player honors. DeLaGarza also earned his criminal justice degree in the classroom in three years.

During his time at Maryland, DeLaGarza earned more than just a degree and a couple of championships. In addition, he made lifelong friendships and relationships, none closer than his bond with fellow national champion Omar Gonzelez.

DeLaGarza and Gonzalez were college teammates from 2006-08 and were reunited in Los Angeles when the L.A. Galaxy selected DeLaGarza in the second round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. The two remained teammates for six years before reuniting this season with the New England Revolution.

"This is like our 11th year together and it's crazy because we were just two kids playing soccer and taking the same classes, now we both have kids and our kids are in the same classes, that relationship started when we were younger at Maryland." DeLaGarza said.

DeLaGarza's leadership and toughness were on display not just in the MLS but internationally as well.

After two appearances with the United States Men's National Team, he switched allegiances and represented Guam from 2013 until 2019.

Once again, in his soccer career, he was a part of history as he started and played all 90 minutes in Guam's first-ever World Cup Qualifier win.

For DeLaGarza, he took the lessons he learned playing for a championship program at Maryland and brought that same #TerrapinStrong mentality to a team and country desperate for international success.

"I remember when I first got there and they were just hoping to be competitive and not lose by four or five goals, so being a part of that change from being afraid to lose to going and winning matches was satisfying," DeLaGarza said.

That #TerpianStrong mentality was on display in a bigger way following a personal tragedy that struck his family in 2014.

DeLaGarza's son Luca tragically passed away after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect known as "Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome."

A.J. and his wife Megan started the "Luca Knows Heart" foundation and helped raise over $25,000 for the Heart Center of the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. From these efforts came perhaps his most meaningful professional accomplishment as he was named MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2014.

"We wanted to, in some ways keep his name alive, and raise awareness for other families that are going through what we had to go through and to let them know that they're not alone. That we are always here for support and whatever we can do to help that community."

DeLaGarza knows the importance the Terrapin community can have on an athlete, and he decided to give back himself, taking time a couple of years ago to provide words of wisdom to the eventual 2018 National Champions.

"I had some free time, and I went back and told them to cherish the moment, cherish the time together as teammates and as friends, I jokingly say that my words got them over the hump, but it was great to spend that time with them."

Currently, in his 15th MLS Season, DeLaGarza appreciates the role donors and supporters played in his career and life after Maryland. DeLaGarza continues to play while working on his foundation and raising his three daughters.

Moments like standing with his daughters during the national anthem of a game provide perspective for DeLaGarza about how far he has come thanks to his experiences as a Terrapin and the athletic scholarship that started it all.

"Without the University of Maryland, the athletics, the academics and the people, I wouldn't be where I am today."