Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

"We are proud to present the Orbitz USA TODAY ESPN WBCA Coaches' Trophy to the Maryland Terrapins," said Beth Bass, WBCA CEO. "It is an honor to take part in the program's first national championship and it is a privilege to see first hand the growth of women's basketball. Congratulations Maryland and coach Brenda Frese!"

The freshly crowned Terrapins' first national championship will definitely be one to remember. After a slow start, Maryland came back to tie the game with seconds to spare. The Terrapins took the lead in overtime to top the Blue Devils for a final score of 78-75.

Following the National Championship presentation, the Terrapins headed over to the Boston Marriott Copley where the team, band, cheerleaders and fans gathered for the presentation of the Orbitz Coaches' Trophy. Amidst all of the excitement and emotions, Orbitz along with the WBCA presented Coach Brenda Frese and the entire Maryland team with the trophy as the fans, cheerleaders and band cheered them on.

The Orbitz Coaches' Trophy is presented by Orbitz in partnership with the WBCA, and is given to the coach of the No. 1 ranked team in the final USA TODAY ESPN Top 25 Division I Coaches Poll. This trophy is the ultimate goal of each Division I team across America, earmarking them as the top team in the nation. The Division I winner will receive the trophy following the NCAA® Women's Final Four®. This marks the 13th year that the trophy will be awarded.

Each year, an artisan at Waterford® Crystal in Ireland spends three months hand-crafting the sparkling basketball that sits atop The Orbitz Coaches Trophy, which is valued at $30,000. The trophy weighs 40 pounds and stands 28 inches tall. The basketball itself weighs approximately 12 pounds.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.