All About Testudo

Higher education had about as much use for me as I had for it. I completed most of two years at the University of Maryland, College Park campus, before dropping out and entering the work force full time. I can't say I never looked back because I wish I'd graduated -it wouldn't have hurt- but I certainly don't regret it enough to make me go back.


Anyway, a school chum forwarded me the University's monthly alumni bulletin this week and I saw a mention of Testudo the Terrapin, the least fierce school mascot I know. Sure, there are dumber ones like the Banana Slug or the Aardvark, but does any creature  strike less fear into the hearts of the visiting football team like a freaking turtle? Oooh, look out! We're coming to get you! Really, really slowly.

So here are 5 fun facts about Testudo and a link to more if there are any Terrapins out there who remember rubbing his nose for luck on the way to class every day like I do.

1. Maryland football coach Dr. H. Curley Byrd recommended that the Diamondback terrapin be made the school mascot back in 1932. Before then, Maryland teams were called the Old Liners.

2. There are several theories as to how the name Testudo was chosen. The one that makes the most sense to me is that the scientific classification for turtle is testudine. 

3. In 1933 the 300 pound bronze statue was unveiled on campus and the live turtle that had been used as a model attended the ceremony.

4. Many pranks have been pulled on Testudo over the years by rival schools during  football and basketball seasons. Johns Hopkins and the University of Virginia both managed to steal the statue  before it was filled with 700 pounds of cement and attached to a new perch with steel rods and hooks in 1951.

5. In 1992, a bronze twin of the beloved statue was created and placed outside the football complex locker room. Now he can be a lame mascot in two places at the same time.

   

Comments

i know the banana slugs is the UC Santa Cruz mascot, but aardvarks? If you're referring to UCIrvine, it's the anteater, which is different than an aardvark (it belongs to the bear family) which is the more menancing animal. I'd hardly say that the anteater is dumb...
LS (former Anteater)

[EditThis]

Um, yeah...I briefly attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, whose mascot is the Geoduck. We smite thee. I believe the school color may have been tye-die, as well.

[tracy]

I realize this is very late...

Scottsdale Community College is home to the Fighting Articokes...seriously...

http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/athletics/index.html