By Adam Hudacek
When the last buzzer blared at Cole Field House in 2002, it ended nearly 50 years of upset wins, tough losses and lasting memories for the University of Maryland’s basketball programs. It was an icon for the sport, as much of a defining feature for Maryland basketball as Charles “Lefty” Driesell or Len Bias.
A venue can be as defining as a team’s record, players or coaching staff. This university’s traditions — including chants and taking the senior photo at SECU Stadium — are bookends to most students’ time in College Park.
Some of Maryland’s athletic venues date back to the 1950s. Others are as new as this decade. The Diamondback has you covered with a guide into the places every Terp sport team calls home.
SECU Stadium
By Brandon Schwartzberg
The name SECU Stadium is new, but the venue is not. It was originally named Byrd Stadium when it opened Sept. 30, 1950 and tweaked to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium before the 2009 season.
Maryland football and men’s lacrosse’s home most recently underwent a complete rebrand to SECU Stadium in the fall 2022.
The seating capacity has transformed from 34,680 to 51,802. While the site has been a regular for men’s lacrosse Final Fours, one of the greatest moments of the field’s history was when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited a football game against North Carolina in 1957.
Ludwig Field
By Matthew Neus and Holliday Woodard
Ludwig Field is the home to both Maryland men’s and women’s soccer, one of the premier soccer facilities in the country. Built in 1995, the $2.5 million facility is on the north side of campus and across from the Jones-Hill House.
Ludwig Field is one of the most daunting places to play for visiting teams due to The Crew. The Crew — Maryland soccer’s fans — sit behind both goals and cheers on the Terps for the entire game. Ludwig Field has hosted 10 crowds of more than 7,000 spectators since 2010.
Kehoe Track surrounds Ludwig Field and is the home complex for Maryland track and field. The built-in lighting fixtures make nighttime games popular throughout the season. The field is easily accessible through the back of the University of Maryland campus, with adjacent parking in Lot 1.
The latest update to the facilities was in 2008 with the addition of a press box above the bleacher seats.
Xfinity Center
By Ben Geffner
Originally completed in the fall of 2002, Xfinity Center is home to Maryland men’s and women’s basketball, as well as gymnastics. The stadium seats 17,950 fans, with some games ranked within the top-25 nationally in attendance over the course of the Terps’ first five seasons in the Big Ten.
The $125 million facility serves as the second largest arena in the Big Ten. Xfinity Center — which was the Comcast Center until 2014 — replaced Cole Field House as Maryland’s home court.
Xfinity Center Pavilion
By Jake Kauderer
The Xfinity Center Pavilion opened in 2002 as a small subsection of the Xfinity Center. It is the home for Maryland volleyball and wrestling with a capacity of about 1,500 people.
There is one concession stand right near the entrance with bleachers on both sides of the court. The Maryland band stands behind the respective baselines to perform for teams during games.
Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
By: Aidan Currie
Just a few minutes walk east of Xfinity Center, “The Plex” houses field hockey and women’s lacrosse, two of Maryland’s most decorated athletic programs. The venue first opened in 2003, but a recent $11 million renovation has given the facility a more modern look.
After its remodeling, the complex now includes updated locker rooms, an improved sports medicine room and the Tricia and Caitlin Green Hall of Champions — all in a two-story building that stands adjacent to the west side of the field. The main seating area runs along the north sideline, but fans often tailgate in campus parking lot 11B before entering.
Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium
By Michael Howes
The stadium, which opened in 1954, has hosted Maryland baseball for nearly 70 years. It lies in the middle of campus, nestled between Stamp Student Union and SECU Stadium. A new practice facility is under construction adjacent to the stadium, which comes after a recently installed synthetic turf and closed off bullpen on the field.
The stadium’s field is named after legendary Maryland coach H. Burton Shipley, who coached the Terps from 1924 to 1960. Bob Smith, the stadium’s namesake, is a Maryland baseball alum.
University of Maryland Golf Course
By Faith Harris
Located west of University Boulevard, the University of Maryland Golf Course serves as home to the men’s and women’s golf programs. The 150-acre facility opened in 1959, renovated in 2008 and now hosts more than 35,000 rounds of golf each year. A clubhouse was added to the property in 1999 with a full-service grill, a golf pro shop with Terrapins’ gear and a banquet facility for tournaments. Facilities also include a driving range with 45 stations and more than5,000 yards of practice putting green.
Read the Diamondback’s 2024 Sports Guide HERE.
