April 20, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Head coach Brenda Frese has signed a contract extension, director of athletics Deborah A. Yow announced on Friday, extending her existing contract through June of 2013.
"What Coach Frese has achieved during her first five years at Maryland has been extraordinary," said Yow. "Her work ethic, recruiting success, competitive outcomes for our team and the academic results of the student-athletes warranted an extension. She is a Terp - pure and simple. We are blessed she is leading our program."
"When I first came to Maryland, it was a leap of faith. But I believed in Debbie's vision and I'm incredibly grateful she believes in me," said Frese. "I'm so thankful to her, to President Dan Mote and everyone here at Maryland.
"In our short time here, this program has taken advantage of this wonderful university and its great location to create something really special. What's going on here is a credit to the school, the community, our staff, our players and their families. They are all a part of this and I hope plenty more people will want to join in. We have big dreams here and we're going to work hard to see if we can make them all come true."
"Brenda is one of the most outstanding women's basketball coaches in the country," said Senior Associate Athletics Director Larry Leckonby, who oversees the women's basketball program. "We are proud of the accomplishments, on and off the court, and how she has represented the University of Maryland."
In Frese's five seasons at Maryland, the women's basketball program has made significant strides in the national landscape. Under her direction, the Terrapins have made four-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round three times and winning the National Championship in 2006 for the first time ever.
Frese's players have earned ACC Rookie of the Year twice and nine All-ACC honors. Her Terps have also received national recognition - Crystal Langhorne was the first Terrapin in 17 years to be named an All-American in 2006, garnering that status this season again by the Associated Press, United State Basketball Writers Association and Kodak/Women's Basketball Association. Shay Doron, Frese's first recruit at Maryland, was recently drafted by the WNBA's New York Liberty, the first Terp under Frese.
On the recruiting trail, Frese has become known for her work ethic, landing five straight top-10 recruiting classes, including the No. 1 class in the nation this season. Four of the five incoming freshmen were recently named to the Parade All-America team.
Academically, 17 of Frese's players have been named to the ACC Honor Roll for their excellence in the classroom. Her Terps have appeared on the University's Dean's List 17 times. Doron and Langhorne were Academic All-Americans a total of three times, recognizing their academic and athletic achievements.
Frese has led Maryland to three-straight 20-win seasons, including a school-record 34 during the Terps' national championship run, and 112 victories during her tenure.
The Terps went 28-6 last season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight year. Maryland has nine players returning for the 2007-08 campaign with the addition of the number one recruiting class.
Maryland will host the first and second rounds of the 2008 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament in Comcast Center on March 22 and 24 or March 23 and 25.
-TERPS-
