Apology Accepted . . .but overdue. This past Spring, Clay Kallam, the publisher of the generally very well-regarded on-line Full Court Press: The Women's Basketball Journal ("FCP") published what could only be described by these two Maryland fans as a real hatchet job on Brenda Frese and her alleged "unethical" recruiting practices. He stated that Maryland was likely to be put on probation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. This, in the BasketCases' opinion, was far worse than the rumors repeated by some other journalists, because it not only accused Coach Frese of unspecified violations, but it convicted and sentenced her! Well, guess what? Today the lead story on FCP is titled "Maryland and Frese Were Wronged By FCP"

When a reputable publication like FCP states that a college program is likely to be put on probation, who knows what ripple effect this could have? In his apology, Clay says of his accusation that "it seems it had no impact on Maryland's ability to recruit." Frankly, the BasketCases aren't sure how Clay can know that with any certainty. No doubt Clay hopes it's true for the sake of his conscience, as do we for other reasons altogether. But really, who knows?

Though Clay never identified the source of the accusations against the Maryland program, famous coaches of long-established women's programs were most frequently mentioned in message board chatter as the culprits. It must be hard for the old guard to adjust to today's new, more level playing field . . . where talented players might affirmatively choose to play for a young charismatic coach --- like Sherri Coale of Oklahoma for instance, or like Brenda Frese of our own Maryland --- instead of for one of the handful of programs with long-standing, "proven" track records. Well, it's a new world. And thank goodness it is.

To Clay Kallam: the BasketCases say "apology accepted."

To those coaches who may have been the source of untoward and unwarranted accusations: "Get over yourselves!"