| Mary
Lucas
by
Marilyn O'Brien and Mary Lucas
In 1979, former Maryland women’s basketball coach Chris Weller gathered a small group of fans to discuss the formation of a booster club: Emory Harman, John Nevros, a married couple whose names are forgotten, and Mary Lucas. A 1979 entry in an old check book register Mary found showed a $25 check written to the ‘University of Maryland Rebounders’ is proof that the meeting was a success. The booster club thus began and the name, The Rebounders, suggested by Mary, was chosen.
Mary was delighted to be a part of the exciting program being launched by Chris Weller. Her devotion to the Terrapins began in the mid-1950s when she attended the University where she participated in the College of Health, Physical Education & Recreation basketball “interest group” coached by Martha Haverstick that competed against several schools in the area. Prior to intercollegiate play, this activity offered the only way to play competitive basketball. Mary had played varsity basketball at the Academy of Notre Dame in Washington, DC.
By the beginning of Title IX in the early ‘70s, Mary was teaching and coaching at Bladensburg High School and attended the Maryland women’s games as often as possible. She, with fellow teacher and friend Jeanne Currie Welch often went to Preinkert Field House to watch Coach Dottie McKnight and the Lady Terps.
In 1975, Coach Weller took over as head coach and built a program leading to national prominence. When Maryland made it to the AIAW Final Four in Los Angeles in 1978, Mary was determined to be there to see her team win the national championship. Her father arranged a last-minute flight and Mary called assistant coach Monica Rogers Merkel to let her know she would be on a late flight with several other fans. Assistant coach Martha Hastings met them at the airport with a van! In the semifinal victory over Wayland Baptist, Maryland starter Jane Zivalich suffered a season-ending injury and Mary felt that was the reason for the Terps’ loss to UCLA in the final. There would be no national championship that year.
But Maryland was on the map and, after establishing this nationally recognized program, Coach Weller decided the time was right to officially organize The Rebounders. In 1983, about 20 people gathered for a picnic, the formal structure for the group was set up, and its first officers were elected: President – Mary Lucas Vice President – John Nevros (Lifetime Rebounder, now deceased)Secretary – Diana Lahm (Lifetime Rebounder & current season ticket holder)Treasurer – Emory Harman (Lifetime Rebounder & current season ticket holder). Just a couple weeks later, John Nevros resigned his office but promised his continued support and input. The slot was filled by Angela Domanico, who still works for the University.
Mary’s backing for The Rebounders and the Maryland program never wavered. In fact, in these early years, there was an opportunity to become a Lifetime member for $200. Mary had already sent in her $10 membership for that year, but eagerly sent in the additional $190! About twelve others did the same thing. Her strong support for the women’s program continues to this very day. She wears her Terp colors proudly, cheers with Jeanne Welch’s family from seats in Section 101, and travels with the team as much as possible. Mary has watched the team through its ups and downs, but she is always rooting for her alma mater. Mary, from the very beginning, has been a true Rebounder and exemplifies what a booster club member can be.
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