Record Giving, Engagement Highlight Letterwinner Support to Maryland Athletics in 2025-26
7/16/2026 3:00:00 PM | Terrapin Club
COLLEGE PARK, MD -- A Maryland Athletics-record 501 letterwinners across 23 sports gave back philanthropically to Maryland Athletics through the Terrapin Club in 2025-26 and more than 600 came back to campus for a variety of celebrations, reunions and events throughout the year.
"Letterwinners are the foundation of Maryland Athletics," said Renaldo Nehemiah, Executive Director of the M Club, Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer and Track and Field letterwinner from 1977-81. "They are the tradition, the legacy and the heritage. They gave it their all while they competed for the Terps and it is inspiring to see them continuing to be invested after their playing days have ended."
The record philanthropic support from letterwinners in 2025-26 represents a 13% year-over-year increase from 2024-25 and includes an all-time high in letterwinner donors from the following sports: Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse, and Men's Soccer.
"Thoughtful engagement with our Terps letterwinners is a core tenet of our collective efforts," said Kirby Mills, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Development Officer. "We are committed to ensuring they know they always have a home in College Park and we are grateful for their generosity both financially and of their time and energy."
The M Club Foundation, which was founded in 1923 and is the 4th longest active letterwinner organization in the country, also boasts 800-plus active and lifetime members.
Homecoming, the inaugural Men's Basketball Players Weekend hosted in conjunction with the Maryland Basketball Coalition, multiple sport reunions, celebrations of life and six notable championship celebrations brought 600-plus letterwinners back to College Park.
The inaugural Another National Championship event in New York City celebrated the 20th and 25th anniversaries, respectively, of the 2006 Women's Basketball national championship team and 2002 Men's Basketball national championship team. Three letterwinners in attendance – Marissa Coleman (Women's Basketball), Shawn Merriman (Football) and Joe Smith (Men's Basketball) – were also told at the event they would be inducted in the 2026 Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame Class. In total the event featured more than 40 letterwinners, including seven members of each the 2002 and 2006 national championship teams, 17 individuals who won national championships at Maryland and 11 current Maryland Athletics Hall of Famers.
Four letterwinners – Kevin Ford (Men's Swimming), Craig Hochstadt (Men's Lacrosse), Scott Hochstadt (Men's Lacrosse) and Mike Strittmatter (Football) – joined the University of Maryland's 1856 Society, which is a community of donors whose transformational gifts to Maryland have reached $1 million or more, or a planned gift of $5 million or more. A total of 11 Maryland Athletics letterwinners are a part of the 1856 Society.
Fifteen letterwinners across seven sports joined or renewed as members of the Victory Circle, which celebrates donors who have made gifts or pledges of $50,000 or more. A total of 40 letterwinners are members of Maryland Athletics' Victory Circle.
A number of letterwinners lent their name and likeness to game and event promotions, digital engagement and outreach efforts, and community engagement, including Jane Connolly (Women's Basketball), Len Elmore (Men's Basketball), James Gist (Men's Basketball), Dave Neal (Men's Basketball), Brionna Jones (Women's Basketball), Crystal Langhorne (Women's Basketball), Shawne Merriman (Football), Johnny Rhodes (Men's Basketball), Joe Smith (Men's Basketball), Greivis Vasquez (Men's Basketball), Buck Williams (Men's Basketball).
Three scholarship endowments were started by letterwinners, including Chuck Easter (Baseball), Bob Stropp (Baseball) and Jamie Wu (Football). Five additional endowments were established in honor of former student-athletes, including the 2002 Men's Basketball National Championship team, Vicki Brick-Zupancic (Women's Basketball), Louis Carter (Football), Derik Queen (Men's Basketball) and Ernie Torain (Football).
More than 35 letterwinners participated in the University of Maryland's annual Giving Day on March 4, including Lonny Baxter (Men's Basketball), Steve Francis (Men's Basketball), Laura Harper (Women's Basketball), Brionna Jones (Women's Basketball), Drew Nicholas (Men's Basketball), Nick Novak (Football), Derik Queen (Men's Basketball), and Joe Smith (Men's Basketball).
Our campaign for the Fearless
Philanthropic gifts to athletics support Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless, a $2.5 billion fundraising initiative in support of expanding access to UMD's top-tier education, accelerating groundbreaking research and building stronger communities. Maryland Athletics aims to raise at least $350M as part of the Forward campaign, elevating priorities that fit into four fundraising objectives: Elevate a championship culture; empower young people to realize their full potential; mold tomorrow's leaders today; and foster success through community. Those interested in learning more about how they can participate in the Forward campaign are encouraged to click HERE or contact the Terrapin Club at 301-314-7020 or tclub@umd.edu.
"Letterwinners are the foundation of Maryland Athletics," said Renaldo Nehemiah, Executive Director of the M Club, Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer and Track and Field letterwinner from 1977-81. "They are the tradition, the legacy and the heritage. They gave it their all while they competed for the Terps and it is inspiring to see them continuing to be invested after their playing days have ended."
The record philanthropic support from letterwinners in 2025-26 represents a 13% year-over-year increase from 2024-25 and includes an all-time high in letterwinner donors from the following sports: Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse, and Men's Soccer.
"Thoughtful engagement with our Terps letterwinners is a core tenet of our collective efforts," said Kirby Mills, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Development Officer. "We are committed to ensuring they know they always have a home in College Park and we are grateful for their generosity both financially and of their time and energy."
The M Club Foundation, which was founded in 1923 and is the 4th longest active letterwinner organization in the country, also boasts 800-plus active and lifetime members.
Homecoming, the inaugural Men's Basketball Players Weekend hosted in conjunction with the Maryland Basketball Coalition, multiple sport reunions, celebrations of life and six notable championship celebrations brought 600-plus letterwinners back to College Park.
National champions were recognized and honored throughout the year, including a 20th anniversary celebration of the 2006 Women's Basketball National Championship highlighted by a dinner with the 2025-26 and 2005-06 teams and a pre-game fan event. Other notable championship celebrations included the 1973 Men's Lacrosse team receiving its long-awaited championship rings, the 20th anniversary celebration of the 2005 Men's Soccer National Championship and the 30th anniversary celebration of the 1996 Women's Lacrosse National Championship.It was wonderful to celebrate our 2006 @TerpsWBB National Champions on Sunday! This team played with passion, determination, and heart that made every Terp fan proud! Champions forever! #GoTerps 🏆🐢🏀 pic.twitter.com/mg3nTaldfi
— Jim Smith (@TerpsADJimSmith) January 5, 2026
Alumni Weekend 🐢❤️💐
— Maryland Women's Lacrosse (@MarylandWLax) March 30, 2026
Special day in College Park celebrating our alumni and honoring 30 years of our 1996 national championship! 🏆#OATAAT pic.twitter.com/L5JQOmE7mj
The inaugural Another National Championship event in New York City celebrated the 20th and 25th anniversaries, respectively, of the 2006 Women's Basketball national championship team and 2002 Men's Basketball national championship team. Three letterwinners in attendance – Marissa Coleman (Women's Basketball), Shawn Merriman (Football) and Joe Smith (Men's Basketball) – were also told at the event they would be inducted in the 2026 Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame Class. In total the event featured more than 40 letterwinners, including seven members of each the 2002 and 2006 national championship teams, 17 individuals who won national championships at Maryland and 11 current Maryland Athletics Hall of Famers.
Today was a GREAT day to be a Terp!
— Jim Smith (@TerpsADJimSmith) May 14, 2026
We celebrated Maryland Athletics at our Another National Championship event in New York City!
I ask all of Terp Nation to BELIEVE!
We are going to win and tonight was a huge night to elevate our Terrapins. #GoTerps 🐢 pic.twitter.com/QXvwrKPcKz
Four letterwinners – Kevin Ford (Men's Swimming), Craig Hochstadt (Men's Lacrosse), Scott Hochstadt (Men's Lacrosse) and Mike Strittmatter (Football) – joined the University of Maryland's 1856 Society, which is a community of donors whose transformational gifts to Maryland have reached $1 million or more, or a planned gift of $5 million or more. A total of 11 Maryland Athletics letterwinners are a part of the 1856 Society.
A gift rooted in family, tradition, and lacrosse 🥍❤️
— Maryland Terrapins (@umterps) July 15, 2026
Scott '00 and Craig '03 Hochstadt committed $1 million to support the future home of @TerpsMLax, honoring their late father, Ira '71, and helping the next generation thrive.
Learn more: https://t.co/hL3D5yyLbE pic.twitter.com/5z5M1YmtZH
Fifteen letterwinners across seven sports joined or renewed as members of the Victory Circle, which celebrates donors who have made gifts or pledges of $50,000 or more. A total of 40 letterwinners are members of Maryland Athletics' Victory Circle.
A number of letterwinners lent their name and likeness to game and event promotions, digital engagement and outreach efforts, and community engagement, including Jane Connolly (Women's Basketball), Len Elmore (Men's Basketball), James Gist (Men's Basketball), Dave Neal (Men's Basketball), Brionna Jones (Women's Basketball), Crystal Langhorne (Women's Basketball), Shawne Merriman (Football), Johnny Rhodes (Men's Basketball), Joe Smith (Men's Basketball), Greivis Vasquez (Men's Basketball), Buck Williams (Men's Basketball).
Three scholarship endowments were started by letterwinners, including Chuck Easter (Baseball), Bob Stropp (Baseball) and Jamie Wu (Football). Five additional endowments were established in honor of former student-athletes, including the 2002 Men's Basketball National Championship team, Vicki Brick-Zupancic (Women's Basketball), Louis Carter (Football), Derik Queen (Men's Basketball) and Ernie Torain (Football).
More than 35 letterwinners participated in the University of Maryland's annual Giving Day on March 4, including Lonny Baxter (Men's Basketball), Steve Francis (Men's Basketball), Laura Harper (Women's Basketball), Brionna Jones (Women's Basketball), Drew Nicholas (Men's Basketball), Nick Novak (Football), Derik Queen (Men's Basketball), and Joe Smith (Men's Basketball).
Our campaign for the Fearless
Philanthropic gifts to athletics support Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless, a $2.5 billion fundraising initiative in support of expanding access to UMD's top-tier education, accelerating groundbreaking research and building stronger communities. Maryland Athletics aims to raise at least $350M as part of the Forward campaign, elevating priorities that fit into four fundraising objectives: Elevate a championship culture; empower young people to realize their full potential; mold tomorrow's leaders today; and foster success through community. Those interested in learning more about how they can participate in the Forward campaign are encouraged to click HERE or contact the Terrapin Club at 301-314-7020 or tclub@umd.edu.
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