Sept. 23, 2005
College Park, MD -
Maryland Sports Marketing (MSM) has undertaken a number of new initiatives for the 2005 Maryland Football season designed to continue to enhance the game day atmosphere in College Park.
Below, are some of the many highlights:
Terrapin Tailgate
This new, fan-friendly tailgate zone opens approximately 3 hours before each home game during the 2005 football season. Located outside Comcast Center in parking lot PP*, Terrapin Tailgate is free and open to the public. Features include:
Concert stage featuring live party music
Live Pre-Game Radio Broadcast with ESPN Radio's Bill Roland & Gary Stein
Pepsi Inflatable Games
Free Terps Tattoos and Posters with Testudo
NASCAR Busch Series Maryland "Fear the Turtle" Race Car
All your favorite Terps merchandise (plus the full-service Terrapin Team Shop inside Comcast Center)
ESPN Radio (WJFK-AM) and 105.7 WHFS-FM Fun Tents
Autographs with select Terps student-athletes
And much more!
In addition to ESPN Radio 1300 broadcasting live from the Terrapin Tailgate, fans can look for the 105.7 WHFS Tailgate Patrol on game days in College Park. The WHFS crew will feature live remotes on campus throughout the day and hand out plenty of prizes to Maryland faithful.
In-Game Enhancements
MSM has a number of new in-game elements designed to improve the fans' game day experience at Byrd Stadium. Below, are just some of the enhancements:
Decreased Corporate Presence. As a self-support unit which receives no State funding for its operational expenses, corporate partners play a necessary and important role in enabling Maryland Athletics to balance its annual operating budget and support its 27 teams and 700 student-athletes. However, MSM always strives to balance required sponsor elements with the collegiate environment. MSM has actually decreased the number of sponsored elements in its game presentation by nearly 20% for the 2005 football season.
Roving Public Address (PA) Announcer. Joel Dee, the Terps new sideline PA announcer, has increased fan interaction during football games. Some existing in-game elements, such as trivia contests, have been moved from pre-recorded video board spots to interactive fan experiences. Other elements, such crowd prompts and "the wave" have been added in coordination with the Marching Band and Special K to pump-up the crowd during key times in each game. Joel Dee also enables MSM to adapt its game format in response to the action on the football field -- something that is not possible when the entire format is pre-recorded on the TerpVision video board.
More "Mighty Sound of Maryland" Marching Band. The Marching Band is playing more often in 2005 than in any season in recent history. The use of the roving PA announcer has provided for greater flexibility in the game format and also enabled necessary sponsored elements to be accomplished more quickly, leaving additional time for the band to play. In addition, a number of timeouts and breaks in game action are dedicated exclusively for the Marching Band.
New Animations on TerpVision Video Board. MSM continues to enhance its animated offerings on the TerpVision video board at Byrd Stadium. New for 2005 are the "Shell Game", "Rally Towel" and "Scream" animations. Fans are encouraged to bring their Terrapin Towels back to Byrd for each and every home game.
Fireworks Display. MSM has added a fireworks display during the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band's performance of the National Anthem. Look for an even bigger show when the Terps take on ACC-rival Virginia Tech on Thursday, Oct. 20.
