After the Maryland women’s volleyball team’s practice last Thursday, coach Steve Aird carried a cardboard box toward a huddle of players.
He smiled as the Terps gathered around to see what was inside. Then, he pulled out a surprise.
“I got these really cool warmup shirts for you guys for Penn State,” Aird told the players. “But we don’t get to whip them out until we go out on the court.”
The black Under Armour shirts, which the team donned before facing the Nittany Lions on Friday night, had “TERPS — vs — EVERYBODY” printed across them in white lettering.
Even though Maryland lost to No. 10 Penn State, 3-1, before topping Rutgers in straight sets on Sunday, the warmup outfits made an impression on the players.
“We loved it,” outside hitter Gia Milana said. “He loved it, too. He was like, ‘Don’t wear those at all anywhere until you warm up. Not even serve and pass. I want it to be a surprise.'”
While many Division I head coaches leave design work to others in their program, Aird was excited to take on the challenge. He said he has always been fascinated with the marketing aspect of college sports and tries to remain involved in Terps branding as often as possible.
It’s an interest he developed during a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Penn State.
“I really loved the business side of things,” Aird said. “It certainly wasn’t what [Nittany Lions coach Russ Rose] wanted me to spend most of my time on, but it was something I was passionate about.”
Aird got the idea for the shirts’ tagline in Detroit, where he spends extensive time in the offseason. A clothing company there prints the words “Detroit vs. Everybody” on t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, and the coach adapted that message to fit Maryland.
He said the motto embodies the program’s underdog identity.
With an 11-17 record this campaign and zero postseason appearances since 2005, the Terps are trying to earn respect amid the challenging Big Ten conference, which currently features seven ranked teams.
“I want to have a different edge,” Aird said. “Everything about what we do is so different from all the other Big Ten teams. It’s the live DJ [during home games]. It’s the vibe. It’s the swag.”
Opposite hitter Angel Gaskin believes “Terps vs. everybody” also reflects the squad’s internal focus because players are “worried about our side and our skill” rather than particular opponents.
“It’s an everyday mindset because we are getting so close each game that we play, and each week of practice we’re getting better,” Gaskin said. “The shirt kind of ties into [that].
Execute our game plan and good things are going to happen.”
After Maryland’s loss to Penn State, Aird used social media to tell people to contact him for a custom shirt.
He tweeted, “We may have lost the match. But if you feelin the shirt … holla at cha boy,” along with a picture of libero Kelsey Wicinski and outside hitter Megan McTigue wearing the tops in warmups.
Aird also tweeted at SportsCenter host and Maryland alumnus Scott Van Pelt: “If you are still in CP for the @TerpsFootball game … I got ur shirt. 100% I get it to you.”
“I’m around,” Van Pelt responded.
While Aird enjoyed the first installment of his Maryland clothing collection and the positive reception it got, he emphasized the “Terps vs. everybody” shirts were just the beginning.
“I like to roll out stuff like that,” Aird said. “That’s the first of hopefully many fun shirts that I can pump out. I’m hopeful that the athletic department digs it.”
