Maryland and Navy Come to Terms

After months of contentious negotiations, the University of Maryland has finally come to terms with the Naval Academy, agreeing to renew acquaintances on the football field.

The Terrapins will face the Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for the 2010 season opener. Provided attendance for the game surpasses 60,000, both teams will earn $1.4 million as part of the deal.

The two schools were regular competitors during the 1950s and 60s. But the rivalry ended in 1963 and remained dormant until 2005 when the two squads drew 67,809 fans to M&T Bank Stadium. The Terps prevailed that day, edging their Navy counterparts 23-20.

Considering the overwhelming success of the 2005 contest, it only seemed natural the two schools would rekindle their rivalry, but financial concerns and hurt feelings seemed to derail the entire process. Maryland athletic director Deborah A. Yow and Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk went back and forth in the papers, with Yow even stating Maryland had moved on and was seeking a new opponent. Many feared the deal was dead until the day the announcement was made. But however ugly the process was, at least the end result was beautiful.

Both schools signed separate agreements with the Baltimore Ravens organization, which manages events at M&T Bank Stadium. Typically, the site would only sign a deal with the home team, but since both schools are local, contracts were signed with each. And since Navy was designated the home team in the 2005 contest, Maryland will be the home club in 2010.