April 12, 2012

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham women's basketball team received some good news this week when the NCAA granted Marah Strickland a hardship waiver which gives her a sixth year of eligibility. She will be able to participate immediately in Fordham's offseason program and will suit up for the 2012-13 season, her final year of NCAA eligibility.

Strickland, a Mt. Airy, Maryland native, began her collegiate career at nearby College Park with the University of Maryland where she played from 2007-2009. In her two seasons with the Terrapins, she started 59 of 70 games and averaged 8.6 points per game. She earned ACC All-Freshman Honorable Mention after ranking second in the league in three-point field goal percentage (.407) and tenth in three pointers made per game (1.54) and she listed among the top ten at Maryland in career three pointers attempted and made.

After her stay at Maryland, Strickland transferred to South Carolina for the 2010-2011 campaign where she saw action in 19 games and reached double-figures in scoring nine times. Strickland totaled 158 points for the Gamecocks, an average of 8.8 ppg.

Coach Gaitley reflected on the decision,"We are all very excited to learn that Marah will be playing next year. She was an outstanding addition on the sideline as a leader and now we look forward to her being a major contributor on the court. She was a very highly recruited player coming out of high school and has developed her game over the last few years. She will have an immediate impact.

These appeals do not come easily. I would like to thank the Fordham administration for all their efforts and the NCAA for rewarding this young lady for something she truly deserves."

Strickland came to Fordham for the 2011-12 school year as a graduate student pursuing a Master's Degree in Urban Studies.