Maryland Terrapins

The Maryland Terrapins
University	University of Maryland
Conference(s)	Atlantic Coast Conference
NCAA	Division I
Athletics director	Kevin Anderson
Location	College Park, MD
Varsity teams	27
Football stadium	Byrd Stadium
Basketball arena	Comcast Center
Baseball stadium	Shipley Field
Mascot	Testudo
Nickname	Terps
Fight song	"Fight, Fight, Fight for Maryland!", "Maryland Victory Song"
Colors	Red, White, Black, and Gold.
Homepage	www.umterps.com

The Maryland Terrapins, commonly referred to as the Terps, consist of 27 men's and women's athletic teams that represent the University of Maryland, College Park in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I competition. Maryland became a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1952, and is now a Football Bowl Subdivision program in football.

The nickname was coined in 1932 by Dr. Harry C. "Curley" Byrd, then the school's football coach and later the school's president. Previously, Maryland teams were known as the "Old Liners"--a reference to the state's nickname, "The Old Line State." However, the school newspaper, The Diamondback, wanted a better nickname. Byrd thought "Terrapins" was a good choice because of the diamondback terrapins endemic to the Chesapeake Bay region. Byrd's hometown of Crisfield was famous for the number of terrapins along its shores.^[1] The school mascot is an anthropomorphic turtle named "Testudo". The official team colors are red, white, black, and gold, derived from the Maryland state flag.

History

The University of Maryland, College Park was established in 1856 as Maryland Agricultural College. Baseball and football were played on the campus as early as the Civil War era.^[2] It was renamed Maryland State College in 1916, and in 1920, merged with the state's professional schools in Baltimore to become the University of Maryland. Between 1921 and 1953, the university was a member of the Southern Conference.

Longstanding tensions within the Southern Conference culminated in 1951, when it passed a ban on participation in bowl games midway through the football season. At the end of the regular season, both Maryland and Clemson were invited and accepted invitations to postseason bowl games. The Southern Conference sanctioned the two schools with a one-year probation in which they could not schedule any football games against conference opponents.^[3] On May 8, 1953, Maryland became a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) when it and six other schools voted to split from the Southern Conference.^[4][5]

The school's sports teams are referred to as the Terrapins, and the university mascot is a diamondback terrapin named Testudo. The school's athletic colors are red, white, black, and gold, derived from the colors of the state flag. The university currently sponsors varsity athletic teams in 27 men's and women's sports, which compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I level. As of December 2010, Maryland's athletic teams have been awarded 38 national championships by the NCAA, USILA, AIAW, and NCA.^[6]

Men's basketball

Main article: Maryland Terrapins men's basketball

Burton Shipley was Maryland's first and longest serving basketball coach, but his lengthy tenure from 1923 to 1947 was described as "remarkably quiet".^[7] At that time, the sport was not widely popular in the mid-Atlantic region and football and boxing were much better drawing spectator sports on the Maryland campus. To capitalize on the popularity, basketball games at Ritchie Coliseum were held as doubleheaders with boxing matches for 26 years.^[8] Bud Millikan became head coach in 1950 and soon led Maryland to consistent respectability within the Southern Conference.^[9] Defensive point guard Gene Shue averaged 22 points per game and his scoring record stood for two decades.^[10] In 1955, the small Ritchie Coliseum was replaced by Cole Field House centrally located on campus, and with Maryland now a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the fanbase rapidly expanded. .^[11] Millikan's tenure culminated in 1958 when Maryland won its first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.

Football

Main article: Maryland Terrapins football

An unofficial football team composed of Maryland Agricultural College students played games against local high schools in 1890 and 1891. The following year, the school lent its support, which marked the official establishment of the Maryland football program in 1892. The football team has continued to the present day with the exception of a brief hiatus in 1895. In 1894, former Maryland coach and player William W. Skinner spearheaded the formation of the Maryland Intercollegiate Football Association, which served to award the state football championship.^[12] Maryland hired D. John Markey as its first paid football coach in 1902.^[13] H. C. "Curley" Byrd, who eventually served as the university president from 1936 to 1953,^[14] began his playing career on the team in 1905.^[15] In 1911, Byrd was appointed as the head football coach, and he served in that position through 1934. During his tenure, Byrd was instrumental in growing support of the program, and in 1915 successfully requisitioned funding for the school's first stadium.^[16] In his position as university president, he was also responsible for building the school's current football facility, Byrd Stadium.

Ralph Friedgen and the Maryland football team take the field prior to the 2010 Military Bowl.

In 1945, Paul "Bear" Bryant began his long and distinguished career as a head football coach at the University of Maryland.^[17] The following year, he was replaced by Jim Tatum, a pioneer of the split T. Maryland football achieved its greatest success under Tatum, who compiled a 73–15–4 record without a single losing season, and to date, he remains the winningest Maryland coach of the modern era.^[18] NCAA recognized selectors awarded Maryland the national football championship in 1951 and 1953.^[19] During Tatum's tenure from 1946 to 1955, Maryland also secured one Southern Conference championship and two Atlantic Coast Conference championships.^[18] In 1962, Darryl Hill transferred to Maryland from the United States Naval Academy, making the school the first team in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a black player.^[20] Jerry Claiborne became head coach in 1972, and led Maryland to three consecutive ACC championships from 1974 to 1976. The Terrapins finished the 1976 regular season with an undefeated 11–0 record, but lost to Houston in the Cotton Bowl Classic, which ended national championship speculation.^[21] Bobby Ross replaced Claiborne in 1982, and he repeated the feat of three consecutive ACC championships from 1983 to 1985. In 1984, Maryland quarterback Frank Reich led the Terrapins to the then greatest halftime comeback against the defending national champions, Miami.^[22] After a long bowl game drought, Ralph Friedgen was hired as head coach in 2001, and in his first season, led Maryland to the ACC championship and its first Bowl Championship Series game appearance.^[23]

The football program has secured two NCAA-recognized national championships, nine ACC championships, two Southern Conference championships, eleven consensus All-America honors, and twenty-four bowl game appearances. Maryland possesses the third-most ACC championships with nine, which places them behind Clemson (13) and Florida State (12). Many former Terrapins players and coaches have gone on to careers in professional football including 15 first-round NFL Draft picks.^[18]

Men's lacrosse

Main article: Maryland Terrapins men's lacrosse

Varsity teams

The University of Maryland currently has 27 varsity teams: 12 men's and 15 women's.

Men

Sport	First year	Head coach	Main venue
Baseball	1893	Erik Bakich	Shipley Field
Basketball	1904	Mark Turgeon	Comcast Center
Cross Country		Andrew Valmon	Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field
Football	1892	Randy Edsall	Byrd Stadium
Golf		Tom Hanna	Maryland Golf Course
Lacrosse	1924 (varsity)	John Tillman	Byrd Stadium
Soccer	1946	Sasho Cirovski	Ludwig Field
Swimming	1956	Sean Schimmel	Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium
Tennis		Kyle Spencer	Tennis Center at College Park
Track & Field	1923	Andrew Valmon	Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field
Wrestling	1940	Kerry McCoy	Comcast Center Pavilion

Women

Sport	Head coach	Main venue
Basketball	Brenda Frese	Comcast Center
Competitive Cheer	Jarnell Bonds	Comcast Center
Cross Country	Andrew Valmon	Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field
Field Hockey	Missy Meharg	Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex
Golf	Jason Rodenhaver	Maryland Golf Course
Gymnastics	Bob Nelligan	Comcast Center Pavilion
Lacrosse	Cathy Reese	Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex
Soccer	Brian Pensky	Ludwig Field
Softball	Laura Watten	Robert E. Taylor Stadium at Terrapin Softball Complex
Swimming	Sean Schimmel	Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium
Tennis	Howard Joffe	Tennis Center at College Park
Track & Field	Andrew Valmon	Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field
Volleyball	Tim Horsmon	Comcast Center Pavilion
Water Polo	Carl Salyer	Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium

Traditions

Songs and chants

Victory Song The Maryland Victory Song was written in 1928 by Thornton W. Allen. It is played frequently during Terp Basketball and Football games. During Football games, it is played after every touchdown the Terps score, regardless of whether the team is winning or losing, celebrating the immediate victory of accomplishment. Ironically, the "Victory" song is played even after defeat. The lyrics are as follows:

Maryland we're all behind you,
Raise high the black and gold.
For there is nothing half so glorious,
As to see our team victorious.
We've got the team boys,
We've got the steam boys,
So keep on fighting, don't give in!
M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D
Maryland will win

During the M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D section of the victory song, Terrapins fans show their clenched fists, and alternate pumping them in the air, beginning with their right fist on the "M" and alternating between left and right with each letter of the MARYLAND. The motion resembles someone climbing a ladder.^[24]

Alma Mater & Fight Song Other official school songs include the school's Alma Mater and Fight Song. Each of these are played at every home football game during the pregame festivities.^[25]

"Hey, You Suck!" A popular saying among the students at Maryland is a simple "Hey, You Suck!" directed at opponents. Students have incorporated the phrase into Gary Glitter's popular sports anthem "Rock and Roll Part Two" (often referred to as the "Hey Song"). Sometime in the early 2000s, then-football coach Ralph Friedgen asked that the song not be played at football games. Friedgen had never liked hearing the song since his return to College Park in 2001, and added that it hurt his recruiting efforts.^[26] In 2004, basketball coach Gary Williams followed Friedgen's lead and asked that the song not be played at basketball games either. While he personally liked the song, complaints from a large number of parents and grandparents had led him to conclude it was too controversial.^[27] However, the students have continued to sing the song without the band's support. Before each basketball game and after every touchdown at football games, the crowd sings the song a capella.

Football and basketball

Key Plays At football games, Terp fans also shake their keys to signify urgency ("Key" Plays).^[24]

Fist Pump At the beginning of each men's basketball game, Maryland Coach Gary Williams pumps his fist to signify a good game.^[24]

Midnight Madness Midnight Madness was originally started by Maryland Head Coach Lefty Driesell in 1970. Midnight Madness is held at the earliest time the Men's Basketball Team can practice, which used to be midnight on the first day of practice. Students would attend the practice and over the years it has evolved into a circus-like atmosphere, including light shows, magic shows, the mascot trampoline challenge, skits, food, beverage, and other fanfare.

Recently, Maryland and some other schools have moved the start of Midnight Madness to earlier in the day - generally around 7 o'clock - with permission of the NCAA, of course. This is to encourage more families and fans who aren't even students to attend the event. As a result of this change, Midnight Madness has been rebranded as "Maryland Madness".^[24]

Newspaper Shaking Maryland students attempt to read the newspaper as the opposing team is being introduced. They shake the paper as the visiting team is introduced.^[24]

Other sport traditions

The Crew The Crew is an exceptionally dedicated group of Men's Soccer fans. They generally sit behind the goal the opposing team is defending and berate the opposing goalie, referring to him by formal (given) name. Members of the Crew often travel to away games to continue to support their Terps. The Crew also organize activities to join the soccer environment.^[24]

National championships

As of April 2011^[update], Maryland claims 40 national championships. Maryland was awarded a national championship by a widely recognized selector for the following seasons:

SPORT	YEAR
Football	1951, 1953
Men's basketball	2002
Men's lacrosse	1928, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1973, 1975
Men's soccer	1968, 2005, 2008
Competitive cheer	2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
Women's basketball	2006
Women's field hockey	1987, 1993, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011
Women's lacrosse	1986, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010
• = denotes co-champions Source: Terrapin Team Titles: University of Maryland National Championships[28]

Radio Network Affiliates

Terrapins Sports Radio Network

City	Call Sign	Frenquency
Baltimore, Maryland	WJZ-AM	1300 AM
Baltimore, Maryland	WJZ-FM	105.7 FM
Cambridge, Maryland	WCEM-AM	1240 AM
Cumberland, Maryland	WCMD-AM	1230 AM
Frederick, Maryland	WFMD-AM	930 AM
Hagerstown, Maryland	WARK-AM	1490 AM
Lexington Park, Maryland	WPTX-AM	1690 AM
Oakland, Maryland	WMSG-AM	1050 AM
Pocomoke City, Maryland	WGOP-AM	540 AM
Pocomoke City, Maryland	WGOP-FM	100.7 FM
Pocomoke City, Maryland	WBEY-FM	97.9 FM
Prince Frederick, Maryland	WWXT-FM	92.7 FM
Salisbury, Maryland	WTGM-AM	960 AM
Warrenton, Virginia	WWXX-FM	94.3 FM
Washington, D.C.	WTEM-AM	980 AM

See also

• University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame

References

1. ^ All About Testudo
2. ^ David Ungrady, Tales from the Maryland Terrapins, 2003, pp. 3–4, Sports Publishing LLC.
3. ^ K. Adam Powell, Border Wars: The First Fifty Years of Atlantic Coast Conference Football, p. xvi, Scarecrow Press, 2004, ISBN 0810848392.
4. ^ Seven Major Dixie Colleges Break Away From Bulky Southern Conference, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, May 9, 1953.
5. ^ Seven Southern Colleges Join New Athletic League, The Hartford Courant, June 15, 1953.
6. ^ National Championships, University of Maryland. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
7. ^ Paul McMullen, Maryland Basketball: Tales from Cole Field House, p. 2, JHU Press, 2002, ISBN 0801872219.
8. ^ Johnny Holliday, Stephen Moore, John Feinstein, Hoops Tales: Maryland Terrapins Men's Basketball, p. 149, Globe Pequot, 2006, ISBN 0762739908.
9. ^ Ungrady, p. 82.
10. ^ Catching Up With ... former Bullet Gene Shue, The Baltimore Sun, December 3, 2009.
11. ^ Holliday et al, p. 151.
12. ^ Ungrady, pp. 4–6.
13. ^ Ungrady, p. 10.
14. ^ Harry Clifton Byrd papers, University of Maryland Libraries, retrieved July 4, 2010.
15. ^ Ungrady, p. 15.
16. ^ Ungrady, p. 24.
17. ^ Football's Supercoach, Time, September 29, 1980.
18. ^ ^{a b c} Year-by-Year Results (PDF), 2008 Maryland Football Media Guide, University of Maryland, 2008.
19. ^ Past Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I FBS) National Champions, National Collegiate Athletic Association, retrieved December 1, 2008.
20. ^ Tom D'Angelo, Barriers made to be broken The Palm Beach Post, October 25, 2006.
21. ^ Cotton Bowl Foes Arrive, The New York Times, December 27, 1976.
22. ^ This Day in History November 10, 1984: Maryland gets a miracle in Miami, The History Channel, retrieved September 6, 2009.
23. ^ Terps Bowled Over by Gators; Maryland's Uplifting Season Ends With Orange Bowl Defeat, 56-23, The Washington Post, p. A01, January 3, 2002.
24. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Athletic Traditions". University of Maryland. http://www.umd.edu/traditions/athletics/. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
25. ^ "Traditional Songs". University of Maryland. http://www.umd.edu/traditions/songs/. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
26. ^ Justin Fenton (Sept. 30, 2004). "Maryland Sportsmanship Committee Reverses Decision". The Diamondback. http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/093004aao.html. 
27. ^ Justin Fenton (Oct. 1, 2004). "And The Band Didn't Play On". The Diamondback. http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/100104aaj.html. 
28. ^ "Terrapin Team Titles: University of Maryland National Championships". umterps.com. http://umterps.cstv.com/genrel/md-national-championships.html. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 

External links

• University of Maryland Official Athletics Website