COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland head coach Brenda Frese was awarded the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year award presented by TiE-DC on Tuesday night, along with men's recipient George Mason's Jim Larranaga. TiE-DC recognizes the outstanding contributions both have made to the region's image and economy, as well as, their leadership in maximizing their resources to achieve success on a national level.

TiE-DC's Entrepreneur of the Year award is presented to honor individuals whose contributions to our region's economy and community result in improving the business climate, attracting positive attention to the national capital region and whose courageous leadership inspires the community of entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C., area. The TiE-DC celebrated the excitement that Coach Frese and Coach Larranaga have brought to our region by honoring the two in a Gala and letting them tell their stories of success which are applicable to the region's entrepreneurs.

Both Frese and Larranaga achieved national success this season, with Frese leading the Terps women's basketball team to the program's first-ever NCAA title. Larranaga guided his Patriots to the program's first Final Four appearance.

TiE (The Innovation Ecosystem, Fostering Entrepreneurship) is a recognized leader in promoting entrepreneurship in the region. The organization passionately believes entrepreneurship is the key to economic development/job growth and has put forward both agenda to expand the base of entrepreneurs, surface new business opportunities by industry sector/emerging platforms and enhance management training to increase the likelihood of success.