Football team bans scooters

The new Terrapin football coaching staff has banned players from owning motorized scooters, several members of the team confirmed last night.

Coach Randy Edsall informed players of his decision Jan. 23, one day before the start of spring classes. The ban, which was to be enacted immediately, follows a harrowing fall for the team that saw three players injured in two separate scooter-related accidents.

Offensive tackle Pete DeSouza broke both his legs in late October when his scooter was hit by a car near the intersection of Campus Drive and Union Lane, leaving the redshirt freshman in critical condition and requiring season-ending surgery the next morning.

In an interview last night, DeSouza said the team does not oppose the measure.

"[Edsall] just wants to keep us safe. He's a new coach; you have to follow his rules," said DeSouza, who is expected to make a full recovery. "I don't think anyone was mad. Everyone just wants to win, so we'll follow his rules."

Less than two months after DeSouza's accident last fall, cornerback Dexter McDougle and defensive end Isaiah Ross were involved in another on-campus scooter crash on Regents Drive. While Ross was unharmed, McDougle broke his clavicle in the accident and was unable to participate in the Terps' Military Bowl victory in late December.

A team spokesman could not confirm the ban — which is expected to apply only to football — when contacted yesterday.

"I just get rides sometimes. It was convenient," wide receiver Devin Burns said last night. "Most of the guys are selling their scooters."

Terrapin baseball pitcher Chuck Ghysels said he would oppose a similar rule on scooters for his own team. Baseball players, like many student-athletes, often are expected to travel to Comcast Center to receive academic support. The football team's academic support is located more centrally at Gossett Team House.

For those walking to Comcast Center from South Campus after an exhausting day of practice, it can be a long hike.

"I think it's hard for athletes to get around without scooters because of time management," Ghysels said. "I don't agree with that. ... After practice, you're always tired."

Some students, such as freshman government and politics major Richard Russell, said he thought the decision to prohibit scooters came down to money.

"They're kind of employed through the university, they're getting paid to play. ... It costs the school a lot of money when they get injured," he said. "It's a business, college football."

And while DeSouza said he and his teammates will abide by their new coach's requirement — he said he's personally witnessed former scooter riders now walking around the campus — he aims to face his newfound wariness of scooters later in his life.

"I'm going to get back on a scooter later," he said. "The fear is there, so you should try and face your fear."

roubein@umdbk.com, schneider@umdbk.com