COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland basketball team will celebrate the start of its 100th season with a nod to the program's past on Monday, October 15, when the team hosts the "Midnight Mile" at Kehoe Track & Field Complex on campus (Ludwig Field). The event will roll into the morning of Tuesday, October 16.

The "Midnight Mile" will resemble the nation's original "Midnight Madness," which started in College Park under legendary head coach Lefty Driesell, who was recently inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

As the legend goes, Driesell held a one-mile run at the track in front of 1,000 fans around then-Byrd Stadium at 12:03 a.m. on October 15, 1971, the first possible day to begin practice.

"It is a thrill to host this run as a tribute to Lefty's induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame and to kick off our program's 100th season," said head coach Mark Turgeon. "Lefty was an innovator in the game of basketball, and Midnight Madness was one of the many ways he helped make Maryland a special program. I am excited that our guys will have the opportunity to interact with their classmates and be a part of such a unique event. Our students play such an important role in our success at home, and we wanted to do something to show how much we appreciate their support. I'm looking forward to sharing this night with them and our fans."

The midnight run eventually morphed into a midnight scrimmage at Cole Field House, and by October 15, 1973 more than 8,000 Terrapin supporters showed up to cheer on the Terps. This year's run will begin 47 years to the day of the original, with students joining the current team to kick off the season together.

All fans are welcome to attend the event, which will begin at 11:30 pm when gates open at Kehoe Track & Field Complex. Players will be available for a meet and greet and photos prior to the start of the mile run, which will kick off just after midnight.

A limited number of students who are part of The Pride, Maryland's official athletics student support group will join the team for a one mile run around the track beginning just after midnight. (Please note: Only registered Maryland students are eligible to run in the mile).

The men's and women's basketball teams also plan to team up for the annual "Maryland Madness Fan Fest" at XFINITY Center on Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 pm.

-Terps-