What used to be called MidNight Madness that was started by Lefty Drisell in the 70’s has morphed into Maryland Madness that starts at 6:30p, with doors opening at 5:30p on October 18th.
I guess when an event gets old, even MidNight Madness wants to go to the Early Bird Special.
So to spice things up, even the moribund marketing department at Maryland can come up with a good idea. Put the event in Cole Field House.
This is a big deal in my house. The Littles (not really little anymore, but I don’t have a new nickname for them yet) would rather go to a glorified basketball practice in Cole than go to Wake Forest to see Maryland play football.
I will admit that Maryland Madness has gotten a bit dull recently. It is certainly a “been there, done that” event. Moving it to Cole gives it instant, fresh relevance.
The William P. Cole Student Activities Building, aka Cole Field House, has been and in my mind, still is the heart of campus life and the basketball program. The decision to build Comcast Center and leave Cole was short sighted and ultimately the wrong decision.
When you go to a good or great game at Comcast, somebody who has Terp pedigree will say, “That was like going to a game at Cole”. I will say, not really. That is akin to saying that fake bacon is as good as the real thing.
I think that when Maryland finally gets it house in order, renovating Cole as a viable sporting venue for modern times is a top priority. I really like what Georgia Tech did in rebuilding what was Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Except for rare instances, college football venues just get rebuilt. Teams that moved venues are few and far between. The only programs that come to mind are Syracuse (built a dome), Pitt (now plays at Heinz Field) and Miami (did not own the Orange Bowl (now demolished)). College basketball venues are a different story. Maryland, NC State, UNC, Louisville, Pitt and others have moved from historic venues to newer hoop heavens.
I would like to see Cole become a sometimes venue for Terps basketball and if Maryland fans get lucky enough, a home to Terrapin ice hockey in the B1G.
The new athletic department is actually inventive enough to make some changes. I know that once Debbie (Chairman) Yow moved the team to Comcast Center, she was not going to play any throwback games in Cole.
Mark Turgeon wants to play a game in Cole every year. Link provided below to Washington Post story. I think it is a great idea.
Maybe Kevin Anderson (athletic director) and Tim McMurray (new head of Terp Club) can make Maryland’s Pride and heritage work for the Terps.
(See Washington Post Story by Alex Prewitt http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/terrapins-insider/wp/2013/09/24/mark-turgeon-wants-to-play-in-cole-field-house-once-each-season/).