May 29, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland senior women's basketball players Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver graduated last week to culminate their collegiate experience prior to the start of their professional basketball careers in the WNBA this summer. During her seven-year tenure at Maryland, all 21 seniors to play under Brenda Frese have earned a degree.
Coleman graduated with a degree in communications while Toliver completed her coursework with a degree in family science. Due to preseason commitments with their professional organizations, the duo was unable to attend graduation ceremonies in College Park.
"I'm really happy for the Coleman and Toliver families," Frese said. "It's something we talk about as a goal in the recruiting process and to see it all the way through is awesome. It's a credit to our student-athletes and our support staff that 100 percent of the seniors we've had in our time at Maryland have graduated. We have a plan for them to get ahead from the first day they walk on campus and many of them have finished their coursework in three-and-a-half years.
"I never lose sight of all the demands that are put on student-athletes at this level and the work it takes for each of them to graduate. Needless to say, I'm incredibly proud of all of them."
Coleman was drafted No. 2 overall in last month's WNBA Draft by Washington, while Toliver followed at No. 3 by Chicago. Coleman, a Cheltenham, Md., native, will play for Washington alongside former Terrapin teammate Crystal Langhorne while Toliver, from Harrisonburg, Va., will suit up for the Chicago Sky.
Washington and Chicago will meet four times in 2009, beginning with a June 27 contest in Chicago.
Seniors to Earn Degrees Under Frese
2003
Terri Daniels, Brie Jackson, Renneika Razor
2004
Vicki Brick, Delvona Oliver, Crystal Washington
2005
Liz Gilchrest, Anesia Smith
2006
Charmaine Carr, Angel Ross
2007
Shay Doron, Aurelie Noirez, Kalika France
2008
Laura Harper, Crystal Langhorne, Christie Marrone, Ashleigh Newman, Jade Perry
2009
Marissa Coleman, Kristi Toliver, Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood
