Feb. 6, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Meet Terp alum and former track team captain David Ungrady, author of "Tales From the Maryland Terrapins: A Collection of the Greatest Stories Ever Told," at the Terrapin women's basketball game vs. Wake Forest on Monday, Feb. 9.

The book relives the most profound memories from more than 100 years of athletics at the University of Maryland. Ungrady, a journalist in the metropolitan area for more than 20 years, was a two-sport athlete in College Park and has compiled a rich history of Terrapin athletics.

Copies of the book will be sold and signed by Ungrady in Comcast Center when the Terrapin women's basketball team faces Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Monday night.

Five percent of all sales will be donated to the Terrapin track program, of which Ungrady is happy to be reconnecting. "Talking with former athletes has been so rewarding," Ungrady says of the experience of writing the book. "There were a lot of heartfelt emotion in their stories and it was clear how important their athletic careers are to them."

Stories in the book include: The first organized football competition in 1892, the national-caliber programs of baseball, boxing, football, lacrosse, track and field and soccer in the 1940s and the start of women's teams competing in intercollegiate athletics in 1960.

With the women's basketball team enjoying its best season in recent history and trying to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years, there is no better time to become part of the excitement of head coach Brenda Frese's program.

With that excitement of a program on the rise, Ungrady and Terrapin track coach Andrew Valmon hope to also generate energy around the track program.

In addition to Monday night's book signing, the first 1,000 fans will receive free "Fear the Turtle" t-shirts. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The game will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports South and the Sunshine Network. The Voice of the Terps Johnny Holliday will also be making the call on the Terrapin Sports Network.