Anatomy of a Testudo CAN TOLERATE 100-DEGREE TEMPERATURES inside costume
LIFE AS A GIANT TURTLE MASCOT ISN’T FOR THE SOFT-SHELLED . Testudo is the walking—but not talking—embodiment of Terp spirit, cheering on our sports teams, clowning around at campus events and doling out hugs and handshakes. It’s a lot of responsibility for the three to six students who don the costume each year. Cheerleading coach Jamie Little ‘01, Testudo’s supervisor of sorts, shared a few of the unique skills that a Terp mascot-in-waiting must have:
HAS AN OPEN SOCIAL SCHEDULE Testudo appears at every football and basketball game and at many other athletic events. He sometimes gets hired for parties, bar mitvahs and weddings, too.
BARRELS FOR THE BAY Students Help County Alleviate Stormwater Runoff Problems BY KAREN SHIH
Prince George’s County Councilman Eric Olson M.A. ’95 knew rain barrels were a good idea for watering lawns and gardens, saving homes from flood damage and keeping the Chesapeake Bay clean. But he wasn’t sure how to set up a local rain barrel program. He turned to the University of Maryland Extension, where two students conducted a semester-long study that prompted the county to allocate $30,000 for rain barrel rebates this year. “It’s an easy way for residents to help with stormwater runoff issues, and a good intern project for students to contribute to the community,” Olson says.
Gabrielle Rovegno, a junior environmental science and technology major, and graduate student Mallori McDowell, with the marine and estuarine environmental science program, studied programs throughout the state and the country. They also met with community leaders and residents to gauge interest in rain barrels. Since presenting their results, they’ve started conducting workshops to teach county residents how to install and use them. “I’m really invested now,” Rovegno says. “I want to spread the word and get students to use them too.”
CAN GO WITHOUT SPEAKING for hours
ENJOYS THE ADULATION OF THOUSANDS IS SUPER PHYSICALLY FIT Testudo constantly climbs up and down stairs at Byrd and Comcast.
HAS FABULOUS DANCE MOVES and acting chops BRAVES THE PAPARAZZI and is patient with people struggling with cameras
CAN SOOTHE THE OCCASIONAL TODDLER frightened of costume (à la Santa or the Easter Bunny)
SEE TESTUDO IN ACTION AT A 2012-13 MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME—AT A DISCOUNT!
MASCOTS WANTED Coach Little is still recruiting Testudos. Do you know any students who might be up to the job? Visit www. marylandcheerleading.com/ testudo.aspx for details.
Looking to stay up to date on the latest Terp news? We have the solution: UMDRightNow. umd.edu, the university’s just-launched news site. It features a video gallery and resources for members of the media, as well as the latest athletics news. Visit often to find out what’s happening Right Now. 2 btc DECEMBER 2012
IS CAPABLE OF STEALTH IDENTITY CHANGES A student wearing Testudo’s costume remains anonymous.
Testudo photo by John T. Consoli /rain barrel illustration by Kelsey Marotta
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Game: $10 8 p.m. Dec. 12 v. Monmouth Winter Break Faculty/Staff Special Offers: $15 8 p.m. Dec. 21 v. Stony Brook Women’s basketball: Faculty/staff receive free admission to all women's basketball games, with ID *Learn more about staff and faculty ticket pricing by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at 301.314.7070. Also look for info in campus mail.
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