Terps mourning death of longtime booster

COLLEGE PARK — Mary Gossett, who along with her husband, Barry, was a constant presence at Maryland athletic events for nearly a half-century and a longtime donor to the athletic department and university, died Monday, the university announced.

Calling her “a gracious presence and fervent supporter,” university president Wallace D. Loh said in a statement, “Mary's passing brings great sadness to this campus and to the many lives she touched. … We will miss Mary deeply.”

The Gossetts, whose names adorn the football team house that their $10 million donation helped build, recently committed another $21.25 million for the creation of a Center for Academic and Personal Excellence for the school’s student-athletes.

Interim football coach Matt Canada opened his Tuesday news conference with words about Mary Gossett.

“Our thoughts are with the Gossett family,” Canada said. “The loss of Maryland is certainly something that is a tremendous loss for our entire university and for our program. ... Another grieving situation. She loved Maryland football, and she loved our players.”

In a statement, athletic director Damon Evans said: “We are overcome with sadness to learn of the passing of Mary Gossett. Mary has been ingrained in the fabric of the University of Maryland and our athletic department for more than 45 years, bettering the lives of generations of student-athletes through her largerthan-life spirit and selfless generosity. While we will no longer stand witness to Mary cheering our student-athletes from Mary Gossett the sidelines, her impact will be felt for years to come.”

The Gossetts have been members of the Terrapin Club since 1971 and regularly traveled together to road games and postseason tournaments for the Terps.

“It’s a sad day for the entire University of Maryland community,” former Maryland quarterback and color analyst Scott McBrien said. I was fortunate enough to have gotten to know Mary Gossett during my time at Maryland. I will always remember Mary as the First Lady of Maryland Football.”