By Courtney Corcoran
Hundreds of basketball fans lined up in front of Ludwig Field on Wednesday, Oct. 22, eagerly awaiting the opening of the gates to kick off the University of Maryland’s 54th annual Midnight Mile.
The event, which attracted over 1,200 students and staff, marked the official start of the college basketball season and allowed students to join players in a one-mile midnight run around the track.
Before the run, students had the opportunity to speak with players, take pictures, participate in activities such as cornhole and enjoy free food and drinks. The first 300 people in attendance received a “Midnight Mile” t-shirt.
Abby Carter, a sophomore kinesiology major, attended the event with a friend, took part in the Midnight Mile.
“It’s a good tradition….we both love Maryland basketball, so we’re excited to start off the season,” she said.
The tradition dates back to 1971, when Maryland’s Hall of Fame coach Lefty Driesell had his players run a mile at midnight to usher in the new season and set standards for the year.
The run has been adopted by other college basketball teams including Duke, Kentucky and Kansas.
UMD President Darryll Pines, who participated in the run, said that he was pleased to be able to honor Driesell’s legacy.
“It’s a very honorable Maryland tradition that has now gone on for 54 years thanks to coach Lefty Driesell,” he said.“Even I can run the laps, so anyone can do it.”
It was sophomore history major Gavin Callaway’s first time attending the mile. Callaway said the event is a good way to bring the community together.
“I love Maryland basketball, so you’ve got to show support when you can,” he said.
After finishing last season with a 27-9 winning record and making it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, Maryland basketball is entering the current season with a new head coach, 15 newcomers and only one returner.
The new coach, Buzz Williams, previously served as the head coach for six seasons at Texas A&M, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons. He was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year twice, in 2019-20 and 2022-23.
“Coach Williams, he’s excited,” Pines said. He’s never been here before…loves Maryland Tradition, we’re going to have a great season.”
Andre Mills, a redshirt freshman who sat out his first year of eligibility, followed Williams from Texas A&M. In a Meet The Terps interview, Mills said he comes from a big family, so connections and culture were important to him, which made his decision to transfer alongside coach Williams an easy one.
“A lot of people are here to celebrate and welcome the new season, so I’m excited,” Mills said. To prepare for the new season, Mills said he is taking it one step at a time by getting better every day.
Featured Image: Students on the first lap of the race during the 54th Midnight Mile Tradition on Oct. 22, located on Kehoe Track at Ludwig Field hosted by UMD Men’s Basketball. Photo by Courtney Corcoran.