---
title: Accelerating Terrapin Pride through Athletics and the Arts
date: 2025-09-08T11:26:00-04:00
author: Bradley Bower
canonical_url: "https://provost.umd.edu/news/accelerating-terrapin-pride-through-athletics-and-the-arts"
section: News
---
# Accelerating Terrapin Pride through Athletics and the Arts

*September 8, 2025* — by Bradley Bower
> As your university leaders, we are filled with tremendous pride as we watch our campus join together at the start of a new school year. We are reminded that our academic mission unites us, as we also build meaningful and lasting connections through experiences that inspire us beyond the classroom. One powerful way to achieve this is through celebrating the arts and supporting our Terrapin student-athletes.  

Fellow Terrapins,  
  
As your university leaders, we are filled with tremendous pride as we watch our campus join together at the start of a new school year. We are reminded that our academic mission unites us, as we also build meaningful and lasting connections through experiences that inspire us beyond the classroom. One powerful way to achieve this is through celebrating the arts and supporting our Terrapin student-athletes.   
  
We invite you to immerse yourself in the energy, excitement and impact that our artists, performers and athletes bring to campus as this new year begins.

**Experience the Arts**  
Tomorrow marks the start of [NextNOW Fest](https://theclarice.umd.edu/events/nextnow-fest-2025), a signature event of our [Arts for All](https://arts.umd.edu/) initiative. The annual arts festival, presented and produced by The Clarice, is a collaborative celebration built in partnership with UMD student groups, academic departments and local and touring artists. Gather your friends and colleagues and enjoy free concerts, comedy acts, visual showcases and theatrical productions, all part of our lively arts scene. The festival runs through Sept. 16 and is just one of the countless ways you can engage with the arts throughout the year through Arts for All. Students also receive free tickets to most events at The Clarice year-round. There are nearly 50 [student-led arts events](https://arts.umd.edu/students/student-arts-organizations) on campus and 40 [creative and performing arts student groups](https://stamp.umd.edu/get_involved/student_org_resource_center_sorc/get_involved/second_look_fair/organization_list), offering rich opportunities to experience and engage in the arts and support fellow Terps.

**Cheer on Our Terp Teams**  
The fall sports season is now underway, and we encourage you to take part in the action. Football fans can experience the excitement of Terpsville this Saturday, Sept. 13, as we take on Towson at SECU Stadium. Tickets are always free for students, and faculty and staff have until the end of today to [request two free tickets to this game](https://app.umterps.com/F25FSTicketClaim). In addition, several sports, including cross country, field hockey and tennis, offer [free admission](https://umterps.com/sports/2018/6/13/free-admission-sports) to all Terp fans throughout the season. In addition to intercollegiate athletics, we have a remarkable [club sports program](https://recwell.umd.edu/programs-activities/club-sports) with 47 teams that compete nationally. Come cheer them on, too!

**Wear Your Terrapin Pride**  
Throughout the year, we invite you to participate in our **Maryland Fridays** tradition by proudly wearing red, black and gold each Friday. It's a simple but powerful way for everyone to join together and celebrate what makes the University of Maryland a place we are proud to call home.

These artistic and athletic experiences showcase excellence. We look forward to seeing you out there, cheering, celebrating and discovering.

Thank you for being a part of our family. Go Terps!

Sincerely,


**Darryll Pines Signature**

**Darryll J. Pines**  
*President, University of Maryland*




**Signature of Jennifer King Rice**

**Jennifer King Rice**  
*Senior Vice President and Provost*




**Jim Smith's Signature**

**Jim Smith**  
*Director of Athletics*




**Patty Perrillo Signature**

**Patricia A. Perillo**  
*Vice President for Student Affairs*