5 Things Even Die-Hard Fans Don’t Know About The Maryland Terps

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The University of Maryland is one of the state’s best schools. Alongside academics, the Maryland Terrapins represent the university’s image immensely. We’ve found a few fun facts about the Terps that even many loyal fans don’t know, so here are five tidbits about Maryland’s favorite collegiate sports teams.

The Founder Of Under Armour Was A Terp

The University of Maryland (UMD) has close ties with Under Armour because of Kevin Plank, the clothing company’s founder. Plank played football as a walk-on fullback and special teams captain for the Maryland Terps.

Due to Plank’s former involvement with the football team, Under Armour is the primary provider of sports uniforms for the University of Maryland. The colors and designs on Under Armour’s uniforms are usually quite distinct, with outfits that focus on the Maryland flag’s unique colors.

Under Armour and UMD are close collaborators, and that will likely remain the same for years to come, especially since the global headquarters for Under Armour is located in Baltimore.

The Terrapin Statue Was Stolen A Dozen Times

Everyone knows that the mascot for the University of Maryland is a terrapin, but what you may not be aware of is that it has a name. The diamondback terrapin representing UMD is called Testudo, and it even has statues on the campus.

Testudo has been the mascot since the 1930s, so unfortunately, there have been plenty of chances for troublemakers to steal its statue. Between 1933 and 1948, the bronze Testudo statue was stolen 12 times, often by rival schools.

Eventually, the bronze Testudo statue would gain more protection to secure it in place on campus, but it took quite a few thefts before that solution came to fruition.

Testudo’s Body Is Stored In The University Archives

Testudo isn’t just a statue; it was once a live animal. Even in the modern day, Testudo is preserved in the University Archives at the University of Maryland, and it’s reportedly only seen on rare occasions.

The taxidermied terrapin was used as a model while creating the iconic statue in 1933, and it’s still an icon nearly a century later. Diamondback terrapins are special animals, but they hold a particularly important place in the hearts of Marylanders.

In 2033, the Testudo statue will have its 100th birthday.

Queen Elizabeth II Attended Her First College Football Game At The University Of Maryland

Oct. 19, 1957, marked the day that Queen Elizabeth II attended her first collegiate football game, along with Prince Philip. The match played on this date is often referred to as the “Queen’s Game” due to her visit, and the University of Maryland website even offers a webpage about it.

Queen Elizabeth II had an interest in attending a traditional American sporting event, and UMD was the location chosen for her visit. The Maryland Terps went head-to-head against the North Carolina Tar Heels, with the Terps defeating the Tar Heels in the end.

The Maryland Terrapins proved their skill in the Queen’s Game, offering up quite the performance that their royal guest likely wouldn’t soon forget.

The Terps Helped End Segregation In Collegiate Football

The Maryland Terps were one of the leading college football teams in ending segregation in collegiate sports. Darryl Hill became the first Black athlete to join the Terps in 1963, and his introduction was a major turning point for sports at that level.

After Hill joined the Terps, segregation in football began to end on campuses across the southern part of the country. As the first school in the Atlantic Coast Conference to end segregation, the University of Maryland had a huge impact on racial equality in collegiate football.

Darryl Hill’s legacy is so notable that the football training center at UMD was named the Jones-Hill House. The name also pays respect to Billy Jones, a Black basketball player who joined UMD’s team in the 1960s.

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