Coach Brenda Frese said the motto for this year’s Terrapins women’s basketball team is “Twice as much fun.” But that theme means more than just how much fun her players will be having on the court.
That’s because Frese, who led the program to its first national title in 2006, is 21 weeks pregnant with twins. Her due date is March 11, which falls between the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
“It’s not just about me or coaching; there is a bigger picture out there,” Frese said. “Hopefully, it’s just an added dimension to what I’m about.”
When Frese told the team of her pregnancy at the first team meeting in the fall, many players jumped up and down in celebration.
“I was so excited,” said senior forward Jade Perry. “I wish I could be here a couple more years just to see her kids grow.”
“I’m just really excited for her,” said junior guard Kristi Toliver. “It will be nice to have two new Terp fans walking around.”
Even though the team has two new assistant coaches, Frese said that when it comes time, the staff will be able to manage added responsibilities.
When asked if she thought if it would be possible to give birth and coach on the same day, like coach Carol Russell of Division II squad Nebaska-Kearney did last year, Frese said, “no way.”
“I fully expect it to be longer than a regular delivery,” said Frese on how long she anticipates being off the sidelines after giving birth. “I want to get back to the team and season as soon as I can.”
At the moment. there is no definitive answer as to who will take over when Frese is gone.
“Obviously coach [Daron] Park is a big part of what takes place on the floor,” Frese said. “For coach [Diane] Richardson and coach [Erica] Floyd, it puts more on them in terms of the recruiting end when I’m going to be limited from going out.”
“The nice thing about this staff is that while there are certain roles and certain responsibilities, everyone pitches in because the whole goal of the program is just to win,” Park said. “Once that point comes, hopefully the boat is just kind of running itself.”
Helping to lessen the on-the-floor impact of Frese’s pregnancy is that there are only five games in February and the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament are being hosted at Comcast Center.
“A lot of outsiders look at it as a negative thing,” said senior forward Laura Harper. “In fact, we have rallied behind her, and if anything, we have stayed extra focused.”
The veteran leadership on the squad, which includes four starters from the 2006 national title team, was also cited as a reason for why Frese’s pregnancy won’t be a big distraction.
“We have eight upperclassmen with a lot of experience,” said senior center Crystal Langhorne. “With the staff [Frese] has hired, I’m pretty sure that even if she has to go out for a little bit that we’ll be okay.”
“We’re older now,” Harper said. “We don’t need to be babied along as much anymore because we know the ropes and now it’s just about reiterating what she’s instilled in us.”
Even though she may miss some of the season, Frese is grateful for the response she has gotten from the team so far.
“Their reaction is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Frese said. “It really goes to show through all of this just how excited we are to welcome and have our kids come in and be part of this program.”
akrautdbk@gmail.com
