Maryland’s Football Letterwinners Weekend brought more than 120 Terps back to College Park on Friday and Saturday, turning the program’s past into part of the present.
The reunion gave former players a chance to reconnect with one another and with the current team, and Beau Brade said the experience still carries weight for him after his time at Maryland from 2020-23 and his NFL stops with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants.
“It means a lot to be here,” Brade said. “This area and this college supported me so much throughout my time here with academics, off the field, and on the field. It’s been amazing.”
Brade also pointed to the effort being made by the program’s new leadership to stay connected with alumni.
“Everyone's been so outgoing,” Brade said. “Everybody that’s been in the new front office, they’ve been so outgoing to not just introduce themselves, but really get to know you as a whole person. That’s been really amazing and what’s brought me back, them trying to get to know the alumni and build the best relationship they can.”
The weekend started with more than 50 former players attending the team walkthrough and dinner at Jones-Hill House on Friday night, a setting that let them watch the current Terps up close before Saturday’s game and connect across six generations of Maryland football.
On Saturday, the guests gathered for a tailgate hosted by Jamie Wu, a second-team All-ACC offensive lineman who played for Maryland from 1995-1999. Sardi’s Catering, a Maryland Athletics partner, handled the food.
“It was an honor to have our football letterwinners back on campus,” said Renaldo Nehemiah ‘81, M Club Executive Director and Maryland Track & Field letterwinner. “They represent much of our proud history and the culture that is Maryland football.
We value their contributions and they're always welcomed here! We can never thank them enough for representing Maryland at the highest levels both on and off their field of play."
As kickoff approached, the letterwinners went through the Mark L. Butler Tunnel and into SECU Stadium for a night game atmosphere. The second quarter brought an on-field recognition for the alumni in attendance, along with a tribute to five former players who died this year: Bruce Palmer, Mancel Johnson, Walt Rock, Dick Absher, and Tom Sankovich.
E.J. Henderson, a College Football Hall of Famer and Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer who played for the Terps from 1999-2002, said he keeps in touch with the program whenever he can.
“I usually try to have some sort of connection to the staff,” Henderson said. “Coach Locksley coached when I was here, so we have a good connection.
They do a good job keeping us connected to the staff and to the players. I’m trying to stay involved.
I came down to practice a couple times during camp.”
Andrew Magee, who played football and tennis for Maryland from 2005-09, said the return trip carried a special feeling.
“There's nothing better than College Park,” Magee said. “This is the best college town in America, so I'm glad to be back.
I’m happy to be back and give back to our athletic department. I think all of the other winners have a duty to give back to our department, so I'm happy to do my part.”
Henderson called the night atmosphere memorable.
“This is a special atmosphere tonight,” Henderson said. “It’s always good to come back for this type of atmosphere.”
Maryland will bring back the 1976 ACC Championship team and players from the Coach Jerry Claiborne era Oct. 16-17 vs. Rutgers, then welcome the 2001 ACC Championship team Nov. 13-14 vs. Wisconsin.
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