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Doors will open at 4 p.m. for the event and the program runs from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $75 per person or $500 for a table of eight.
In addition to Coach Williams, both men's head coach Clifford Reed Jr. and women's head coach Fred Batchelor will also give previews of the coming season for their squads. Back for a second year is WMDT Chanel 47 ABC Sports' Travon Miles, who will serve as the emcee.
"We think this will be a fantastic event," said Reed. "It's a great night for the community, our fans and our alumni to get together and just dive into basketball. There will be some great stories, some great advice and a chance to meet the young men and women who make up our program. I hope the entire Eastern Shore can embrace what we are doing in Princess Anne and that all those who can make it will come out and enjoy this special night."
Williams, who is no stranger to basketball fans in the state of Maryland, was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in August of 2014. He was inducted in July of the same year in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the first coach in history to enter both in the same year. Williams won the National Championship with the University of Maryland in 2002, highlighting a 22-year stint with the Terrapins. His run included 14 NCAA Tournament berths in his final 18 seasons, seven Sweet Sixteen appearances, a pair of Final Fours and two ACC Coach of the year honors.
He hung up the whistle with an all-time record of 461-252 at Maryland, becoming their all-time winningest coach. A 1968 graduate of College Park, Williams had stops Lafayette, Boston College, American and Ohio State. He retired from coaching in 2011 and still serves his alma mater as the Senior Managing Director for Alumni Relations and Athletic Development.
During his time at Maryland, Williams coached NBA standouts Juan Dixon, Steve Blake, Steve Francis, Lonny Baxter, Terence Morris, Chris Wilcox, Byron Mouton, Steve Francis. Greivis Vasquez, Walt Williams, Keith Booth and more including last year's tip-off dinner guest speaker Joe Smith. Williams recruited the Eastern Shore as well, mentoring former Crisfield High School standout Andre Collins who was on the National Championship team at Maryland before finishing out his collegiate career at Loyola (Md.) and then playing overseas for several seasons.
"The event is a great night for Hawk Basketball," said Batchelor. It is a chance for the supporters, alumni, ticket holders and basketball fans to gather together and get excited about our upcoming seasons. A legend like Coach Williams will only help build on the energy that the start of the season brings. We are grateful for his willingness to be here at the event to lend his advice, his stories and his time. This is a can't miss event for basketball fans on the Shore and supporters of our men's and women's programs."
Tickets are on sale now at www.umestickets.com and all proceeds go to benefit Hawk Basketball. Donations can be made by logging on to www.easternshorehawks.com and clicking donate now.
Event sponsorship is also available, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 dollars. Contact G. Stan Bradley, Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs at 410-651-6499 or gsbradley@umes.edu.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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