| The Maryland Terrapins is the common name | | | | diamondback terrapin as the school's new mascot |
| associated with the University of Maryland campus | | | | while serving as the Vice President of the university. |
| located in College Park, Maryland. While many similar | | | | After successfully coaching the University of Maryland |
| collegiate programs have mascots and nicknames that | | | | varsity football team to a winning record over twenty |
| reference fast and strong creatures like bears and | | | | three seasons as their head coach Mr. Byrd became |
| tigers the University of Maryland has college sports | | | | the school's president in July of 1835 - three years |
| fans scratching their heads as a to why a big time | | | | after recommending the nickname change that |
| college athletic program would liken their squads to the | | | | remains in place to this day. |
| qualities of turtles. | | | | The diamondback terrapins have an unquestionably |
| The specific turtle that the University of Maryland | | | | unique relationship with human beings. In addition to |
| boasts as its proud mascot is known as the | | | | strangely being recognized by the state of Maryland |
| diamondback terrapin. While this particular species | | | | as legally being the official state reptile the turtles have |
| occupies the many swamps along coastal | | | | even disrupted aviation, an equally surprising |
| Massachusetts down through Florida they are | | | | circumstance. As recently as July, 2009 in a post Sully |
| especially plentiful in the Maryland area. So abundant is | | | | Sullenberger (Sully famously landed a plane stricken by |
| this particular turtle in Maryland that back in the 1700s | | | | geese in the Hudson river) world flights at New York |
| slaves living in the area are on record as having | | | | City airport JFK were delayed for over an hour when |
| revolted in part due to the mundane nature of their | | | | close to eighty diamondback terrapins swamped the |
| meals which consistently were made up of the prolific | | | | runway in what was believed to be an egg laying |
| turtle on a daily basis. Interestingly, Maryland turtle soup | | | | excursion by the female turtles on the runway. |
| would eventually grow to be known as a delicacy in | | | | At first glance most casual fans find the endearing |
| upscale restaurants in places like New York City - a | | | | mascot that former University of Maryland President |
| strange turn of events for a food once sadly thought | | | | and head football coach Curley Bird selected to be a |
| to be barely suitable slaves. | | | | bit odd to say the least. When interested individuals dig |
| The year was 1932 when the Terrapin became the | | | | deeper into the Maryland culture and uniqueness of the |
| official mascot at the University of Maryland, College | | | | diamondback terrapin most people agree that the |
| Park. The mascot before the Terrapin was something | | | | students and faculty at the University of Maryland |
| called "the Old Liners." Eventual University of Maryland | | | | have good reason to frequently shout their rallying cry, |
| President Curley Byrd suggested the idea of the | | | | "fear the turtle. |