Early Success at UMD:
Coach and Athletic Supporter
Harry Clifton Byrd maintained an avid interest in University of Maryland athletics throughout his days as a faculty member, administrator, and president on the College Park campus. Officially returning to the university late in 1912, he first appeared in the 1913-14 course catalog as an instructor in English and an assistant in physical culture. The following year, he became director of physical culture, while retaining his responsibilities in English. Byrd served as director of athletics several times through the years until 1935, when he served jointly as vice president and acting president of the university. Byrd also took over as head coach of the football team when he returned in 1912, only relinquishing the reins to Jack Faber in 1935 when he rose to the top-most level of the campus's administration; he continued to maintain close ties to the football team throughout his presidency.
Byrd was also well known for his leadership role in the formation of the Southern Conference in 1921 and the breakaway of seven schools from that organization in 1953 to form the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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Byrd on the sidelines during a football game, 1916. His record as football coach was 122 wins, 86 losses, and 16 ties.
Photo by Kenneth Grace, from the personal papers of Harry Clifton Byrd.
Byrd as athletic director, c. 1920. He served in this capacity from 1913 to 1935 and his appointment as acting president.
Byrd turned over his football head coaching responsibilities to Jack Faber (shown here at left) in 1935. Al Heagy (with his back to the camera) assisted Faber with the team.
Photo by Jackie Martin, from the Sterling Byrd Collection.
Byrd maintained close ties to the football team throughout his tenure at the university. Here he poses with head coach Jim Tatum and his 1951 squad, which went on to an undefeated season and a victory in the 1952 Sugar Bowl.
From the records of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Felt patch and game ball from the 1948 Gator Bowl, the Terps’ first foray into post-season play. Although the game ended in a 20-20 tie with Georgia, it was undoubtedly one of Byrd’s proudest moments.
From the records of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
(left to right) Governor Theodore McKeldin, head football coach Jim Tatum, Judge William P. Cole, Jr., chair of the Board of Regents, and President Harry Clifton Byrd with the national football championship trophy, 1953.
From the Joe Blair Collection.
Certificate recognizing the Terrapins’ 1953 national football championship under Byrd’s presidency.
From the personal papers of Harry Clifton Byrd.
First minutes of the organization that became known as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and transcript of the telegram authorizing the University of Maryland’s withdrawal from the Southern Conference. President Byrd played a major role in the defection of seven teams from the Southern Conference to form the ACC, chafing at the conference’s restrictions on post-season play in football.
Click here to view the full version of the first ACC minutes.
From the records of the University of Maryland System President’s Office.