COLLEGE PARK, MD - The No. 21 Maryland men's basketball team ceremoniously kicked off the 2021-22 season in the early hours of Thursday morning when it ran the "Midnight Mile" with more than 1,000 students at the Kehoe Track & Field Complex. It was the most students since the event returned in 2018.

"It was so exciting to be back out with our students after a year away," Turgeon said. "The Midnight Mile has become one of my favorite events, and it makes it even more special to do it in honor of Lefty Driesell. We had a record turnout this year and it speaks to the excitement surrounding this year's team and the enthusiasm of our student body. We look forward to seeing them at our opener on November 9."

It marked the 50th year since legendary head coach Lefty Driesell introduced the original "Midnight Mile" to Maryland in 1971 when he had his team run a mile to get a jumpstart on the rest of the teams around the country.

The tradition soon swept the country as collegiate programs adopted their own midnight events.

The event included prizes and giveaways, including two lucky students who won an electric scooter and a trip to an away basketball game with the team this season.

Students also received pizza, water and t-shirts.

The men's basketball team kicks off the season Tues., Nov. 9, when it hosts Quinnipiac at 7:00 pm XFINITY Center.