University Considers Renaming UMD's Byrd Stadium

Discussions to consider renaming the University of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium – stripping it of the name of a late president who approved of racial segregation – began on Monday.

According to the university’s website, Byrd Stadium is named for Dr. H.C. Byrd, a former head football coach who eventually served as university president from 1935 to 1954.

On Monday, a working group appointed by UMD President Wallace Loh held its first meeting to consider whether Byrd’s name should be pulled from the stadium. The Maryland Board of Regents has the final decision on any name change, WTOP reports.

A student petition submitted last spring asked university officials to rename the stadium because of Byrd’s racial views. The Washington Post says the university’s student government in April supported the petition effort.

Students lobbying for the name changes told Sports Illustrated that Byrd supported separate but equal schools for different races. The student government told the magazine tat Byrd “barred blacks from participating in sports and enrolling into the university until 1951.”

The group studying the issue is expected to report to University President Wallace Loh by Dec. 11. WTOP says the 19-member task force includes faculty members, students, alumni and university staff members.

Stadium History

The most recent $50.8 million upgrade to Byrd began in November 2007 and included the expansion of Tyser Tower along the South concourse, allowing for the addition of 64 suites. Additionally, mezzanine seating for 440 patrons was added, as well as a University suite for 200 guests.

That expansion, which increased the stadium’s capacity to 54,000, included a state-of-the-art scoreboard on the west concourse. With the work’s completion in 2009, the name of the facility is changed to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.

»Photo of Byrd Stadium, courtesy of UMD