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Maryland Football-Related Autographs –Byrd, White, Elkins and Lester.
Lot 138. Maryland Football-Related Autographs –Byrd, White, Elkins and Lester. Harry Clifton Byrd, better known as “Curley,” starred in several sports at what was then the Maryland Agricultural College before he became the football coach in 1912. In 23 seasons, his teams posted a 117-82-15 record as he helped to transform the school into the University of Maryland and to get the diamondback terrapin selected as the school’s mascot. From 1935-54, Byrd served as university president. Under his leadership which, by most accounts was authoritarian, the university grew significantly. In a 1941 biography of the president, Bob Considine called Byrd “the most-hated and most-beloved man in Maryland.” Byrd holds the dubious distinction of having fired Bear Bryant after one season, and a 6-2-1 record, as Maryland’s football coach. The two men had a personality conflict. Byrd’s signature, Harry Clifton Byrd, is huge and bold, a 10, on his personal stationery. Byrd died in 1970. The 1957 signature of Byrd’s successor as Maryland president, Wilson H. Elkins, is on college stationery. The signature is a 10; the stationery is stained at the right. Elkins won eight letters in football, basketball and track at the University of Texas. As president of Maryland until 1978, he increased the schools’ academic standards. He passed away in 1994. The other signatures are by Randy White, 1974 Outland Trophy winner and a member of the pro and college football Halls of Fame, and Roy Lester, football coach from 1969-71. Both signatures are 10s, White’s on an index card and Lester’s on university stationery. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $30.
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