PROJECT MISSION

Honor the Life and Legacy: Celebrate Shirley and Howard Matthews Sr's impact on Gwynn Park's basketball legacy and the Brandywine community.

Unify Alumni: Bring past GPHS players and students together to celebrate our rich history.

Inspire the Future: Motivate current and future GPHS students to achieve greatness.

Out of 250-plus Maryland public high schools, Gwynn Park stands alone with:

22 state title appearances; 10 state championships. 

Three GPHS players set and still hold state tournament individual records:

• Earl Hawkins: 31 rebounds (1970)
• Shorty Simmons: 34 points (1968)
• Mark Clark: 36 points (1976)

Tubby Smith: Over 640 career wins, led Kentucky to the 1998 NCAA Championship, and made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances with five programs. Multiple-time National Coach of the Year.

Lou Wilson: 750+ high school wins, state titles at Douglass and Largo High School, and two national titles at Riverdale Baptist. Coached the 2014 McDonald’s All-American Game and earned NACA Coach of the Year honors.

Van Johnson, Jr.: Co-created Nike EYBL Peach Jam and served on McDonald’s All-American and NBA Top 100 Camp selection committees.

Julian Peterson: Former NFL linebacker. Five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. Drafted 16th overall in 2000, Peterson played 11 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions.

Neil Greenberger: Award-winning journalist who spent over 20 years at The Washington Post as a reporter and editor, specializing in sports coverage. 

A seasoned storyteller with over 15 years of experience in content creation at Amazon and Capital One. Specializes in compelling narratives, audience engagement, and data-driven insights. His directorial approach blends authenticity, historical depth, and innovative storytelling techniques.

An experienced media professional with expertise in production, international licensing, and digital marketing. Holds a documentary filmmaking certificate from The Documentary Center at George Washington University. She has led award-winning productions and collaborated with a diverse range of clients in leadership roles at Rising Night Productions and Henninger Media Services.

Everett Ray – Director of Photography

An award-winning cinematographer and editor with a diverse portfolio spanning music videos, interviews, and commercial productions through Offbuck Films. Known for his dynamic visual storytelling and ability to craft compelling cinematic experiences.

Justin Luther – Narrator

Voice actor whose projects include Bleacher Report (celebrating LeBron James' 40th birthday), a Kansas City Chiefs 2024 NFL Playoffs commercial, and voicing Optimus Primal in Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom on Netflix.

Jeremy Zunk – Sound Mixer

An Emmy-nominated sound mixer with experience across major networks and streaming platforms, including HBO, ESPN, and Netflix. Skilled in capturing high-quality audio in extreme conditions, from war zones in Afghanistan to interviews surrounded by honeybees.

Dion Dove – Consultant

A graduate of the New York Film Academy and former ESPN production assistant. Directed and produced short independent films, including I Ain’t Sayin’ Isshhh and Stay Tuned.

Evan Sevilla – Post-Production Consultant

A Los Angeles-based video editor with extensive experience in post-production for major brands such as Google, Amazon, and BigThink. Specializes in documentaries, social campaigns, and live events, ensuring a polished and compelling final product.

We suggest a minimum donation of $100, however regardless of the amount, all donations are greatly appreciated. 

You can share the fundraising campaign on social media, email it to friends and family, or reach out to other Gwynn Park alumni who might want to contribute. 

Tickets for the Black and Gold Carpet Event will be available for preorder during the trailer release.