How Terrapins Came to Campus

The Diamondback terrapin has been linked with the University of Maryland for more than 80 years, due primarily to the power and personality of one man. Harry Clifton Byrd grew up Crisfield Maryland when this Eastern Shore fishing village, long famous for its oysters, became briefly famous for its terrapins. When Curley Byrd left home, he headed for the Maryland Agricultural College where he became famous, first as a star athlete, then as a successful football coach, and finally as the high-profile president of a new and fast-growing University of Maryland.