Friday, May 15, 2009

The book drops today - Maryland Football history by John McNamara

John McNamara's second book on the Maryland Terrapins drops today.

His first book is Cole Classics!, which sold out.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND HISTORY DETAILED IN FOOTBALL VAULT®

The legends and magic moments of Maryland football down through the years has been uniquely captured in words, historic photographs and replica memorabilia over the 144 pages of the University of Maryland® Football Vault®: The History Of The Terrapins®,” produced by Whitman Publishing of Atlanta.

The building of the Terrapins program from the very first game in 1892 through the 1953 national title team to the present-day success behind current coach Ralph Friedgen is chronicled by longtime Maryland sportswriter John McNamara.

This “scrapbook” of Maryland football history combines stories about the legendary names — Harry C. “Curley” Byrd, Jack Scarbath, Dick Modzelewski, Jim Tatum, Jerry Claiborne, Boomer Esiason, E.J. Henderson, Randy White and many others — and famous games with never-before-published photos, artwork and colorful replica memorabilia drawn from Maryland’s athletic department and campus archives.

Highlights of the rare replica memorabilia enclosed in the University of Maryland® Football Vault® include: A 1911 team photo, a 1920 fundraising brochure for the first Byrd Stadium, a 1940 schedule card, a set of 1950s Maryland decals, a 1960 poster featuring Gary Collins, a 1992 Maryland football centennial sticker, a 1980s-style felt replica Maryland pennant, several famous game program covers made into postcards and full-sized tickets from important games dating back to 1919.

The book’s foreword is provided by legendary Terps radio play-by-play announcer Johnny Holliday, who wrote, “This coming season will be my 31st behind the microphone as ‘Voice of the Terrapins.’ The past 30 seasons hold so many magical moments of Maryland football that many of you may have stored them away in your memory bank. Well, those memories will be rekindled by this incredible book.”

Friedgen, a former player who became head coach, wrote the book’s afterword. “The University of Maryland® Football Vault® chronicles those accomplishments in a way that is both descriptive and eye catching,” he said. “Whether you want to relive the past or learn about it, the University of Maryland® Football Vault® has it all.”

The University of Maryland® Football Vault®: The History of the Terrapins® is part of the College Vault Books series from Whitman Publishing. The hardcover 12” by 10” book with slipcase is available for $49.95 in bookstores. The book can also be ordered online at http://www.collegevaultbooks.com/.