Community

Since he arrived in College Park in 1989 as the head men's basketball coach, Gary Williams has made a profound impact on not only the University of Maryland, but also throughout the whole community and area.  Whether it be through his youth basketball camps, autograph sessions at local supermarkets for charity, speaking to classes on campus, appearing on local news channels, hosting charity events or traveling overseas to visit our troops in Iraq, Coach Williams has reached out to many organizations and people throughout the years. 

The Terrapins' head coach is an active member of the University of Maryland and greater Baltimore-Washington, D.C. community. Williams is involved in extensive charity, fund-raising and public speaking events throughout the year, particularly in the off-season.

In September of 2004, University President C.D. Mote Jr. announced that Williams would co-chair the scholarship component of Maryland's $200 million fund-raising campaign. In addition to a pledge of a half-million dollars of his own for academic scholarships at the university, Williams will represent the University at various functions and perform various networking duties to spearhead the fund-raising effort.

Earlier in the year, Williams served as the commencement speaker at the graduation proceedings for the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Williams, a 1968 University graduate with a degree in business, addressed the Class of 2004 at the Comcast Center ceremony.

Williams has been heavily involved in the NABC's Coaches vs. Cancer efforts. The program is a partnership between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society. The coaches participating in this program are dedicated to fighting cancer through increased support for research, patient services, and prevention education.

Williams has also worked with Maryland grad Boomer Esiason and others to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, hosting charity basketball games and golf events.

For the past two years, Williams has served as the honorary chairman for the Walk Far for N.A.A.R., which has raised more than one million dollars for the National Alliance of Autism Research. He has also chaired the Salvation Army's FORE Kids golf tournament, which raises proceeds for Washington, D.C.'s youth.