Univ. Of Maryland Football Support Suffers With On-Field Woes

Univ. Of Maryland Seeing Steady Decline In Byrd Stadium Attendance

The Univ. of Maryland (UM) football team's "increasing mediocrity on the field" has coincided with a "steady decline in attendance" at Byrd Stadium, according to a sports-section cover story by Prisbell & Yanda of the WASHINGTON POST. Season-ticket sales "have slowed," while "long-term commitments for new luxury suites have stalled." And the "once-intimidating and raucous venue may be becoming less of a factor for visiting teams." The announced crowd of 43,167 for Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee State was the "smallest Byrd Stadium crowd since 2002," and both home games this season are among the "five smallest Byrd Stadium crowds since the start of the 2003 season." UM data indicates the team's season-ticket sales have "declined each year since the 2005 season," when the team sold 31,661. UM sold just 26,774 this year, even though the school "significantly lowered season ticket prices for seats at the very top of the upper deck." UM coach Ralph Friedgen said, "Obviously they want to come and see a team that is being successful, and I understand that, too." UM Board of Regents member John Young: "I hope that this is the low point and the team starts winning again. That's not to say I don't have a lot of frustration and disappointment over the way it has gone, which I do" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/23).