Honors & Awards

The University of Maryland athletics program is widely recognized as one of the best in the nation. Below, are some recent honors earned by the Terps:

• US News & World Report ranked Maryland Athletics among the Top 20 programs in the nation.
• Sports Illustrated ranked the Terps #24 among America's best sports colleges.
• Sports Illustrated for Women ranked Maryland as the #8 and #10 school for women's athletics in 1999 and 2000 (ranking discontinued after 2000).
• Maryland has finished in the "Elite Top 25" of the annual USSA Director's Cup competition, which measures the overall competitive excellence of athletics programs through competition in NCAA championships across all sports.
• Maryland ranked 6th nationally in the Excellence in Athletics Cup, an award that recognizes all-around achievement in athletics and areas associated with student-athletes, including (1) graduation rates, (2) gender equity, (3) financial integrity, and (4) competitive excellence.
• The Terps are one of only 7 schools to have won a National Championship in both football and men's basketball (the others are Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, UCLA, Syracuse and Connecticut).

History of Varsity Sports

Maryland has a proud tradition of expanding athletic opportunities and today sponsors a total of 27 varsity sports featuring more than 650 student-athletes.

Men (12)                         Women (15)
Football           1892          Basketball          1972
Basketball         1911          Volleyball          1972
Baseball           1920          Gymnastics          1973
Lacrosse           1924          Field Hockey        1975
Track (Indoor)     1925          Lacrosse            1975
Track (Outdoor)    1925          Tennis              1975
Cross Country      1925          Swimming            1975
Soccer             1932          Track (Indoor)      1975
Wrestling          1948          Track (Outdoor)     1975
Golf               1952          Cross Country       1978
Swimming           1957          Soccer              1988
Tennis             1964          Softball            1993
                                 Golf                1999
                                 Competitive Cheer   2003
                                 Water Polo          2003

Maryland Colors: Red, White, Black & Gold

 • History of Maryland's School Colors

The four official colors of the University of Maryland, red, white, black and gold, are drawn from the striking and distinctive Maryland state flag. Terp fans proudly wear the colors and have propelled the Terps to a perennial top ranking in the sale of officially licensed collegiate merchandise.

Testudo: Fear the Turtle

 • Tale of the Top Shell

Testudo got his start in 1932, when then football coach Dr. H. Curly Byrd recommended that the Diamondback terrapin be made the school mascot.

Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band

 • Listen to Official School Songs

The "Mighty Sound of Maryland" Marching Band takes the field at Byrd Stadium on football Saturdays, while the Pep Band rocks the Comcast Center during men's and women's basketball games.

Maryland's Distinguished Alumni

Jim Henson, Creator of "The Muppets"

Boomer Esiason, Quarterback & Sportscaster

Tim Brant, Sportscaster

 • Partial Listing of Maryland's Distinguished Alumni

The University of Maryland has produced scores of distinguished alumni that have excelled on and off the playing field.