# UMD Athletics agrees to First Amendment training

> Student journalists get First Amendment training after police confrontation.
- Title: UMD Athletics agrees to First Amendment training · The Banner
- Summary: Student journalists get First Amendment training after police confrontation. UMD Athletics agrees to First Amendment training with FIRE following student…
- Keywords: umd athletics, first amendment, student journalists, testudo times, michael locksley, fire, umaryland police, news, local, UMD, Athletics, agrees
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/education/higher-education/umd-athletics-training-CZA7R5WKJRGJDJPXR5XENHIPFA
- Author: Sara Ruberg
- Published: 2026-10-23T22:24:53.565+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: umd athletics, first amendment, student journalists, testudo times, michael locksley, fire, umaryland police, news, local
## UMD Athletics agrees to training
UMD Athletics Department agreed to receive First Amendment training from FIRE after student journalists were confronted by campus police.
## Student journalists questioned by police
Student journalists Nolan Rogalski and Jude Wilkenfeld were reported to police for 'suspicious activity' while interviewing football players.
## Police confrontation at Jones-Hill House
An officer took down student IDs and told journalists to leave after snapping photos without speaking.
## FIRE to conduct training
FIRE will train UMD Athletics staff on student journalists' rights and First Amendment principles.
## Student journalists' response
Rogalski thanked UMD for commitment to First Amendment education.

> Rogalski said in a text message that he was 'grateful Maryland’s athletic department has committed itself to education on better respecting the First Amendment.'
## UMD security concerns
UMD cited heightened safety concerns around football program after recent incidents.
## Key takeaway

UMD Athletics agrees to First Amendment training with FIRE following student journalists being reported to police for 'suspicious activity' while interviewing football coach Michael Locksley.