Athletics Matters - Paul Mandell ‘95
7/30/2026 5:00:00 AM | Terrapin Club
Hear about Mandell's path to Terrapin fandom as the second part of the Terrapin Club's "Athletics Matters" series.
By Paul Mandell '95Nothing rivals the energy of being in the building when it happens.
Some of my fondest college memories were forged in the stands of Cole Field House. The first time we faced Duke after our probation ended — the first time in years that a game truly felt like it mattered — was exhilarating. The atmosphere in that arena, the electricity, the collective excitement. There was a unifying fervor that ran through all of us: love for our team, love for our university. It was something special.
And I've been fortunate to experience many such moments since. The national championship in 2002 and the Final Four run the year before. The General leading us past Duke in 2010. Toppling Purdue in 2023. The College Gameday victory in 2005. Each of these has deepened my connection to the University of Maryland and reaffirmed my pride in being a Terp.
Athletics Matters.
When our teams succeed, morale rises with them. Every unforgettable play, every win, conference title, and national championship instills school spirit and elevates a shared sense of pride. It is tangible and palpable. Yet success is not the only source of value. Whatever the outcome, athletics is woven into the very fabric of the college experience. It draws people in and immerses them in the campus and the community. It forges bonds that endure a lifetime.When you consider the connections that keep people engaged with the Terp community, athletics stands near the very top. Whether it's local alumni and fans gathering for home games, or those scattered across the country and around the world coming together for away games and watch parties, athletics gives people a reason to unite.
Athletics Binds Us.
College sports are evolving — that is simply the nature of things. Some cherish the old ways; others embrace what is new. Change is inevitable. But this new dimension of college athletics does not alter the core of what has always made it meaningful. It keeps us bound to one another as a community, and to an institution that will forever remain part of who we are. Every chance to watch a competition is an opportunity to remember — and to be reinvigorated by — what made College Park so special to us during our years there.I have been a proud football and men's basketball season ticket holder for decades, and I get into the building every chance I get. We are all busy to varying degrees, but I encourage you to find the time to make it to a game or two. You'll surely not only have a wonderful time — you'll come away filled with excitement and optimism, and with a renewed sense of belonging to an institution that is uniquely special.
About Paul Mandell '95
Paul graduated from the University of Maryland, where he majored in government and served as President of the Student Government Association and Chair of the University System of Maryland Student Council. He is a founder and the CEO of Consero Group, which joined the Blackstone family of companies in 2021. Since 2005, he has launched a series of businesses, and he is a founding partner in several startup incubators. He currently serves on the University of Maryland College Park Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a recipient of the Wilson H. Elkins Award, the Spirit of Maryland Award, and the UMCP College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dean's Award, and he is a member of the UMCP Foundation's 1856 Society and the BSOS Dean's Circle.
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