100th Anniversary of Homecoming

On By umdarchivesIn Anniversaries, Athletics, Campus History, Sports

By: Anne S.K. Turkos

November 24th, 2023, is the 100th anniversary of the first official Homecoming at the University of Maryland. The M Club, comprised of male alumni who had won the “M” for their achievements in football, baseball, track, lacrosse, basketball, and tennis, organized the day-long celebration. The club’s organizing committee chose November 24 because that was the earliest date on which the new gymnasium, located on the site of the current Annapolis Hall, was to be ready for use.

The day began with a football game at 10:30 AM between the Maryland freshman team and a team of second-stringers from Technical High School in Washington, DC. Halftime festivities featured the annual freshman-sophomore push-ball contest.

A luncheon for alumni followed at noontime, and students and alumni gathered an hour later for a pep rally to prepare for the varsity football game against Catholic University that afternoon and for the game versus arch-rival Johns Hopkins six days later. Attendees at the rally then proceeded with the marching band to the new football stadium, located where Fraternity Row now stands, and swelled the crowd to 3,000 fans who watched the Old Liners (we were yet to be named Terps) resoundingly defeat Catholic 40-6. 

Black and white photo of the 1923 football team. There are three rows of men sitting, each one wearing a black long sleeve shirt, beige pants, and black socks. They all have short hair. The first row is sitting on the ground, the second on a bench behind them and third row standing. Beneath the photo is says "1923 varsity football squad" and the names of each person in each row.

Members of the 1923 football team.

Newspaper clipping titled "Defeating Catholic University Much Easier than Anticipated"

The Diamondback, November 27, 1923.

At halftime, R.H. Ruffner, Maryland Agricultural College (MAC) Class of 1908, head of the animal husbandry department at North Carolina State College, led the ceremonies dedicating the new stadium in honor of Harry Clifton Byrd, also MAC Class of 1908, former athletic director, and current assistant to Maryland president Albert F. Woods.

Black and white photo of Byrd Stadium. It shows the front of a long stadium in front of field and there is a tree in front of it.

Old Byrd Stadium, dedicated November 24, 1923. Replaced by facility now known as SECU Stadium in 1950.

After the glorious gridiron victory, the members of the M Club met to select their first set of officers and to have dinner together before the final event of the day, a dance in the new gymnasium which was open to all alumni, faculty, and students. Dance tickets cost $1.50 per couple, and the Diamondback described the event as “one of the best dances ever given at the University.” A more complete account of the day’s activities may be found in the November 27th issue of the Diamondback, here.

In the ensuing years, Homecoming celebrations have featured a variety of activities beyond the customary football game, including parades of decorated floats, comedy and step shows, concerts, and huge tailgate parties. It’s always an event to look forward to, and we thank the M Club for kicking things off 100 years ago!

Sources Used:

  1. Papers of Geary Eppley, Series II, Box 6, folder: M Club, 1929-1947
  2. Student Newspapers database: https://digital.lib.umd.edu/student-newspapers

Anne S.K. Turkos is the University Archivist Emerita for the University of Maryland. She has been a part of the staff of the UMD Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives since January 1985. Before retirement in July 2017, she worked with campus departments and units, student groups, and alumni to transfer, preserve, and make available permanent university records. She continues to support the Archives through her work on special projects and fundraising. Follow Anne on Twitter at @AnneTurkos.

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