Testudo (mascot)

In 1932, Curley Byrd—who served as the university's football and baseball coach, athletic director, and president—proposed adopting the diamondback terrapin as a mascot.

The first statue of Testudo cast in bronze was donated by the Class of 1933 and displayed on Baltimore Avenue in front of Ritchie Coliseum.

[1] One such incident occurred in 1947 when students from Johns Hopkins University stole the bronze statue and moved it to their campus.

Testudo was later filled with 700 pounds of cement and fastened to his pedestal to prevent future removals, but students at rival schools continued to vandalize it.

[14][15] A costumed version of Testudo represents the school at some sporting events both at home and away, including football and men's basketball.