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Former Lady Vols player Michelle Marciniak announced she is leaving her role as Arizona women's basketball's general manager.
Marciniak said she made the decision in order to return to Knoxville and care for her mother.
"After much reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down from my role as General Manager of the University of Arizona women's basketball program and return home to Knoxville, Tennessee – to be with my Mom as she continues to battle the relentless progressing disease of Alzheimer’s. My Mom has always been there for me and it’s time to go home," Marciniak wrote March 6 on social media.
Marciniak was hired as Arizona's first GM on April 17, joining new coach Becky Burke's staff. Burke was hired from Buffalo to replace Adia Barnes.
Arizona finished 12-18 and were 3-15 in the Big 12.
Marciniak first connected with Burke while recruiting her to South Carolina when Marciniak was an assistant from 2003-08. The two reconnected when Marciniak watched Burke coach at Buffalo on Jan. 1, 2025, four months before Burke was hired at Arizona.
The pair stayed in contact the rest of the season, and when Burke was hired at Arizona, she asked Marciniak to be part of the staff.
Marciniak added she was incredibly grateful for her time at Arizona.
"It was an honor to work alongside such dedicated colleagues who care deeply about student-athletes and the future of Arizona Athletics," Marciniak wrote. "I’m also thankful to Coach Becky Burke for trusting me with a role that is still evolving in collegiate athletics. Building together with her, the staff, and our players has been a truly special experience and I’m proud to be a part of laying the foundation for the new era of Arizona WBB.
Thank you Arizona Women's Basketball fans. Your passion for WBB is truly special and some of the best support I’ve experienced in my career! As a former Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball player, I can’t help but bleed orange – but a piece of my heart will forever remain in Tucson."
Marciniak played for legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt from 1993-96. She was a senior when Tennessee won the 1996 national championship, and she was named Most Outstanding Player. Marciniak helped lead the Lady Vols to two SEC championships and back-to-back trips to the Final Four.
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Michelle Marciniak leaving Arizona women's basketball, returning to Knoxville
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Marciniak said she made the decision in order to return to Knoxville and care for her mother.
"After much reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down from my role as General Manager of the University of Arizona women's basketball program and return home to Knoxville, Tennessee – to be with my Mom as she continues to battle the relentless progressing disease of Alzheimer’s. My Mom has always been there for me and it’s time to go home," Marciniak wrote March 6 on social media.
Marciniak was hired as Arizona's first GM on April 17, joining new coach Becky Burke's staff. Burke was hired from Buffalo to replace Adia Barnes.
Arizona finished 12-18 and were 3-15 in the Big 12.
Marciniak first connected with Burke while recruiting her to South Carolina when Marciniak was an assistant from 2003-08. The two reconnected when Marciniak watched Burke coach at Buffalo on Jan. 1, 2025, four months before Burke was hired at Arizona.
The pair stayed in contact the rest of the season, and when Burke was hired at Arizona, she asked Marciniak to be part of the staff.
Marciniak added she was incredibly grateful for her time at Arizona.
"It was an honor to work alongside such dedicated colleagues who care deeply about student-athletes and the future of Arizona Athletics," Marciniak wrote. "I’m also thankful to Coach Becky Burke for trusting me with a role that is still evolving in collegiate athletics. Building together with her, the staff, and our players has been a truly special experience and I’m proud to be a part of laying the foundation for the new era of Arizona WBB.
Thank you Arizona Women's Basketball fans. Your passion for WBB is truly special and some of the best support I’ve experienced in my career! As a former Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball player, I can’t help but bleed orange – but a piece of my heart will forever remain in Tucson."
Marciniak played for legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt from 1993-96. She was a senior when Tennessee won the 1996 national championship, and she was named Most Outstanding Player. Marciniak helped lead the Lady Vols to two SEC championships and back-to-back trips to the Final Four.
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Michelle Marciniak leaving Arizona women's basketball, returning to Knoxville
Continue reading...
