| Distribution
wasn't too difficult as The Rebounders only boasted seventeen
members when that premiere issue was written. I wasn't on that
first roster; I didn't join up until the season was well underway.
The
Rebounder's second season saw several changes. We were officially
recognized as an organization at the University. We had to adopt
by-laws which required the group to deposit fees and funds targeted
for the women's basketball program into the Maryland Educational
Foundation, and we had to elect officers to serve on the Executive
Committee (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and
student representative). I'd forgotten this over the years, but
it happens that yours truly was the first student representative
to be chosen as one of the officers.
This
season also marked the beginning of the Rebounders having planned
tailgate parties during home football games. Not only did it serve
as an excuse to join in the festivities, but it also gave fans
and players (and recruits) a chance to get to know one another.
We staked out our claim at the end of Lot 1 near Byrd stadium…
as a result many of the football fans had to note the support
for women's basketball as they made their way to the stadium to
watch the game.
Another
of the changes was that production of The Rebounder newsletter
was transferred from the coaching staff to the booster club. One
of our first items of business was to revamp the look a bit. Sue
Gorsuch gave me the materials she had on hand and off I went to
see what I could do. Remember, this is back in the day when typewriters
were still at their height and personal computers were pricey
and barely useful toys — so there was going to be some work
involved. The logo used by The Rebounders today is the one I designed.
 |
Ed.
note --- The four pre-season poles in 1982 show AP and Sports
Illustrated had Maryland 6th, Street and Smith had them 7th
and Women'sSports had them 9th. No other ACC team was mentioned. |
 |
The
'New Logo' mock-up sketch circa 1983 |
Sue
told me that the Terp drawing is from the talents of player Monica
Gannon. Though I had to do a lot of redrawing and re-inking to
bring the materials Sue gave me (multi-generational copies of
what looked like the original drawing) up to production quality,
I can in no way take credit for the turtle-with-attitude. The
rest of the design was me. The main lettering was inked in professionally
by a friend of The Rebounder's president, Mary Lucas, following
my mock-up. (Mary Lucas was the Rebounders first president)
Being that I was starting my first career, as a sports photographer,
I wanted to include photos and other graphics in the newsletter,
but at the time there was no way to do this economically. Today,
you'd just use a laser printer, but then it required going into
the darkroom, using line screen on lith film, and then finding
a high resolution copier… not exactly cost-effective. A
couple of issues with makeshift covers went out as many tests
were done to try to exploit the full potential of the new design.
Unfortunately, none of this prep work bore fruit. Finally, the
new logo made its way onto the Vol. 2 No. 3 newsletter... as just
the logo on an otherwise plain coversheet — sigh.
During these early newsletters, I also conducted a number of interviews
with players and coaches. Of course there was more to The Rebounders
than just the newsletter. We helped raise money for the team to
get necessary video gear; as a group, we went on many road trips
with the team throughout the seasons; and after select home games
we would have socials where the team and the boosters could mingle
and share in some refreshments. At the end of the season these
activities culminated with the Annual Banquet where the team was
thanked and recognized.
As I was increasingly following my sports photography (especially
after graduation), I became decreasingly involved with the inner-circle
of Maryland women's basketball, and by 1990 had moved well outside
the area, limiting my presence to email. Still, I'm happy to see
that The Rebounders are still a presence. Go Terps!
 |
The
cover that was planned but never happened because DTP was
still a few years away. (l-r) Monica Gannon, Zaga"
Pocekovic, Dorothy Smith Picture
© 1983 Richard Carter Jr
|
|
Moments
from a 1984 Social
Ed...
Rebounders should be able to recognise at least a couple
of these people.
|
 |
return
to top
|
