University of Maryland suspends club tennis program over racist imagery

The University of Maryland has suspended its club tennis program following the discovery of racist imagery in tournament materials. The documents, which were distributed electronically to regional collegiate teams—including Howard University—featured a graphic incorporating symbols resembling Ku Klux Klan hoods into a representation of the Maryland state flag.

University officials condemned the materials and issued apologies to the affected teams. The club tennis team was required to forfeit its matches during the fall tournament. In response to the incident, the university’s Recreation and Wellness department announced a new policy requiring staff approval for all external communications from club sports.

On Thursday, students disrupted President Darryll Pines’ State of Campus address to protest the administration’s response. Organized by groups including the Nyumburu Cultural Center, GetFree UMD Pod, and the Black Student Union, protesters demanded the naming and expulsion of the members responsible for distributing the imagery. The demonstrators used the hashtag #kkkfreeumd to publicize their movement.