Football Practice Report No. 15
8/24/2002 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2002
COLLEGE PARK,, Md. -
Even a late August thunderstorm couldn't keep nearly 2,000 Terrapin fans away from Football FanFest 2002 Saturday.
Chased from the practice field by thunder, lightning and a 30-minute shower, the Terrapin football team made an easy adjustment - retreating to the portico on the north side of Byrd Stadium, where supporters young and old alike were treated to free T-shirts, autographed posters and other Terrapin memorabilia during the team's annual preseason get-together with its fans.
"We're growing, aren't we?" smiled second-year coach Ralph Friedgen while nodding to the throng of devotees who anxiously await the team's season opener Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Notre Dame in the Kickoff Classic. "This was a great crowd. I was happy to see so many of them stay to watch our practice."
Friedgen himself was one of the most popular Terrapins on the afternoon, signing just about anything presented to him before and after practice. "Are you a Terp?" he asked one shy seven-year-old seeking his signature on a schedule poster. After another prompt by the Maryland head coach, Friedgen received the affirmative nod. "Gotta be a Terp!," implored the Terrapin leader.
After signing autographs for nearly an hour, Friedgen and his squad closed out the week's practice schedule with a two-hour workout on the team's artificial turf field. The players will have Sunday off before returning on Monday for a 5:15 p.m. workout. The Terps are also scheduled for similar early-evening workouts Tuesday and Wednesday. A morning practice on Thursday will be followed by a train trip to New Jersey where the team will ready itself for its first-ever gridiron showdown with the most storied program in college football history.
Kickoff for the game vs. the Fighting Irish, to be televised nationally on ABC, is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Season tickets are still available for the Terps' seven-game homestand. For more information, contact the Terrapin Ticket Office at 800-462-TERP, or visit the Terrapin Ticket Office in the Comcast Center.
