Gold Medal-Winning Terps Named Homecoming Grand Marshals

This Homecoming, Terps can celebrate their Maryland pride with red, white, black and a little extra gold.

Triple jumper Thea LaFond-Gadson ’15, who won the first Olympic gold medal for her home country of Dominica in this summer’s Paris Olympics, and basketball player Alyssa Thomas ’14, who helped Team USA reach the top of the podium for the eighth straight time, will serve as Homecoming grand marshals. Back for the first time in over a decade, the honorary position invites notable alums, leaders and other dignitaries to act as points of pride and inspiration for the UMD community during the week of festivities.

The two champions join an esteemed list of past grand marshals, including Muppets creator Jim Henson ’60, Kermit the Frog and Sweetums (1979), former Maryland Gov. Harry Hughes ’49 (1985) and fellow Olympian gymnast Dominique Dawes ’02 (2003).

“You think about what Homecoming really is, and how it’s the melting pot and true welcome back of generations,” LaFond-Gadson said. “To be the symbol of that and to know that it’ll be a time of joy and happiness on campus, it’s really special.”

LaFond-Gadson, who moved to Maryland at age 7, starred on the field at UMD, setting the highest women’s triple jump score in program history (44-02.75) and several other top-five finishes across jump and hurdle events. She was named an All-American and the 2015 Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year.

Professionally, her career highlights include earning silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and bronze in 2018. In March, she won the triple jump title at the 2024 World Indoor Championships, posting a then-national record of 15.01 meters to become the first title holder representing the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. That put her in prime position for Paris, where she leapt to a mark of 15.02 meters to earn her country’s first Olympic medal.

“It was a bit surreal,” she said. “You make this plan, and you go in and you end up executing this plan, and you get not only a great outcome, but the best possible outcome in the world. It took a while for it to even hit.”

Thomas, who played for the Terps from 2010-14, is UMD’s all-time leader in scoring with 2,356 career points and 1,235 rebounds. She was an All-American and three-time ACC Player of the Year, leading Maryland to the 2012 ACC Championship and 2014 Final Four.

She was drafted by the New York Liberty with the fourth overall pick in 2014 and was traded to the Connecticut Sun, where she has played 11 seasons. She’s a five-time WNBA All-Star, including in 2024. Her success on the court led her to become UMD’s first U.S. Olympian in women's basketball since legend Vicky Bullett ’90, averaging 3.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in Paris. She and Team USA edged France, 67-66, to take gold.

“This has been one of the most memorable years of my life, and serving as grand marshal at my alma mater is another milestone that I always cherish,” Thomas said. “I can’t wait to be back in College Park for a memorable weekend.”

After becoming the 10th and 11th gold medalists in UMD history—marking the first time two Maryland grads won gold in the same Olympics—LaFond-Gadson and Thomas will inspire Terp pride back home. LaFond-Gadson will help build excitement for the festivities at Friday night’s football game vs. Northwestern, then will kick off Terp Carnival on McKeldin Mall’s main stage on Oct. 18. Amid live music, games, prizes and food, fans can snag an autograph and a free scoop of the limited-edition Maryland Dairy ice cream flavor she selected: vanilla with cookie dough and Oreo pieces, chocolate fudge swirl and a splash of rum.

Thomas, who will be inducted into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 on Oct. 18, will be recognized on the football field the following day during the Terps’ Homecoming matchup vs. new Big Ten foe USC and will participate in the coin toss.

“We are thrilled to welcome home Alyssa and Thea to serve as Grand Marshals for the University of Maryland Homecoming this year,” said Damon Evans, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics. “To have them back on campus as Olympic gold medalists is extra special. Each of them has represented their alma mater with the utmost pride on the international stage. In 2024, it has extra meaning for them to serve as grand marshals, one of the most distinguished honorary positions at Maryland.”