Marah Strickland is ready for the pressure of trying to lead Maryland to its second national title in three years. But in the meantime, she has bigger concerns: passing her classes in film narrative and sports in America.
The former Towson Catholic guard joined the rest of the women’s basketball team’s five-member freshman class for summer school at College Park. The players followed a growing trend of student-athletes who take classes prior to the fall semester to get acclimated with college life and to get a head start on the upcoming season.
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“This time in the summer is very important,” Strickland said. “We see how close the upperclassmen are as a group, and we want to be that close as well because we want to build on the success they started.”
Freshman guard Kim Rodgers said enrolling in summer school is an excellent way to become familiar with the campus and work with the team’s strength and conditioning coaches in a less stressful environment. She is also looking forward to meeting her new teammates, who are eager to put last year?s devastating loss to Mississippi in the second-round of the NCAA Tournament behind them.
“This is a great way to bond as a team,” Rodgers said. “This is one of the most exciting places to play. The program has done so well, and we want to continue to build that up.”
Less than two years removed from a national championship, the Terrapins experienced the largest increase in attendance in Division I women?s basketball last season. An average of 9,533 fans attended 16 home games last season after the team averaged 5,263 the previous year.
Strickland is eager to play in front of large crowds at the Comcast Center, knowing the atmosphere surrounding women?s basketball is much different than when her sister, Marche, played for the Terrapins from 1999 to 2002.
“When my sister played, the games were at Cole Field House, and you could just walk in and find a seat,” Strickland said. “Now, there is so much excitement surrounding the team.”
Terps coach Brenda Frese said getting the freshmen on campus during the summer helps lay the foundation for the upcoming year. Maryland is looking to rebound from a disappointing finish to a stellar 28-6 season.
“Getting here now is a huge advantage for these players,” Frese said. “They get a solid understanding about what to expect both athletically and academically.”
MARYLAND NOTES
» Strickland and Rodgers were named to the Parade All-American second team. Fellow freshmen Anjale Barrett and Drey Mingo earned third- and fourth-team honors, respectively.
» Maryland ranked sixth in the country last season in average attendance (9,533). National champion Tennessee ranked first (14,678).
» Maryland?s average attendance has increased more than 500 percent since the 2001-02 season when the team averaged 1,681 per game.
