For Brenda Frese, March Madness in 2021 carried a deeper meaning. That year, she revealed that her father, Bill Frese, was battling prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones. “We had 89 wonderful years with my dad,” shared Frese at the time. “We were not ready to let him go.”

Her father had always been her biggest supporter, from attending childhood games to watching nearly every Maryland matchup she coached. One of her most cherished memories was the 2020 Big Ten Tournament, when her father had the chance to cut down the nets after Maryland’s victory. But the battle ended with Bill losing his life on January 16, 2022. However, this wasn’t the first time cancer had touched the head coach’s family. Though this time, the battle had a winner, too.

Who Is Brenda Frese’s Son, Tyler Frese? What Type of Cancer Was He Diagnosed With?

The other survivor of this battle is Brenda Frese’s son, Tyler Thomas. It all started back in 2010, when the University of Maryland women’s basketball coach faced a battle far greater than anything on the court—one that no parent ever wants to fight.

At just two years old, Tyler was diagnosed with childhood leukemia. From that moment, life became about more than just coaching games and leading a program—it became about hospital visits, treatments, and the fight to save her son’s life. But through it all, Frese remained remarkably positive and strong.

She has spoken about Tyler’s battle with an unwavering belief that he would win against the disease. But behind closed doors, one can only imagine the tears, the fear, and the quiet moments of doubt she and her husband, Mark Thomas, must have faced. Because when it comes to the pain of a sick child, no loss on the basketball court could ever compare.

Yet, despite the hardship, Frese has always chosen hope over fear, strength over sorrow—a testament to the fighter both she and her son truly are.

Is Tyler Frese Cancer-Free Now? How Old Is He?

There’s no doubt that hearing the words “Your child has cancer” was a nightmare beyond comprehension for Brenda Frese. But despite his young age, Tyler lived up to every expectation his mother had for him. After years of treatment, uncertainty, and a fight that no child should ever have to endure, the mother-son duo won their battle.

By December 2013, when Tyler was just five years old, he received the news they had been hoping for—it was his final round of chemotherapy. Just a couple of hours later, it was complete. And with that, he had officially entered remission. From that moment on, Tyler has remained cancer-free.

While his grandfather lost his battle, Tyler won, and this victory is cherished by his family every single day. Fast forward to today—Tyler turned 17 years old in February 2025. Now a teenager, he and his twin brother, Markus, are fully immersed in high school life, where basketball plays a significant role. A love for the game that they likely inherited from their mother.

Their mother, always open about their journey, reflected in a 2024 Instagram post: “Tyler beat cancer in 2015. We truly take each day as a precious gift as we move forward & will never take a day for granted.” For the Frese family, the battle may be behind them, but the lessons of resilience and gratitude will always remain.

How Maryland Women’s Basketball Took the Fight Against Cancer Beyond the Court

For Brenda Frese, cancer isn’t just a cause—it’s personal. After watching her son Tyler battle leukemia, she knew she had to do more than just coach basketball—she wanted to make a difference. So, in 2016, Maryland Women’s Basketball took their fight beyond the court, teaming up with Play4TheCure, a fundraising platform for the National Foundation for Cancer Research.

Their mission was clear: Raise awareness, raise funds, and support the families still fighting. “There are so many great reasons to play and support this game, and fighting cancer is at the top of the list,” Frese said. “Our own experience with our son opened our eyes to this critical cause. It’s a battle we must continue until every family has a happy ending.”

And what better way to make an impact than by turning the spotlight on the cause? During the final game of the 2016 season, Maryland used their platform to raise awareness about cancer. Frese and her team encouraged the community to donate, participate, and stand with those affected.

For Frese and her team, the message was clear: This fight isn’t over until every family gets their happy ending.

And for Brenda Frese—at least in one case—it did.