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Anne Turkos
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Q.On Oct. 1, 1972, at 12:01, I, as head referee, tossed the ball for the start of Midnight Madness. Playing in that game were Len Elmore, John Lucas and Tom McMillen, and the coach was “Lefty”! If my memory is correct, it followed a Count Basie concert. Was this the official first Midnight Madness? —Bob Schiller
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Former Maryland men’s basketball coach Lefty Driesell began Midnight Madness, a Terps tradition marking the official start of basketball practice. |
A.We date the beginnings of Midnight Madness to 1971, when the first practice of the season consisted of a run around the track inside Byrd Stadium shortly after the clock struck midnight on October 14. The game that you refereed—which took place Oct. 15, 1972—must then be the first time they scrimmaged at midnight.
Questions for Anne Turkos, university archivist for University Libraries, may be sent to terpmag@umd.edu.
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