Athletics Quarterly Update

McDaniel College Athletics Quarterly Updates

Dear Green Terror Alumni, Parents, and Friends: 

With the 2025 fall sports season wrapped up, I am excited to bring you the first quarterly update from McDaniel College Athletics.  

Life as an NCAA Division III student-athlete is unique, and it’s an experience that’s made extra special here on the Hill thanks to the support of our Green Terror community. As part of the recently launched Reaching New Heights campaign, Green and Gold athletic donors have already significantly impacted our student-athletes and programs in four major ways through Gill Stadium renovations and program support.   

Gill Stadium Upgrades

 

Renovated GIll Stadium

If you’ve been to the Hill for a football or field hockey game late this fall, you’ve been immediately greeted by vibrant new scoreboard art as you enter Stadium Drive, welcoming visitors to the Home of the Green Terror. This is just one of three upgrades to Gill Stadium this fall. 

Ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the renovated track.
Students perform a ceremonial lap around the renovated track.
Dr. Richard A. Clower ’50 Track

Prior to kickoff of the Homecoming football game against Dickinson on Oct. 25, we celebrated the official dedication and ribbon-cutting of the new donor-funded Dr. Richard A. Clower ’50 Track. Through the generosity of a group of anonymous donors, the track is named in honor of 1950 alum Dick Clower, professor emeritus of Exercise Science and Physical Education (now Kinesiology), who also served as the college’s director of Athletics.  

I was proud to join Dick and his wife, Sherry Albright Clower ’94, M.S. ’99, McDaniel President Julia Jasken, and Board Chair Bruce Preston ’75, along with the Head Track and Field Coach Kendall Luy, and former Head Track and Field Coach Doug Renner ’80, for the ceremony. Members of the men’s and women’s track and field teams celebrated the occasion by running a ceremonial lap around the track.  

Additional donors for the new track and renovated jumping areas include Darrell Guyton ’87, Kris Twiford Guyton ’88, Don Rembert ’61, Judy Ellis Rembert ’60, and Susan C. Stevenson ’85. The new track and jumping areas provide an exceptional training and home meet venue for our track programs, allow community members to exercise on a safe track, and offer high schools and running clubs the opportunity to have meets on campus as part of our recruiting efforts.  

While the track is complete and currently in use by our student-athletes and the wider McDaniel and Westminster communities, donors and friends can still be part of the great legacy of track and field on the Hill. There are still naming opportunities available for those interested in donating to the record board, the finish line, running lanes, the steeplechase pit, starting lines for various races, and the donor wall. Please contact Carolyn Hojnowski at carolyn.hojnowski@mcdaniel.edu to find out more. 

Locker Room Upgrades

The college is excited to pursue upgrades for our NCAA Division III student-athletes at Gill Stadium with the addition of much-needed new lockers in the team rooms underneath the stadium. The teams that use Gill Stadium — football, field hockey, men’s lacrosse, and women’s lacrosse — will soon benefit from team-specific, professional-grade locker rooms that will alleviate overcrowding in the Gill Center locker rooms.  

Production has begun on the lockers, and coaches will soon be able to showcase these new facilities to help recruits envision themselves as valued collegiate athletes. The spring teams will begin using the renovated spaces this year. These kinds of facility improvements are essential to help us attract and retain the most talented student-athletes. We thank donors including Donald Rembert ’61, Judith Ellis Rembert ’60, Joseph Browning ’11, and Caitlin Browning for their support of this project. 

Green and Gold Challenge

The support of our athletic alumni, parents, and friends extends beyond these wonderful renovations. During this year’s Green & Gold Challenge, 1,084 donors contributed $147,276 and we were able to award an additional $1,000 each to the following teams who met criteria for special awards: 

  • The Green Award: Men’s lacrosse (the team that raised the most overall dollars for its program) 
  • The Leveled-Up Award: Women’s wrestling (greatest increase in total raised from 2024) 
  • The Loyal Fan Award: Women’s soccer (highest alumni participation rate) 
  • The Golden Donor Award: Men’s wrestling (designated by the 650th donor) 

This support is critical in ensuring our teams have the resources they need to compete at the highest level. Green and Gold funds provide support for new equipment, team trips, and training and weight room needs. Thank you to all of the donors who contributed to this annual event. Your gifts will help make a difference in the student-athletes’ experiences on the Hill as they reach new heights.  

I want to take a moment to thank our Athletics Campaign Committee, led by Splinter Yingling ’68, for their efforts in raising more than $3 million for Athletics since the start of the campaign. 

Future Investments and Projects

As we transition from fall sports and look ahead to winter and spring, we look forward to additional investments in our athletic facilities. This spring, we will debut updates at Preston Field ahead of the baseball season opener. This includes all new padding, pitch clocks, and a new infield. In Gill Gymnasium, new baskets will soon be installed, and over the next three years, we will be seeking donations to renovate the basketball court and bleachers to enhance the men’s and women’s basketball experiences. 

Looking ahead, one of my biggest priorities during the Reaching New Heights campaign will be funding full-time head and assistant coaching positions. The part-time coaching model is dwindling in the NCAA world, and to keep McDaniel Athletics competitive within the Centennial Conference and our region, we must invest in full-time coaching positions to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded experience for all Green Terror student-athletes.  

Assistant coaches are essential far beyond game day with contributions to scouting, recruiting, game planning, academic support, and ultimately, team culture. Because these investments are ongoing, endowed gifts are essential to provide the college with a sustained source of income to attract and retain the nation’s top NCAA Division III coaches. These investments are central to the continued development of our program and our championship aspirations. Investments in full-time head and assistant coaching positions are especially essential to football, baseball, softball, men’s soccer, volleyball, and field hockey. 

Thank you for being part of the tradition that defines Green Terror Athletics. Your support keeps that legacy alive and ensures that today’s student-athletes feel the same pride and purpose that generations before them carried on the Hill.  

I hope to see you at a game soon — Go Green Terror! 

Jeremy Shepherd 

Director of Athletics 

Invest in the Future of Green Terror Athletics

Thank you for being part of the tradition that defines Green Terror Athletics. Your support keeps that legacy alive and ensures that today’s student-athletes feel the same pride and purpose that generations before them carried on the Hill.

Give to Athletics

Athletics Coaching Investments

Empower the Coaches Who Inspire Champions.

Behind every great team are mentors who build confidence, character, and community. Your investment in coaching endowments helps McDaniel attract and retain exceptional leaders who guide our student-athletes to excel — in competition and in life.

Support Coaching Endowments

Athletics Coaching Investments

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Coaches are among the most influential figures in a student-athlete’s life, inspiring pride, character, and leadership that extend far beyond the field or court. In addition to facility upgrades, the college is seeking resources to enhance its athletics programs through investments in coaching.

The following are the most critical needs to build and strengthen Green Terror Athletic Coaching: 

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Head Coaching Endowment

$2,000,000
An endowed gift supplies the college with a perpetual source of income that provides the resources needed to attract and retain the nation’s top Division III head coaches. Often, the difference between an average program and one that aspires to excel at the national level is a well-supported athletic endowment. Every sport can use a head coaching endowment, including men’s and women’s basketball, football, golf, men’s soccer, women’s lacrosse, and volleyball.

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Endowed Assistant Coaching Positions

$1,000,000
Assistant coaches play a critical role in the lives of student-athletes and supporting head coaches. All student-athletes can point to an assistant coach who has had influence in their life and college experience. A $1,000,000 gift can provide full funding for an assistant coaching position. The endowment allows the college to keep assistant coaches longer through a consistent funding stream.

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Upgrading Grad Assistants to Assistant Coaches

$50,000/Assistant
The ability to upgrade graduate assistants to assistant coaches in six sports has a transformative effect on the teams. It allows the college to retain graduate assistants who have proven their worth and promote them to assistant coaches. A $50,000 gift can help a sport to provide an additional $10,000 annually over a five-year period to a worthy grad assistant to stay on as an assistant coach post-graduation.

Why it Matters

A competitive, well-supported coaching staff elevates the success and visibility of all athletic programs, while endowed positions ensure long-term stability while strengthening the relationships between athletes and their mentors.

Track Renovation

Leave Your Legacy on the Hill.

Every lap on McDaniel’s new track represents growth, determination, and community pride. From naming opportunities to facility enhancements, your support strengthens our student-athletes’ experience and invites future generations to envision themselves competing as Green Terrors.

Explore Track Naming Opportunities

Take a Lap Around the New Track

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As announced during the 2024 Homecoming pregame celebration, construction of McDaniel’s bold new track has finally come to completion. Brandishing our signature green-and-gold stripes, the updated facility is able to host track and field competitions for the first time in years — now with improved safety and a design that reflects McDaniel’s pride in its student-athletes.

The renovations additionally grant McDaniel the opportunity to invite K-12 students to organize club meetings on the Hill, creating space for young runners to envision their futures competing as Green Terror athletes. We are proud to showcase our identity through our brand-new track for the benefit of the student-athletes, the city of Westminster, and the greater Carroll County community.

The dedication of the Dr. Richard A. Clower ’50 Track took place prior to the 2025 Homecoming football game. Members of McDaniel’s men’s and women’s track and field teams also took part in a ceremonial lap around the track.

 

Why it Matters

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Opens the Hill to local schools and athletes, strengthening ties across Carroll County.

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A modern surface ensures better conditions for student-athletes and community members.

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A visually striking, branded facility becomes a key recruitment tool for future Green Terrors.

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Hosting meets on campus reenergizes pride and visibility for McDaniel Athletics.

START YOUR GIFT CONVERSATION

Naming Opportunities

Supporting the improvements to our track and field allows donors to drive recruitment and community engagement, improving McDaniel’s visibility as a college that changes lives through safe and spirited althetic competition.

  • Jumping Facility: $150,000
  • Record Board: $100,000
  • Common Finish Line: $50,000
  • Track Lanes: $50,000 per lane
  • Steeplechase Pit: $25,000
  • Starting Lines: $10,000 per line
  • Donor Wall: $10,000

Named funds may be established in honor or memory of a beloved family member, faculty member, classmate, or yourself — making it possible for every donor to leave a lasting legacy of learning.

A large group of students running on the renovated track.
A line of students on the renovated track.
Drone image of the football field.
The renovated track.
A low-angle of students running on the renovated track.
Three students running on the renovated track.
A student running on the renovated track.
Track dedication and ribbon cutting.
Students painting Greek letters in the grass in front of the track.
Students performing hurdles on the track.
A group of students running on the renovated track.
The McDaniel Green Terror sign in front of the football field.
Aerial View of the football field and renovated track.
Two students running on the renovated track.

Gill Stadium Locker Rooms

Build Pride from the Ground Up.

Your gift helps create dedicated, team-specific spaces that reflect the strength, spirit, and unity of Green Terror Athletics. With upgraded locker rooms, student-athletes can prepare, connect, and lead with confidence — both on and off the field.

Support Locker Room Upgrades

Gill Stadium Locker Rooms

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The college is excited to pursue upgrades for our Division III student-athletes at Gill Stadium with the addition of new locker units in the team rooms underneath the stadium. The teams that use Gill Stadium — football, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey — will soon benefit from team-specific, professional-grade locker rooms that will alleviate overcrowding in the Gill Center locker rooms. Starting this winter, coaches will be able to showcase these new facilities to help recruits envision themselves as valued collegiate athletes, and spring teams will begin using the space this year.

 

Why it Matters

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A dedicated, team-specific space fosters camaraderie and unity among student-athletes.
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Professional-grade facilities reinforce pride, confidence, and McDaniel’s investment in its athletes.

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Upgraded locker rooms give coaches a tangible way to show recruits that McDaniel values their athletic and academic growth.

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A stronger athletics program enhances campus pride and brings the community together on game day.

Letter from the President

Letter from the President

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Dear McDaniel Community,

I am thrilled to announce that we have now officially completed the quiet phase of McDaniel College’s Reaching New Heights comprehensive campaign, having surpassed the 80% fundraising mark, raising over $40.6 million toward our total $50 million goal! Thanks to the remarkable generosity of so many, the visible impacts — both on campus and off — are already inspiring.

Your gifts have enabled us to design and build the innovative Learning Commons @ Hoover Library, which centralizes our student-facing academic services into one convenient location. Additionally, construction has begun on state-of-the-art facilities for McDaniel’s new Nursing program, located at Carroll Hospital, as well as faculty offices in Lewis Recitation Hall for our growing Business and Economics program.

The recently completed Richard A. Clower ’50 Track at Gill Stadium and the in-progress renovations to Harvey Stone Park & Pavilion will greatly enhance our outdoor spaces for Environmental Studies majors, track athletes, and the community as a whole.

But the impact of this campaign extends far beyond the enhancement of physical spaces. As you’ll see, campaign giving has already resulted in the establishment of crucial scholarships that enable more students to experience the life-changing impact of a McDaniel education. My husband, David, and I have joined other major gift donors in supporting experiential learning opportunities for students, resulting in increased access to student-faculty summer research projects, study abroad, internships, and volunteerism.

As we launch into the public phase of our campaign, I am also excited to announce the receipt of the largest gift in the college’s history, made through the estate of Jonas Eshelman ’50. This endowment will enable us to significantly invest in academic excellence — both now and into the future.

Still, there is more transformational work ahead.

Together, we will design more cutting-edge academic spaces to deepen the learning experience for students and make an unforgettable first impression that reflects the innovation and excellence of a McDaniel education.

President Julia Jasken speaks at the 2025 McDaniel Founders Gala.
Our students are full of potential, and our aspirations for them — and for the college — should match that promise. ”

PRESIDENT JULIA JASKEN

We will establish endowed professorships in emerging growth areas. We will increase funding for facilities and coaching support within our Athletics program. And, just as importantly, we will seek increased unrestricted giving, which allows the college to respond nimbly and effectively to emerging needs and opportunities.

In addition to our philanthropic goals, we will forge 2,500 new community connections and create 500 new career connections by May 31, 2028. These goals are bold, and they should be. This is a defining moment for McDaniel. Our students are full of potential, and our aspirations for them — and for the college — should match that promise.

Thank you for being part of our journey, for believing in our mission, and for your dedication to this very special college on the hill.

With gratitude,
President Julia Jasken