The University of Maryland issues media credentials under the priorities listed below. These priorities are designed to achieve efficient use of limited space available for working members of the media at University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic events.
The University of Maryland Athletics media relations office is responsible for administering this policy. Credential requests must be made by sports editors or sports directors no later than five days prior to an event by clicking the above link. For more information, contact Associate Athletics Director-Media Relations Doug Dull at 301-314-7064 or at ddull@umd.edu.
Priorities
1. Originating radio and television personnel involved in a live television or radio broadcast of a University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competition.
2. Daily newspapers, wire services, and regional and national publications that regularly and substantially report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics.
3. Non-originating radio and television personnel producing reports on a University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competition. Only local radio stations with a full-time sports director conducting a regular and substantial sports show reporting on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics receive consideration for credentials.
4. Officially recognized University of Maryland daily student publications and daily student electronic media outlets that regularly and substantially report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics.
5. Official websites of Atlantic Coast Conference schools, non-conference opponents, and the Atlantic Coast Conference office.
6. Non-daily newspapers or publications that regularly and substantially report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics.
7. Online entities that meet the requirements set out in guideline 7, below.
Guidelines
1. Season media credentials are issued to those organizations that report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics on a regular and substantial basis, as outlined above. Issuance of season media credentials does not guarantee working space in media work areas.
2. With the exception of Terrapin beat reporters reporting on the team on a daily basis and producing daily reports, all passes are approved and issued on a game-by-game basis.
3. Except as otherwise provided for in this policy, all passes and credentials are transferable within the same media outlet for use by those serving an editorial function. Passes used by any member of a credentialed outlet without specific editorial assignment or by non-working members of the organization are subject to revocation upon University request.
4. Due to limited space and to ensure compliance with NCAA guidelines, credentials will not be issued to "free-lance" writers or photographers without a specific assignment received in writing by the assigning organization.
5. The University of Maryland and the NCAA prohibit the issuance of credentials to representatives of an organization that regularly publishes gambling information, such as "tout sheets" or "tip sheets." The University of Maryland will not issue credentials to organizations whose primary function is to deliver news related to the recruitment of student-athletes.
6. No credentials will be issued to individuals under the age of 18. Admission to media facilities are for working media only.
7. Credentials may be issued: a) to online entities that are affiliated with a national or regional media organization; or, b) to online entities that host a website that regularly and substantially reports on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics, and employs for that University of Maryland-dedicated website at least one full-time permanent employee who writes a substantial majority of all material posted on the site, and that registers a minimum of 20,000 legitimate unique users per month in each of the past 12 months.
An online entity that meets the requirements of either 7.a) or 7.b) and which sponsors message boards or chat rooms may be credentialed only if the entity enforces its policies regarding abusive or discriminatory material.
8. University personnel may deny or revoke credentials without notice and an individual shall surrender his/her credential upon request for: noncompliance with the priorities or guidelines set out in this policy; noncompliance with health, safety, or security directives issued regarding University athletic events; violations of University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, NCAA, or ACC policies; and for conduct for which there are reasonable grounds to believe violate state or federal law, or constitute a breach of professional ethics. Any organization that wishes to contest a denial or revocation shall: a) request the Media Relations Office provide a written rationale for the denial or revocation; b) submit a written response to that rationale to the Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations. After reviewing the response, the Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations, in consultation with appropriate University officials, shall issue a decision to uphold or reverse the denial or revocation. The Associate Athletic Director's decision shall be final.
9. The University of Maryland Athletics Media Relations Office reserves the right to change this policy at any time.
Credential Requests
Credential requests must be made by sports editors or sports directors online at http://www.sportssystems.com/clients/maryland/ no later than five days prior to an event. Credential requests can also be made on official letterhead from a sports editor or sports director and sent to Doug Dull, Athletics Media Relations Office, 2725 Comcast Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20741. They may also be faxed to 301-314-9094. No credential requests will be accepted by phone. Credentials will be mailed whenever possible, picked up at the Athletics Media Relations Office or picked up on game day at Media Will Call at the (football) South Gate of Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium or at the (basketball) back door in the loading dock of Comcast Center. Credentials will be sent via overnight entities (FedEx preferred) only at the expense of the requesting outlet. All persons picking up credentials will be required to furnish positive identification.
Internet Guidelines
The acceptance of media credentials is an acknowledgement of the University of Maryland's rights to the game and play-by-play coverage and an outlet's agreement to abide by any restrictions the University of Maryland may place on real-time play-by-play coverage and use of comprehensive game statistics. Failure to abide by these restrictions implemented by the University of Maryland may result in revocation of press credentials. Maryland reserves the right to grant approval for distribution of real-time play-by-play, game-related statistics and information through the Internet ("real time" is defined as any online media providing live continual play-by-play coverage, in-game statistics, digital photographs, or audio or video of an event).
In-Season Interviews
All interviews with members of the Maryland Intercollegiate Athletics Department must be arranged through the Maryland Media Relations Office. Players and coaches have been instructed not to participate in interviews unless they have been arranged through the media relations office. Player phone numbers will not be released, and members of the media are asked not to attempt to contact student-athletes or relatives on the telephone, via e-mail or by any other means. Players are not available for live call-in radio shows. We require 24 hours notice to facilitate all interview requests. Contact the Media Relations Office at (301) 314-7064 for the primary contact assigned to the respective sport, or Doug Dull for interviews with other staff members.
Football Media Services
Game Day Parking
Game-day press parking is located in the Regents Drive Garage, which is adjacent to the football practice fields. The parking garage is best accessed from the Regents Drive entrance to campus. Access is via pass only and is available on a limited basis.
Photography Regulations
Photo passes will be issued only to accredited photographers on assignment. Photographers should obtain an armband from the media-relations staff in Tyser Tower to gain admittance to the field. Under NCAA and ACC rules, photographers are not allowed between the 25-yard lines and must remain outside of the restraining lines surrounding the playing field.
In-Season Interviews
All player interviews must be arranged through Shawn Nestor in the Maryland media relations office. He can be reached at 301-314-7065 or via e-mail at snestor@umd.edu. Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as postgame. No interviews will be conducted on Sunday, Monday, Thursday or Friday.
Postgame Interviews
Head coach Ralph Friedgen and selected players will be brought to the Young Dining Hall on the main floor of the Gossett Football Team House for postgame interviews. The dining hall is located one level above the playing field. Interviews with the visiting team coach and players will be coordinated by the opponent SID staff and specifics announced in the press box on gameday. The opposing team interview area is located in a tent outside the visiting locker room (opposite side of the field from the Tyser Tower Press Box). The Terps follow similar guidelines for coach and player interviews for road games. Maryland's locker room is closed following games.
Practice Coverage
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday practices are open to local media outlets for the first five periods. Monday practices and Friday walk-throughs (home and away) are closed to the media. Cameras and photographers from season credentialed outlets are allowed to shoot the first five periods of practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, unless otherwise noted. Team drills are not accessible to cameras or photographers. All team meetings are not accessible to the media.
Ralph Friedgen Interviews
Friedgen will be available to the media at his weekly Tuesday media luncheons, which begin at 1 p.m. in the Young Dining Hall of the Gossett Team House. He will also address the media after Wednesday and Thursday practice sessions. In addition, Friedgen is available on the weekly ACC Teleconference held each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Press Box
The press box is located on the south side of Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium in Tyser Tower. Access to Level 5 is via elevators.
Statistical Services
Complete team and individual statistics by quarter, play-by-play, and postgame notes and quotes will be provided to the working media. Scores of other college games are provided before, during and after the game. In-game stat monitors are stationed throughout the press box. An internal PA system will provide updated statistics and notes throughout the game.
Telephones and Internet
A limited number of telephones are available in the Tyser Tower Press Box (calling card required). Any additional telephone requests should be directed to Josh Kaplan, Director of Operations and Facilities, at 301-314-9729. List Doug Dull or Shawn Nestor as the contact person for all installations. Wireless Internet access is free and available by contacting the Media Relations staff on game day.
Video Services
Highlights of Maryland home games not televised will be distributed via satellite. In addition, the Atlantic Coast Conference uplinks game highlights and selected interviews from each ACC school on Wednesday afternoons during the season.
Website
Web Site
All of Maryland's news releases and statistics, as well as quotes from head coach Ralph Friedgen's weekly press conference, can be accessed at umterps.com.
Men's Basketball Media Services
E-Mail Services
Basketball releases may be obtained electronically by contacting Doug Dull at ddull@umd.edu.
Game Day Media Parking
Parking is located to the north of Comcast Center - in lots P1 and P2. Media parking is best accessed from the University Drive (Rt. 193) entrance to campus at Paint Branch Drive. Access to the media parking area is parking pass only, and is available on a limited basis. For lots P1 and P2, after entering campus on Paint Branch Drive, take the first right at Terrapin Trail, and proceed approximately 100 yards to the media parking area on the right.
In-Season Interview Policies
All interviews must be arranged through Doug Dull in the Maryland Media Relations Office. He can be reached at 301-314-1482 or via e-mail at ddull@umd.edu. Please give at least 24 hours notice for interview requests. Head coach Gary Williams is available on the day before each game for an interview session in the Comcast Center media work room. Contact Doug Dull for times and potential player availability.
Media Seating and Media Work Room
The courtside media area and work room both are at the northeast corner of the arena. Both are available for working media only. Working space in the media area of Comcast Center is limited and seats are expressly reserved for those working on deadline, with no exceptions. Children and other non-workers are not allowed in the media area.
Located on the court level of Comcast Center, the work room is directly across from the men's basketball locker room and directly behind the courtside area. They are connected by the tunnel area adjacent to the loading dock and service entrance on the arena's northeast corner. The work room opens well before game time and media representatives are welcome upon arrival at the arena.
Photography
All photographers and camera operators must remain seated in baseline photo areas, as per NCAA regulations. Locations will be assigned for all games. Photographer and videographer positions are at the complete and absolute discretion of the basketball game officials and the Maryland Media Relations Office at all times, without exception.
The NCAA has established a policy to control congestion in photography areas. Priority shall be given, in all instances, to photographers and videographers on assignment. Only game photographers (no runners, assistants or producers) shall have access to courtside photo areas.
Strobe lights may be installed in Comcast Center, but arrangements must be made through the Media Relations Office two weeks in advance. Space for strobe lights is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Postgame News Conference
Postgame news conferences for both head coaches will be conducted at the conclusion of each game. Head Coach Gary Williams will address the media following a cooling-off period in the Pavilion located outside the arena section of the facility. Selected players will be available in the Media Work Room located across the hall from the Maryland locker room. The Maryland locker room is closed.
The visiting team's locker room access policy is determined by officials of that school. Visiting head coaches will be available in an interview area located in the tunnel near the visiting team locker room.
Postgame Statistics
A statistics packet including running play-by-play, first half and final box scores, and postgame notes and home and visitor head coach quotes, are compiled for each game and made available to the media at press row and in the media work room.
Telephones and Internet
Some complimentary phone lines are available in the Comcast Center media work room, as dictated by ACC policy (calling card or reverse charges required). Additional requests for dedicated lines, either for the work room or courtside, should be directed to Brady Gowin, Asst. Director of Operations and Facilities, at 301-314-2784. List Doug Dull as the contact person for all installations. Wireless Internet access is free and available by contacting the Media Relations staff on game day.
Website
All of Maryland's news releases and statistics, as well as quotes from head coach Gary Williams' news conferences, can be accessed at umterps.com.
Weekly Teleconference
The 12 ACC head basketball coaches will be featured on nine Monday teleconferences during the 2009-10 season. The season's first teleconference will take place on Monday. January 4, 2010, and continue through Monday, March 8. Each coach will have 10 minutes to make an opening statement and answer questions. There will be an instant replay of each teleconference on the Conference's internet site TheACC.com each Monday afternoon.
ACC Coaches Teleconference
Al Skinner, Boston College 10:30 Oliver Purnell, Clemson 10:40 Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 10:50 Leonard Hamilton, Florida State 11:00 Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech 11:10 Gary Williams, Maryland 11:20 Frank Haith, Miami 11:30 Roy Williams, North Carolina 11:40 Sidney Lowe, NC State 11:50 Tony Bennett, Virginia 12:00 Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech 12:10 Dino Gaudio, Wake Forest 12:20
