Ban on straws at Byrd Stadium and the Comcast Center:

According to Major Sparks of the University of Maryland Police Department, "This initiative was instituted [in August of 2001] in response to unsafe behavior on the part of UMD sporting event patrons. Specifically, a small segment of attendees utilized the sealed cups as missiles, throwing them at other patrons and officials and players on the field. This created a dangerous condition that warranted a proactive response to improve the safety and security of all attendees at UMD sporting events. This response included increased enforcement by the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety to curtail the throwing of missiles at sporting events and in rendering the missile of choice, full drink cups, less effective. The effectiveness of using the cup as a projectile was positively impacted by forcing patrons to remove the lids of cups, thereby compromising the ability of the cup to remain sealed as it was thrown, spilling its contents before striking other patrons [sic].".

UDPATE:

Because of numerous requests on the part of fans to return straws to stadium concessions for not only convenience, but also the poor message that the policy sends other schools about our fans, we asked fans to email Major Sparks and encourage an end to the ban. Just prior to the Homecoming game against N.C. State, Campus Police decided to allow straws to be distributed by stadium concessions once again. Terrapin Nation would like to thank everyone who took the time to petition Campus Police.