UMD: University To Honor Billy Jones And Darryl Hill, Two Athletic And Social Justice Trailblazers

Press release from University of Maryland - College Park:

April 27, 2021

  COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Jones broke the color barrier in basketball at Maryland and the ACC in 1965 and Hill was the first Black student-athlete to play football at Maryland and in the ACC in 1963.  The entire Cole Field House project -- which will eventually include a research wing and entrepreneurship center -- would not have been possible without the support of donors -- notably a generous leadership gift from Kevin Plank, the founder and Executive Chairman of Under Armour.  Plank’s support of this project made this honorific naming possible. In fact, it was his idea to forego the opportunity to put his own name on this facility to honor these two trailblazers. That kind of visionary leadership and selflessness demonstrates Plank’s deep commitment not just to his alma mater, but to social justice.  Jones-Hill House will be the new home for the football performance center, and the new home for football operations - including coaching offices, team meeting spaces, locker room, and dining facility - and indoor and outdoor football practice fields. The state-of-the-art facility also features world-class strength, conditioning, and hydrotherapy facilities, advanced physical assessment, and diagnostic technology and embraces a holistic performance approach, including career and nutrition support. “It is an honor for me and my family to be able to name the Jones-Hill House at my alma mater,” said Plank. “What began as a financial gift grew to something much more meaningful last summer as my wife and fellow Terp, DJ, and I considered how we could positively influence the conversation around social justice.  Honoring these two trailblazers by naming our facility with Billy Jones and Darryl Hill is fitting for our school and for all of the student athletes and entrepreneurs who will walk the halls of this House for many years to come.” Maryland Athletic Director Damon Evans recognized the special day, acknowledging the everlasting impact Jones and Hill made on Maryland.  "Jones-Hill House is a fitting tribute to two men who were heroic trailblazers in Billy Jones and Darryl Hill," said Evans. “We are excited to honor them with a permanent reminder of the impact they made on all of Maryland Athletics and the world of collegiate sports.  We would also like to thank Kevin Plank for not only his generosity, but for challenging us to reconsider how we should honor legacy here at the University and frankly, at every educational institution across the country."   Jones debuted for the Terps on December 1, 1965, against Penn State, becoming the first Black men’s basketball scholarship player to play in a game with the Terps. He served as a team captain in his senior year of 1967-68. Jones went on to be an assistant coach at American, UC-Santa Barbara and Stanford and head coach at UMBC for 12 seasons. Following his coaching career, he went to work in human resources at Lockheed and Tupperware and as a manager for cast services at Walt Disney World for 15 years before retiring in 2011.  “I am absolutely elated to receive this honor,” said Jones, who is a native of East Towson, Md., and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. “My life changed when I received the phone call informing me of this recognition. It is an honor that I couldn’t even imagine. I am thrilled to be honored along with Darryl, to share it with him is very special. A trophy might break, a photograph might fade, but a building will be there for a lot of people to see. I am elated for everyone from the east side of Towson, my family, my grandchildren and my 96-year old mother who will be able to see this building with our names and what this building represents. I am so flattered and thankful for the generosity of Kevin Plank, the University of Maryland, President Darryll Pines and Damon Evans.”

This press release was produced by the University of Maryland - College Park. The views expressed here are the author’s own.