Maryland Terrapins Nickname, Mascot and Football Gameday Traditions
Location: College Park, Md.
Conference: Big 10
School Colors: Red, White, Black & Gold
Fight Song: “Maryland Victory Song”
How Maryland Became the Terrapins
Since the university was consolidated from different state schools in 1920, it had lacked an identity that its supporters could comfortably hang their hat on. Initially the nickname “Old Liners” had been used, but doubts about its meaning and origination brought it to the end of the line.
Some said the term honored a troop of Maryland soldiers who fought bravely in the Revolutionary War, while others said that the “Old Liners” reflected a border squabble with Pennsylvania. Another name that at one time was used by many schools was also embraced by Maryland. The 1893 football team sported the name “Aggies” on their way to a 6-0 season.
When the suggestion rang out from Maryland football coach Dr. H.C. Byrd in 1932 that the school adopt the “Diamondbacks” as a school symbol he wasn’t accused of having snakes in his head. The Diamondback that the future university president was referring to was not a serpent, but were instead the snapping turtles he had encountered during his childhood in Crisfield Md.The turtle was already represented on campus with the student newspaper that was named
the Diamondback. The turtle soup got thicker the next year when the Class of 1933 donated a giant bronzed Diamondback to the university. When the student yearbook, The Reveille, became The Terrapin in 1935, Maryland officials were ready to stick their necks out for their new symbol.
Maryland Mascot: Testudo
Maryland’s Terrapin mascot represents the university in the form of a bronze statue and a costumed character. The statue as discussed earlier arrived during the Great Depression while the more mobile mascot first stalked the sidelines in the 1970s.
While large in stature, the 300-pound Testudo was a constant target of rival fans. His location in front of the school’s Richie Coliseum offered pranksters easy access and the turtle’s golden skin was painted enemy colors. Without notifying Maryland officials, a group of Johns Hopkins abducted the mascot in 1947, nearly causing a riot in the process. When an effort was made to retrieve the statue, 200 police were alerted to the Baltimore campus to control the situation.
Despite not having an appetite for grass, Testudo was discovered on the lawn of a University
of Virginia fraternity house. The frat members called Maryland President Dr. H.C. Byrd and
told him to get the turtle off their lawn. After the incident Testudo was packed away in the
campus carpentry shop for safe keeping. In an effort to curb the statue from gaining frequent
flyer miles, 700 pounds of cement were added to the Testudo’s base.
Maryland Gameday Traditions
“Get Your Keys Out”
Students jingle their keys rather than cheer to keep the noise down on important offensive plays for the Maryland football team.
“Move Those Chains”
When the team makes a first down, fans remind the sideline chain gang of what they need to
do, beginning with a long loud “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”, followed by three “Move Those Chains!,” while UM fans give the first down signal.