Maryland Basketball Coalition Aims to Reunite Alumni

Former players Dave Neal and Matt Raydo launch nonprofit to support current Terps program

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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More than 100 former Maryland men's basketball players and their families returned to College Park on Feb. 21 for the public launch of the Maryland Basketball Coalition, a nonprofit formed by ex-Terps Dave Neal and Matt Raydo. The goal is to reunite past players, coaches and staff to strengthen the current team and program.

Why it matters

The coalition's launch marks an effort to rebuild the Maryland basketball community and provide more alumni support for the current team and coaching staff. With the program facing recent challenges, the coalition hopes to reignite Maryland pride and help the Terps regain their past success.

The details

Neal and Raydo formed the nonprofit after discussing how alumni could have a more active role in supporting today's Maryland basketball program. The coalition aims to ease the burden on the coaching staff, build up an alumni presence, and help athletic director Jim Smith and head coach Buzz Williams 'turn Maryland athletics and Maryland basketball back to the kind of pedestal that it once was.' The large turnout for the Feb. 21 game against Washington, with about 75 alumni attending a practice and observing film sessions, was seen as a strong start.

  • The Maryland Basketball Coalition publicly launched on February 21, 2026.
  • The coalition's first major event was during the Terps' 64-60 win against Washington on February 21, 2026.

The players

Dave Neal

A former Maryland basketball player who co-founded the Maryland Basketball Coalition with Matt Raydo to reunite past players, coaches and staff to support the current Terps program.

Matt Raydo

A former Maryland basketball player who co-founded the Maryland Basketball Coalition with Dave Neal to reunite past players, coaches and staff to support the current Terps program.

Jim Smith

The athletic director at the University of Maryland who has welcomed the Maryland Basketball Coalition initiative and helped coordinate events with the group.

Buzz Williams

The current head coach of the Maryland men's basketball team, who has also welcomed the Maryland Basketball Coalition's efforts to support the program.

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What they’re saying

“The ultimate vision for it is to bring back Maryland basketball alumni. That's former coaches, former players, former managers, pretty much everyone who wore the Maryland jersey shirts across their chest.”

— Dave Neal, Co-founder, Maryland Basketball Coalition (GlennClarkRadio)

“With cooperation and working closely with Jim Smith and the athletic department, I think this thing could be very special for Maryland basketball and Maryland alumni moving forward.”

— Dave Neal, Co-founder, Maryland Basketball Coalition (GlennClarkRadio)

“Buzz is a winner. You can look at his record. He wins a lot of games. He takes teams to NCAA Tournaments.”

— Dave Neal, Co-founder, Maryland Basketball Coalition (GlennClarkRadio)

What’s next

The Maryland Basketball Coalition plans to continue hosting events and reunions to bring more former players, coaches and staff back to campus to support the current Terps program.

The takeaway

The launch of the Maryland Basketball Coalition marks an important effort to rebuild the program's alumni community and provide more support for the current team and coaching staff. By reuniting past Terps, the coalition hopes to reignite Maryland pride and help the program regain its past success and prominence.