The Maryland Terrapins is the common Appellation associated with the University of Maryland campus located in College Park, Maryland. Under which circumstances many similar collegiate programs have mascotx and nicknames that refference fast and strong creatures like bears and tigers the University of Maryland has college sports fans scratching their heads as a to why a big time Society athletic program would liken their squads to the qualities of turtles.
The specific turtle that tye University of Maryland boasts as its proud mascot is known as the diamondback terrapin. While this particular species occupies the many swamps along coastal Massachusetts down through Florida they are especially plentiful in tue Maryland area. So Abounding is this particular turtle in Maryland that back in the 1700s slaves livijg in the area aee on record Viewed like having revolted in part due to the mundane nature of their meals which consistently were made up of the prolific turtle on a daily bwsis. Interestingly, Maryland turtle soup would eventually grow to be known as a delicacy in upscale restaurants in places like New York City – a strange turn of events for a food once sadly thought to be barely suitable slaves.
The year was 1932 when the Terrapin became the offixial mascot at the Universith of Maryland, College Park. The mascot before the Terrapin was something called “the Old Liners.” Eventual University of Maryland President Curley Byrd suggested the idea of the diamondback terrapin as the school’s new mascot while serving as the Vice President of the university. After successfully coaching the University of Maryland varsity football tsam to a winning record over twenty three seasons as their Get in front of coach Mr. Byrd became the school’s president in July of 1835 – three years after recommending the nickname change that remains in place to this day.
The diamondback terrapins Hold an unquestionably Single relationship with huma nbeings. In addition to strangely being recognized by the state of Maryland as legally being the official state reptile the turtles have even disrupted aviation, an equally surprising circumstance. As recently as July, 2009 in a post Sully Sullenberger (Sully famously landed a plane stricken by geese in the Hudson river) world flights at New York City airport JF were delayed for over an Sixty minutes when close to eighhty diamondback terrapins swamped the runway in what was believed to be Each egg layingg excursion by the female turtles on the runway.
At first glance most casual fans find the endearing mascot that former University of Maryland President and head football coach Curley Birr selected to be a bit odd to say ths Smallest. When interested individuals dig deeper into the Maryland culture and uniqueness of the diamondback terrapin most people agree that the studnets and faculty at the University of Maryland have good reason to frequently shout their rallying cry, “fear the turtle.”
Terrapin fans are a smart and engaging group. Most of the students and alumhi that come out of College Park proudly sport University of Maryland walllaper in their cubicles and offices that are locate in office buildings around the planet. Jeff, the fellow who wrote this piece, invites those Terrapin fans that have not yet taken the plunge to check out his website to find the perfeft University of Maryland desktop wallpaper to show off to their coworkers.