History
Coach Curley Byrd sought funds for a stadium from 1915; it was completed in 1923 for $60,000, opening with a 53-0 win over Randolph-Macon and dedicated on November 24. Maryland played most home games there through 1947, taking major games to Griffith Stadium or Baltimore.
The larger Byrd Stadium (now SECU Stadium) replaced it in 1950, and the old stadium was razed in 1953.
Why it matters: Maryland's first football stadium.
Timeline
- November 24, 1923Dedication[1]
The stadium was dedicated at a Homecoming game, a 40-6 win over Catholic University.
- 1944First night game[1]
The first night game in College Park was played against Hampden-Sydney.
- 1950Replaced[1]
The larger Byrd Stadium replaced the old stadium.
- 1953Razed[1]
The original stadium was razed.
The site today
| Physical status | Site redeveloped[1] |
|---|---|
| Current use | University of Maryland fraternity row[1] |
| Mapped location | Former venue site |
Street View near the former site · Satellite view (external, current imagery)
Teams & events
| Maryland Terrapins | NCAA · 1923–1947 |
|---|
Listed here are organizations that used this physical venue. A franchise's history and a venue's history are tracked separately.
Venue facts
| Other names | Byrd Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | College Park, Maryland |
| Venue type | Stadium |
| Sports | Football |
| Level | NCAA |
| Opened | 1923[1] |
| Last used for sports | 1947[1] |
| Demolished | 1953[1] |
| Physical status | Site redeveloped |
| Final capacity | 5,000[1] |
| Construction cost | $60,000 |
| Closure | Replaced by the larger Byrd Stadium (1950). |
Sources
- Old Byrd Stadium, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: capacity, closed, coordinates, current land use, demolished, events, opened
Research confidence
Some facts on this page rely on a single source or are still being corroborated. Treat specific dates and figures with care. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.
Where sources disagree (1)
- Wikipedia's infobox gives the closing year as '1947 or 1949'; the 1948 home games were at Griffith Stadium.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.