There’s nothing quite like Maryland Game Day. At times, over 50,000 people have packed the stands in Byrd Stadium to see the Terps play. A sea of red, white and gold. It was Harry “Curley” Byrd, for whom Byrd stadium is named, who originally suggested that the university adopt the Diamondback terrapin as its mascot. For 78 years now, Testudo has served as a strong symbol of Maryland pride.
Don’t let his playful antics fool you, Testudo is a force to be reckoned with, and we would be lost without his nose to rub for good luck before each game. On game day, fans young and old flood the campus, but the largest support can be found in the student section, where you can hear the victory song being sung loud and proud after every Terrapin score.
And over the years other traditions have developed. Maryland football just wouldn’t be the same without Keith Moore, (whom students know as “Special K”), or The Mighty Sound of Maryland (the university marching band) pumping up the crowd.
I hope that you all enjoy my ‘Maryland Game Day’ video, whether you are a current Terp, alum or simply a fan. The football season may be over, but there are still so many reasons to FEAR THE TURTLE!
What is your favorite part of Maryland game day? Comment below or tweet your stories to myself and College Magazine @Jocelyn_Rubin and @CollegeMag #UMDGameDay. Think you have amazing game day traditions at your university? Send us your video to [email protected] and we’ll post it on College Magazine!
From the Senior: Suiting Up
