June 23, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland women's basketball assistant coach Marsha Frese has left the Maryland sideline for a return to the Big Ten and her native Midwest roots. Frese recently accepted an assistant coaching position with Illinois after coming to the Terps from Minnesota when her sister, current Maryland head coach Brenda Frese accepted the Terps' head job over one year ago.

"We are saddened to have Marsha leave our basketball family however, the special opportunity that was presented to Marsha and her husband Jason was one that could not be passed over," said Brenda Frese. "It will be a unique opportunity for Marsha to work with one of the pioneer coaches in the sport and give her additional experience in her quest to be a head coach. We wish both her and Jason continued success."

A 1995 graduate of Rice University with a bachelor or arts in communication, Frese joins Illinois head coach Theresa Grentz's staff after stints at Ball State, Minnesota and Maryland.

"Despite being at Maryland only a short time, it was a difficult decision for my husband and I to say goodbye," commented Marsha Frese. "Maryland is an incredible school with so much to offer potential student-athletes. We have both grown very close to the team and we wish everyone in the Maryland basketball family the best of luck in the year to come."

The 2002 AP National Coach of the Year, Brenda Frese is entering her second year as the Terps' head coach. She looks to improve upon Maryland's 10-18 record from this past season with a top notch recruiting class to continue her rebuilding efforts in College Park. An announcement of a replacement for Marsha Frese is forthcoming.