March 4, 1998

Maryland athletic director Deborah A. Yow Wednesday announced that the contract of women's basketball coach Chris Weller has been extended through the 1998-99 season.

Weller, who just completed her 23rd season as head coach, has led the Terps to 20 winning seasons, 15 postseason tournament appearances, eight ACC titles, and three Final Four showings. Maryland, 15-13 this season, reached the semifinals of the ACC Tournament last week. Weller is 447-221 during her Maryland coaching career.

"Coach Weller has had a long and successful career at Maryland, and we believe that success will continue," said Pat Nicol, assistant athletic director and senior women's administrator, who supervises the women's basketball program. "With an impressive recruiting class already secured, the prospects for the immediate future are bright."

Said Weller, "I'm very proud of how this year's team handled the challenges of the season and allowed us to develop the impetus to move our program back into the highly competitive status it usually holds. I'm also extremely pleased with the support of this administration, and am very much looking forward to integrating our new class of recruits with the returnees and building on the successful foundation of Maryland women's basketball."