Maryland Made: Under Armour x Luminary: A Look Back at Year One and Ahead to Year Two
Recapping the first year of an impactful program that’s laid the foundation for future female Maryland student-athletes.
By Brady Ruth, Staff Writer
6/16/2026
Over the course of the last academic year, 22 student-athletes representing all 12 women’s sports at the University of Maryland Athletics department participated in the inaugural Women’s Leadership Program powered by Under Armour and Luminary. The program was designed to support the personal, academic, and professional development of women student-athletes by equipping them with leadership tools, career insights, and opportunities for growth beyond competition.
“Year one of this partnership with Under Armour and Luminary exceeded our expectations in so many ways,” Senior Deputy Athletic Director Diana Sabau said. “The opportunity for our female student-athletes to grow as leaders, build meaningful connections and gain confidence in professional and networking environments was incredibly impactful. We’re excited to continue that momentum into a second year and expand opportunities for even more student-athletes across our women’s programs.”
Through this first year, participants engaged in programming intended to strengthen confidence, leadership capacity, and readiness for future professional environments. By bringing together student-athletes from across all women’s teams, the initiative also created space for cross-sport connection, community-building, and shared learning among peers with diverse experiences and goals.
With all 12 women’s sports represented in the program, track & field student-athlete Evelyn VanZwieten’s message about the program was a sentiment shared by all 22 participants:
The program was encouraging, insightful, and inspiring. Thank you to Luminary and Under Armour for taking the time to cultivate confidence, foster growth, and instill the faith needed to believe in myself and my potential.Evelyn VanZwieten’
The year marked the birth of a partnership amongst Maryland Made, Under Armour and Luminary, a group focused on empowering women and allies through professional development, education, and networking. Its CEO — and proud Maryland Alumna — Cate Luzio was thrilled to partner with her alma mater and help the next generation of strong female Terps succeed in whatever lies ahead for them after sports.
"When we launched this program, our goal was to help student-athletes strengthen the leadership and professional skills that will serve them for life,” Luzio said. “What we witnessed was even more powerful. Through their workshops, their Luminary Crus cohorts, and the broader experience, participants formed genuine relationships that fostered trust, accountability, and belonging. They learned from industry leaders, but they also learned from each other. By the end of the program, many shared that they felt more confident initiating conversations, expanding their network, and building meaningful connections both on campus and beyond. Those relationships developed inside the program, combined with the skills they developed, are creating a foundation that will support their success for years to come."
The inaugural year reflects a meaningful investment in the development of women student-athletes at Maryland and highlights the shared commitment of Under Armour, Luminary, and Maryland Athletics to empowering the next generation of leaders. The participation of student-athletes from every women’s sport underscores the program's broad reach and its role in fostering leadership across the department.
The opportunity for our female student-athletes to grow as leaders, build meaningful connections and gain confidence in professional and networking environments was incredibly impactful. We’re excited to continue that momentum into a second year and expand opportunities for even more student-athletes across our women’s programs.Deputy Athletic Director Diana Sabau
Despite being a fully virtual program, all sides came together for an unforgettable day in January at Under Armour Headquarters in Baltimore. Under Armour hosted student-athletes from its flagship school, along with representatives from Luminary, for a day of panels, tours, networking, and more, transforming connections that had been built through a screen into meaningful in-person relationships.
“Reflecting on our pilot year of this program, I am incredibly proud of what Under Armour and Luminary built for these incredible University of Maryland student-athletes,” Under Armour Marketing & Activations Lead Kelly Eagan said. “We understand how demanding their schedules are and how valuable their time is, which made every interaction so meaningful.
“Through a combination of thoughtfully planned-out sessions and spontaneous, in-the-moment ideas, the experiences we created not only strengthened our connection with the athletes but also deepened the connections they built with each other. You never fully know how an opportunity like this will shape someone’s path, and that’s what makes the impact so powerful. We couldn’t be more energized to continue supporting their journeys and expanding the program in the upcoming academic year!”
Gallery: Women Leadership Program UA Visit
Building on the success of the inaugural year, Under Armour, Luminary, and Maryland Athletics have committed to a second year of the program, further reinforcing their shared investment in the growth and advancement of women student-athletes. For year two, the program has been expanded to 25 student-athletes across all 12 women’s sports, creating opportunities for even more participants to benefit from leadership development, professional learning, and cross-campus community-building. This expansion reflects the strong foundation established in year one and the continued momentum behind the partnership.
"Our partnership with Under Armour and Luminary has had a profound impact on our student-athletes, helping them take meaningful steps in their career readiness and leadership development,” Maryland Made’s Resa Lovelace said. “I’m excited that both organizations have committed to continuing this partnership and empowering the next cohort of student-athletes. It has always been my priority to ensure our student-athletes have access to opportunities that challenge them, broaden their perspectives, and prepare them for success beyond sports."
