May 13, 2005

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois Head Women's Basketball Coach Theresa Grentz today announced the promotion of Marsha Frese to Associate Head Coach.

The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Frese earned Miss Iowa basketball in 1990 and graduated from Rice University as the school's all-time three-point leader. After a career in television, Frese returned to the sport she loves at Ball State and has become one of the more respected recruiters in the country.

Frese, a member of the Illinois staff for the past two seasons and a veteran in the coaching profession, has spearheaded two top-25 recruiting classes in Champaign. The incoming freshman class of forward Tori Arndt, point guard Lori Bjork, forward Chelsea Gordon, guard Danielle Gratton, center Erin McCarthy, and forward Lacey Simpson was ranked no. 18 nationally and no. 2 in the Big Ten by "i>Blue Star Report.

Frese as been a major cog in rebuilding at every recruiting stop. She came to Illinois from Maryland, where she served as the recruiting coordinator and helped sign the 10th best recruiting class in 2003 according Blue Star . Frese began her coaching career at Ball State in 1999 where she helped orchestrate back-to-back winning seasons. Then at Minnesota she helped turn a Minnesota program that had finished 8-20 the year before and not only led the Gophers to a 22-8 record the following season, but helped garner the 15th best class in the nation.

Illinois returned to the post-season in 2005 and posted a 17-13 overall record. The Illini will return next year with nine players that Frese, along with assistant coach Chris Mennig, helped recruit, including shooting sensation Meghan Nyquist who missed the 2005 season with a knee injury. They join a veteran group that includes Janelle Hughes, Brittney Daugherty, and Audrey Tabon.

"Marsha has really invested herself in the Illinois program the last two years," Grentz said. "She is a tireless worker and the point person for our recruiting efforts. Marsha has shown a great desire to be a major player in the coaching ranks, and we are pleased to have her represent the University of Illinois."

"As a member of the Illini staff, I have seen the progress and growth of our program over the last two seasons both on and off the court," Frese said. " We have only one goal -- to return Illinois women's basketball to a national championship level and to help guide the young women in our program to be the best students and members of the community that they can become. The work has been a challenge, but it's been extremely rewarding to see the progress our team has made. I'd like to thank Ron Guenther and Coach Grentz for their confidence in me. Their belief in me and my abilities means a great deal, and I'm excited to be part of the Illini family in this new capacity."