The planned expansion will include additions of an east and west wing to the existing Tyser Tower, including expanded media facilities and 64 suites, 10 of which have already been sold. Plans include expanded locker room facilities, additional bowl seating in the west end zone, a second video board and the reclamation of approximately 3,000 obstructed view seats by the lowering of the playing surface when field turf is installed.

“The phases are privately funded. There is no state funding. All of the dollars will need to be raised,” Yow said. The plan has a timetable of completion for 2010, with an accelerated plan finishing before the 2009 football season.

“The sale of the naming rights [to Chevy Chase Bank] along with loan from system are what allowed us to start the project and move ahead with this stage,” Leckonby said. The start of construction will eliminate some temporary bleacher seating next season at Byrd Stadium, but Friedgen knows the nuisances created by the expansion are well worth the outcome.

“I am really excited about the unveiling of our plans and the realization of Dr. Yow?s and my vision of our football program,” Friedgen said. “If you look back, we have made more improvements in the last 6 years than we have in the history of the program.”

The updated facilities should entice future recruits to play for the Terps, but at the moment Friedgen is concerned with getting his players healthy and avoiding injuries while the Terps finish out the spring.

The Red-White Spring Game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday will be a chance to for Friedgen to see his team, especially his competing quarterbacks in a game situation. Junior Jordan Steffy and sophomores Josh Portis and Chris Turner have been vying for the position, with Steffy holding a slight lead.

“I am anxious to see how they do Saturday, from the perspective of being in the game,” Friedgen said.