Sharing The Shell

Share the Shell embodies the spirit of student-athletes giving back. Living up to the program’s mission, several student-athletes from various sports have impacted the University of Maryland community thus far during the 2024 fall semester. 

The Share the Shell program provides a platform for University of Maryland student-athletes and staff to make a lasting impact on the community through service learning and engagement. It creates collaborative relationships while addressing social issues that impact local, national, and global communities.

To partake in community service events, student-athletes are prompted to visit Maryland Made’s Instagram story on Sundays at noon to find opportunities for the upcoming week. This year, student-athletes have individually completed service through this initiative and found service opportunities independently. 

Student-athletes who exemplify stellar community engagement are featured on Maryland Made’s social platforms and screens in student-athlete spaces like Gossett Hall. 

“Overseeing community engagement this semester has been truly rewarding, and it’s all thanks to our incredible student-athletes,” said Danielle Dyer, Maryland Athletics’ Community Engagement Intern. “Their commitment to serving our community is inspiring as they prioritize giving back even with demanding schedules of sports, school, and their personal lives.” 

“From the individual efforts they've made to the creative ideas they’ve shared for bringing service projects to life, I’m in awe of their passion and dedication to the Share the Shell initiative. It’s heartwarming to see them shine in their sports and our community. I’m grateful we are able to provide them opportunities and celebrate the amazing work they’re doing.”

In particular, Maryland softball has shown an exceptional commitment to finding various service opportunities to participate as a team. They’ve worked closely with Dyer to do so. One of the events several team members of Terps softball participated in was Ready, Set, Wellness at Rosa L. Parks Elementary School in Hyattsville, Md. The team engaged with families by playing games and making festive fall arts and crafts. 

Sammi Woods (softball) and Tasha Brozowski (gymnastics) are two Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board Members who serve as Directors of Share the Shell. Both work closely with Dyer to engage student-athletes in community service.

“Being one of the Share The Shell directors, I have the privilege of being on the other side of the donations where I actually get to firsthand see the people we’re helping," Woods said. “It is one of the most fulfilling feelings and a position that is extremely rewarding. I get the opportunity with Tasha to not only make a meaningful difference within our local community but hone my leadership skills as well.” 

Other student-athletes who have taken the initiative to impact the community through Share the Shell are Tyler Baruch (men’s track and field), Nyla Cherry (women’s track and field), Dillan Fontus (football), Kennadie Marchand (women’s soccer) and Trysta Thomas (women’s soccer). 

Fontus regularly engages in various service projects at Zion Church Greenbelt. One of the biggest initiatives he coordinated involved over 20 of his teammates hosting a food drive last Easter. He says growing up in Queens, New York, and seeing others struggle to get by influenced his desire to find ways to give back. 

“I know that there were people in my life who put me in the proper position to be where I am,” Fontus said. “I just really want to be, if not that person, but something that can lead to someone sparking a passion for something.”

Cherry volunteered at College Park Food Bank alongside Marchand and Thomas. She helped pack donation bags, bag produce and count bags. 

“I take pride in giving back because, more importantly, I take pride in being a follower of Christ,” Cherry said. “1 Peter 4:10. Jesus calls us to use our gifts to help others just as he did. It’s my goal that my assistance can help somebody else see the goodness of God because that will ultimately get you through any trying time.”

Baruch donated school supplies to a local youth organization and worked with the children to create vision boards to help them envision their career paths. 

A recent event involving members from various teams, including football, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s basketball and cheerleading, was the third annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 27. Student-athletes handed out candy, danced and spent time with local youth to celebrate Halloween from the trunks of their cars. 

Fontus’ favorite part of the event was playing pickup football with kids, many of whom were dressed as football players. 

“I met a couple of football players that were dressed up as that for Halloween,” Fontus said. “It was really nice to see that there was something good going on in the community where they can safely trick or treat. … This was something they'll probably never forget for the rest of their lives.”