- May 14, 2025
- More articles By Annie Krakower
- Photo courtesy of University Archives
A CENTURY AGO, lacrosse was a relatively new college sport, but already the University of Maryland’s yearbook joked that the “gentle” in this gentleman’s game “may be very nicely dispensed with.”
The rough-and-tumble Terps, known back then as the Old Liners, had already developed a taste for stuffing Johns Hopkins and Navy and were en route to becoming one of the sport’s most storied and successful programs.
Varsity men’s lacrosse began on campus in 1924, when Maryland joined the new Intercollegiate Lacrosse League’s southern division under coach Reginald Van Trump Truitt. Throughout the following years—with the exceptions of 1944 and 1945, when the Terps didn’t field a team due to World War II—UMD has never posted a losing record, a feat no other major college lacrosse program has accomplished.
“You go anywhere in the world, and people know what Maryland lacrosse is. It means a lot to a lot of people,” says John Tillman, UMD’s ninth and current head coach. “Because of that, there’s a standard that I think all of us feel like we need to uphold and make sure we do our part.”
Through the team’s longtime “Be the Best” mentality, consistent tournament runs and even a historic undefeated campaign, the Terps surged into their 100th season this year. See how they’ve packed the trophy case.
Issue
Spring 2025Types
Campus Life