Business & Tech

Maryland Students Get Free T-Shirts in Honor of Lederer

Columbia-based Nightmare Graphics donated 4,000 'Zaching' T-shirts at today's University of Maryland men's basketball game.

During Sunday's University of Maryland versus University of Virginia basketball game, spectators in the student section received special T-shirts in honor of one of their own.

Nightmare Graphics, a Columbia-based screenprinter, donated 4,000 red limited-edition T-shirts that depict the now famous "Zaching" pose, a gesture made originally by Maryland freshman Zach Lederer as he recuperated from brain cancer surgery in late January.

The Centennial High School graduate is one of the basketball team's student managers.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Lederer at the time said that, while slightly drugged up, he struck the pose to let family members and friends know that he was OK and they shouldn't worry about him.

Since the original photo went viral, people from across the world —including elected leaders, actors, athletes, law enforcement officers and the guy or girl next-door — have stuck the pose and posted the pictures online in support of Lederer.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Today, red T-shirts adorned with a graphic interpretation of the Zaching pose and the phrase "Zaching Against Cancer" will be given to all spectators in the student section when they gather for the game against the Cavaliers.

While Nightmare is donating the shirts to the students, the company is also producing two shirts available for retail purchase.

The gray shirts are available in two models — one with a blue and green design that represents global Zaching, and one with a portion of the Maryland flag that represents local Zaching.

The shirts cost $18 each and proceeds will benefit the Zaching Against Cancer Foundation established by the Lederer family.

Nightmare officials heard about Lederer and approached the family with the idea of the shirts, according to marketing manager Leticia Henry.

"We saw the story about Zach and were really moved," she said. "We found him on Facebook and sent a message with the copy of the design we proposed, and offered to make a shirt for free for students."

The family liked the concept, and agreed to let the local business produce items to raise money for the foundation, Henry said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here