More than eighty years ago, as part of Alumni Day, campus officials held an ivy-planting ceremony on the shady hill near Morrill Hall during which class traditions were formally transferred from the graduating seniors to the juniors. Many of the traditions that existed in 1920s — freshman-sophomore tug-of-war, May Day, all-class proms, rat caps — have disappeared, but the new ones, like rubbing Testudo’s nose for good luck and firing off a cannon every time the football team scores, have taken their place.
MAC to Millennium brings together these traditions and many other fun and unusual tales about our campus, from its founding in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College (MAC) to the twenty-first century. We hope you enjoy this compilation and that you rub Testudo’s nose every chance you get!
Without Jim Henson, there would be no Muppets, no Fraggle Rock, and the magical world of Sesame Street would be quite different. As a pioneer in his industry, Henson’s unique style brought a brand new element to television. His accomplishments at the University of Maryland and beyond make him one of the university’s most distinguished alumni.
Following his death in May of 1990, the University of Maryland commemorated the life of Jim Henson during the Homecoming football game on October 13, 1990. Henson’s wife, Jane, accepted a painted drum head on his behalf and also served as the Homecoming grand marshal, an honor bestowed on her husband 11 years prior. 27,000 spectators were on-hand in Byrd Stadium to witness the event.
Jane Henson, William Kirwan, and Kermit the Frog, 1990.
The focus of that special weekend was reviving a little bit of Henson’s magic and remembering his best work. With the help of Jim Henson Productions, the event featured life sized versions of some of Henson’s most popular characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the Cookie Monster, dancing to familiar Sesame Street tunes.
Kermit and Miss Piggy at the Henson Commemoration, 1990.
Mrs. Henson, who was delighted with the turnout and response to the event, explained, “The campus has always been very responsive to Jim and his work…They’ve always considered him an alumnus to be proud of.” When asked about her late husband’s legacy, Jane added, “He touched so many people’s lives that I think the real loss will be felt by his audiences.”
In 1938, the University of Maryland Student Band unveiled its coed drum majorettes for the first time. This was another big first for the band, with women instrumentalists having joined in 1936. Making their debut on the field prior to a football game against Western Maryland in October 1938, the ladies quickly found themselves at the center of controversy.
Drum Majorettes, 1951
The Washington Times fanned the flames by mentioning the majorettes in several articles, according to Musical Ambassadors of Maryland: A Centennial Celebration, a 2009 book about the marching band’s history. The Times focused on the ladies’ physical appearance, including their heights and weights, and commented archly that their first appearance “startled several thousand spectators last Saturday when they appeared at the head of the band…in resplendent uniforms consisting of brass-buttoned jackets, plumed hats, and black boots, but very little else.”
The press was not the only entity questioning the propriety of the majorettes and their outfits, with Dean of Women Adele Stamp actively involved in a hurried re-working of the majorettes’ uniforms. Miss Stamp did not believe that majorettes should exist, and for a time she seems to have gotten her way. The following year, 1939-1940, the only women in the band were instrumentalists.
Yet the issue would not die, as a October 1945 letter from Adele Stamp to UMD President Curley Byrd makes clear. Stamp writes: “The question of drum majorettes has also come up again. Can we not settle this once and for all?…You will recall the furore (sic) that was created the time they appeared at the Western Maryland game…I am opposed to drum majorettes. I think they have no part in a college program and I know of no well-known or reputable state university that has them. They savor too much of the Atlantic City parades and the bathing beauty contests.”
Drum Majorette Jean Weaver and Drum Major Mike Board, 1961.
Whether the ladies’ roles as majorettes simply offended Stamp’s sensibilities, or whether she was concerned about their being exploited (or some combination thereof) we’ll probably never know. But the majorettes did re-appear, and by the early 1950s they were around to stay. Happily, they are no longer referred to as drum majorettes, but drum majors like their male counterparts, with the focus is solely on their leadership, and not on their outfits.
Maryland may have been riding high after winning their sixth straight at Miami, because they were certainly off their game when they faced South Carolina for a Homecoming match up in College Park on October 30th, 1953. The Gamecocks were coming into the contest hot, having won four in a row against only one loss, and sporting the 5th-ranked defense in the nation. Maryland would also have to prepare for South Carolina star quarterback Johnny Gramling, who had been a headache for opposing defenses all season.
Early in the game Carolina’s defense had already lived up to their reputation. Maryland blockers had their hands full with defensive end Clyde Bennett, who consistently disrupted the Terrapin backfield. The Gamecocks forced four turnovers, three fumbles and an interception, which kept Maryland from gaining momentum. Fortunately, thanks to a Ralph Felton one yard plunge and a Chet Hanulak punt return for a touchdown, Maryland was able to gain an early advantage in the first quarter.
Yet the game did not get any easier for the Terps, who suffered through a very sluggish offensive performance. Quarterback Bernie Faloney’s arm was kept in check by the swarming Carolina defense, with the Terps QB passing for a mere 37 yards on eight attempts. As a result, it was up to the running backs and the defense to pick up the slack and get the Terps a victory. The running backs answered the call, combining for 213 yards on the ground, while the defense held Carolina’s rushing attack to just 37 yards. South Carolina was able to make it 14-6 in the second quarter, but that was as close as they got. Maryland held off the Gamecocks despite a sloppy performance, winning by a final score of 24-6.
Ed Vereb lunges for extra yards
While the Terps were able to squeeze out a needed victory, they didn’t look deserving of their high national ranking, and coach Jim Tatum took some heat for it. He was even accused of trying to take it easy against his old friend, South Carolina Coach Rex Enright. When asked about his team’s lackluster performance Tatum responded, “We knew Carolina had a very fine team, more so than they had been given credit for…We’re not the least bit disappointed with the outcome, as running against that big Carolina line was enough for one afternoon’s work.” Carolina’s Enright praised Maryland’s resilience saying, “Maryland has a great team. One of the finest that will be seen in the country this year.”
Maryland was able to win a game where they didn’t play well, like a championship team must during the course of a long season. Yet if they were to have a similar sub-par performance against future opponents Mississippi or Alabama, they might not be so lucky. Will Maryland be able to get their act together before next week, or have the wheels started falling off of the Terps’ bandwagon? See what happens as Maryland goes on the road to face George Washington.
Click here to read an article about Tatum defending his teams performance vs. South Carolina.
In the last few years the University Archives has digitized over 1,000 reels of football film. In addition to capturing the program’s history, the footage also serves as a window into the campus’ past. One such film is from October 16, 1948, the annual Homecoming Game. That year saw the Terps take on rival Duke at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., where Maryland played their 1948 home contests while Byrd Stadium was being built. In this beautiful color footage, you can see the marching band in all its glory, the crowning of Miss Jean Farmer as Homecoming Queen, and a very early Testudo mascot protecting her from the Blue Devil. Below is a link to that amazing footage, as well as a link to the documentation of that year’s celebration in the Terrapin yearbook.
Program cover for the October 16, 1948 Homecoming game versus Duke. This program and many others are housed in our University Publications collection.
You really haven’t lived until you’ve played a good game of pig catching. Or at least that’s what we’ve been told. This year’s Homecoming celebrations don’t feature such thrilling activities, but there’s certainly lots to do! Check out the link below for the full schedule of events.
The University Archives had the chance to Look Back at U at an event in the Grand Ballroom of the Stamp on Monday, October 13 to help jump start the annual Homecoming celebration. This year’s Homecoming theme banner features several historic Testudos, so the Archives was all ready to hop on the Homecoming bandwagon. Staff members Daniella Furman, Amanda Hawk, and Anne Turkos had a great time meeting lots of students and giving away old football buttons and stress turtles. The students also enjoyed looking at the old yearbooks and student handbooks from the Archives. Who knew that female students once had to be in their dorm rooms by 7:30 PM, and couldn’t go to the library in the evening without permission from their house mothers?! We were also very excited to see Testudo in the house! A terrific time was had by all, and the Archives gang looks forward to this kick-off event next year!
Terrapin Tales 