Tuesday, June 14, 2005 | 9:07 a.m.
Editor's note: Former UNLV All-American Linda Frohlich-Todd keeps readers updated on her basketball career in an occasional guest column she writes exclusively for the Las Vegas Sun.
Mrs. Frohlich-Todd.
Yeah, that's right. I am now off the market, I am a married woman.
I got married a month ago to my long-term boyfriend. It was unexpected even though we were engaged since the Christmas break. So what happened?
Well, it started three months ago. I was in Italy playing basketball, of course. Individually I was having a great season -- I was leading the league in scoring and was fifth in rebounding -- but then around my last two weeks in the season I started to have this pain in my leg. I thought it was no big deal as aches and pains come and go in my profession.
This pain proceeded to get worse and worse to the point it was unbearable for me to play. I tried to play in my last Italian league game even though I shouldn't have. I ended up scoring three points that last game and messed up my scoring average from 18.8 to 18.3, which in turn dropped me to third leading in the league by .3 points.
Man, I still get mad every time I think about that!
Then it was off to Charlotte to compete for the WNBA Charlotte Sting. I got there and I could not run or jump. My leg was killing me more and more. It was so frustrating. One of the reasons I play overseas is to fine-tune my game, so to have a leg injury bring all of that hard work to a halt was awful. So the Sting had to let me go.
Then I went to California to be with my fiance. He cheered me up. I'll never forget what he said to me at the airport: "The WNBA's loss is my gain." He made me feel so special.
There I began rehabbing my leg in California. Being a foreigner and not having health insurance made the whole process just a little bit more complicated, but as time went on I was still rehabbing. But I can't play yet. What makes the situation even more painful is the fact that two WNBA teams had called my agent and offered me guaranteed spots on their roster, but I just can't go ... yet.
After one week of being back from Charlotte, it hit me: With me now not playing in the WNBA, I have no work visa. Thus no permission to stay in the United States. So I had to leave on May 16. I went to the immigration office and they basically told me that if I got married I could stay in the country.
My fiance was there. I remember him looking at me, looking at the immigration lady and then all I heard was a big giant thud. It was my fiance, who had hit the floor like a sack of potatoes (he thinks he is a practical joker).
He made me sweat: I had a week before I had to leave the country and still no answer from him if he would marry me. But he came through after seeking counsel from his father and others. He finally, FINALLY! stepped up to the plate. I have known this man for six years. So we got married. It has been great, I must say. We don't regret one thing.
The story does not stop there. Last week I went to a Sparks game in Los Angeles. I had a meeting with the opposing team coach. It was a good meeting. I think they want to offer me a job. Normally this is great, but this summer is the European Championship. Germany qualified for this competition with last summer's play. This is really big for Germany: If we finish in one of the top spots we get to go the World Championship.
You can imagine the joy my national team coach had when he heard that I wouldn't be playing in the WNBA. So, we had a couple of conversations and he is thrilled. And so am I, but what do I do if I get offer in the WNBA? So I have mixed emotions.
There's another good side: I am coming to Vegas. I will be in Las Vegas to work a TriFytt Sports basketball camp for girls and boys ages 6-14. It starts Monday and I would love it if you could join me. Just call (909) 646-2560.
Until next time.
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