A Tribute To A True Terp

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, family, friends, and fellow Terp fans honored the life of a beloved Terps alumni, Frank Shull III, at the men's basketball game against Minnesota.

Shull graduated from the University of Maryland in 1958, and since then, he has made many contributions to give back to the community he loves. At UMD, Frank met his wife and the mother of his four children through being a part of Greek life on campus, which strengthened his love for this school. 

In the 70s, Shull III became one of the first lifetime members of the Terrapin Club. As a member, donors can get prime seats for Maryland football games, courtside tickets to basketball games, and many other benefits for a lifetime. 

"My dad bled red and white," said the son of Frank Shull III, Frank Shull IV. "He always wanted to support the school that he graduated from and loved."

Shull III eventually took the position of president of the Terrapin Club in 1993, which he held for a year. As president, Frank sold the first life insurance policy provided by the University of Maryland's athletic department. From there, he began selling millions of dollars worth of life insurance to university alumni, providing a foundation and support system for the program but also for the betterment of the school.

Also, during his time as Terrapin Club president, Frank began the Terrapin Club Young Alumni organization. The Young Alumni organization allows alumni who have completed their degrees within the last five years to stay connected to Maryland Athletics and all things Terps. 

Shull III was also an original Friends of Gary organization member, now called Friends of Maryland Basketball. This organization was sculpted by a group of men who connected by attending almost every Maryland basketball game and cared about the culture and success of the program heavily. 

"I called them his own crony guys. Their friendship was founded by their love of the school and the game, which is something really special," said Frank Shull IV, who also joined the organization once he graduated from UMD.

Shull IV values the relationships his father made within the basketball program here, especially the lasting one he has now with another member, a former coach of the UMD Men's basketball team for 22 years, Gary Williams. 

 Friends of Maryland Basketball is the official support group of Maryland Men's Basketball. The funds raised by this program support the budget allocated to increase the program's success as a whole. 

"My father was just a giver. He loved to make people happy. Everywhere he went, he made friends with the people he encountered. He talked to everybody because he simply just loved people and wanted to help in any way that he could," said Shull of his father's involvement in the success of the Maryland basketball culture. 

Seeing his father get honored at a Maryland basketball game, a team and activity that meant so much to the both of them, and a nostalgic memory Frank possessed with his father was a moment Shull will never forget. 

"My dad would be very happy." 

"We grew up going to every Maryland football game, basketball game, lacrosse game, tailgating in the parking lots, the whole lot," Shull recalls. His family was known to radiate Maryland pride wherever they went.

Frank Shull III clearly had a significant impact on his son's life and his other children, wife, peers, co-workers, and friends.  

"My father was one of the nicest, kindest, most generous people you'd ever meet. He always had a joke on hand and found a way to make you feel comfortable without fail. He made everyone feel special and valued and I respect and look up to him for that," Shull said. 

His positivity and dedication to this school left the basketball program better than it was and allowed it to continue improving as his legacy lives on. His son plans to continue Frank's legacy at this school and within this special program, even now living in Florida. 

"I hope to give back in any way I can. I want to start a scholarship in his name for students and continue making changes and making my father proud."