University of Maryland President Proposes a Name Change for Byrd Stadium

The president of the University of Maryland, Wallace D. Loh, has recommended a name change for Byrd stadium.

Loh said in his email and letters that the stadium, which is named after former university President Harry Clifton "Curley" Byrd, should be renamed Maryland stadium. He argued that the school should no longer honor Byrd's name because he had worked hard to keep racial segregation and he had promoted "separate but equal" education.

"President Byrd is rightly regarded as 'Father and Builder' of UMD over a 43-year career here, retiring in 1954. He dramatically increased enrollment, faculty, funding, and the size of the campus," President Loh wrote reported by USA TODAY. "He was also an ardent proponent of racial segregation and discrimination. To many African-American alumni and students, 'Byrd Stadium'- the 'front porch' of the institution, not the most important part of the educational house, but the most visible one - conveys a racial message hidden in plain sight."

The push for a name change was started by a coalition of students last spring. After the students started the campaign, Loh created a similar group in September that would be in charge of selecting a new name.

Although Loh believes that the stadium's name should be changed, he is not trying to discredit what Byrd did for the school. Loh stated that Byrd's accomplishments should be acknowledged in one of the school's main libraries.

Loh's request will be heard by the University of Maryland Board of Regents, who will be meeting on Friday to discuss the potential name change.