Zadie Fiveash – Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Michelle Marciniak Named CEO of Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 27, 2026 - The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) Board of Governors announced today that Michelle Marciniak has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, 2026. Dana Hart, former president of the WBHOF, will remain in a consulting role through the WBHOF Induction Ceremony in June to assist with the transition.

“Her fierce drive and desire will no doubt carry the Hall to greatness just as she did in basketball as a player. Her 1996 National Championship and Most Outstanding Player award exemplifies the winning spirit the Hall will have under her leadership. Michelle is a friend and an inspiration. We welcome her and look forward to a great future,” said Board of Governors Chair Michael Strickland.

In her new role, Marciniak will lead the long-term vision of the WBHOF and oversee the fulfillment of its mission to honor and promote the past, present and future of women’s basketball.

On her appointment, Marciniak said,

“Women’s basketball has given me everything - from lifelong relationships to opportunities I never could have imagined - and it is incredibly meaningful to return to Knoxville and lead an organization that honors those who built this game. As a former Lady Vol, this community and its legacy have shaped so much of who I am. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame holds a special place in the story of our sport, and I am deeply committed to preserving that legacy while helping to elevate and expand its future. There has never been a more exciting time for women’s basketball, and I look forward to building on the Hall’s impact while inspiring the next generation to see what’s possible because of those who came before them.”

Marciniak brings a rare combination of elite athletic achievement and sustained business success to the role. In addition to her accomplishments on the court, she built a 18-year career as a successful entrepreneur and business leader, co-founding and serving as co-CEO of SHEEX – the world’s first performance fabric bedding company. There, she helped pioneer an entirely new category within the industry through innovative, technology-driven products, growing SHEEX into a nationally recognized brand that disrupted a traditional market and redefined consumer expectations.

Marciniak played basketball both collegiately and professionally, winning a national championship with the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in 1996, where she was also named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

She is also a recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, one of the Association’s highest honors recognizing former student-athletes who have achieved excellence since completing their collegiate careers. Marciniak was only the second Lady Vol to receive this distinction, following legendary coach Pat Summitt, with fellow Lady Vol Tamika Catchings earning the honor in subsequent years. Notably, both Summitt and Catchings are Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductees.

About the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Founded in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), located in Knoxville, Tennessee, honors the greatest players, coaches, contributors and officials in women’s basketball history. The WBHOF is the only facility solely dedicated to women’s basketball, recognizing excellence globally at all levels of the sport. The Hall works to preserve the legacy of women’s basketball through its museum, educational programming, special events and annual induction ceremony. For more information, visit wbhof.com or follow @wbhof on social media.

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Hart to Retire as Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame President

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 4, 2026 – Dana Hart, president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, has announced she is retiring from her full-time position and shift into a consultant role to assist with induction planning and programming while the Hall’s Board of Governors (BOG) initiates the process to select a new leader.

Hart, who has resided in Knoxville for 28 years, started working at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and was promoted to president in 2008.

“The Board of Governors of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the citizens of Knox County are proud of Dana’s contributions over more than two decades,” said Michael Strickland, BOG chair and CEO of Bandit Lites in Knoxville. “Her dedication to promoting and celebrating the best of the game is evidenced by the wonderful displays and exhibits that feature over 200 inductees and their achievements.”

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame eight inductees for the Saturday, June 27, 2026, ceremony at the Tennessee Theatre are Candace Parker (Tennessee and WNBA); Elena Delle Donne (Delaware and WNBA); Cheryl Reeve (four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx head coach); Kim Muhl (nine-time NJCAA national champion coach of Kirkwood Community College); Isabelle Fijalkowski (Colorado and French national team); pro basketball television commentator Doris Burke; Amaya Valdemoro (Houston Comets, Spain Olympian); and Clemson’s Barbara Kennedy-Dixon (posthumous honoree).

The inductees will be presented at the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four and community activities in Phoenix on April 3-5, 2026.

“It has been my honor to serve as president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and help fulfill the official mission of ‘Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Promote the Future,’ ” Hart said. “So many people have been dedicated to our sport, and its legendary players, coaches and leaders, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible institution for 23 years.

“While I am retiring as president of the Hall, I am staying involved for the Class of 2026 induction ceremony and will assist with the transition to new leadership. My service and dedication to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame have been an important part of my life, and I know the Hall will continue to thrive and shine a spotlight on everything that makes women’s basketball so special.”

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has nearly 30 exhibits, many of which are updated on a regular basis, including the permanent exhibit to honor the late Pat Summitt that opened in 2025.

Hart earned a bachelor’s degree in business with minors in women’s studies and fashion from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, the second-oldest women’s college in the country. Her community service has included active participation for Stephens College Circle of Mentors; Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association board; Knoxville Executive Women’s Association (EWA); Farragut/West Knox Chamber of Commerce; Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association; Knoxville Chapter of the Women Leaders Association; Alzheimer’s Association; and the International Sports Heritage Association, where she served as past president.

“On behalf of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, we thank Dana Hart for 23 years of hard, dedicated work to the Hall,” Chris Plonsky, Board of Trustee Chair, said. “Her stewardship efforts have served inductees, players, coaches, contributors, stakeholders and fans of the sport. Youngsters who tour the Hall visualize their dreams of emulating those who have been appropriately immortalized in the only Hall of Fame exclusively dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. We appreciate Dana contributing as Hall leaders embark upon completing this staff transition. ”

About the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Founded in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), located in Knoxville, Tennessee, honors the greatest players, coaches, contributors, and officials in women’s basketball history. The WBHOF is the only facility of its kind, recognizing excellence at all levels of the sport, from high school and collegiate competition to professional and international play. The Hall is home to more than 200 inductees and works to preserve the legacy of women’s basketball through its museum, educational programming, special events, and annual induction ceremony.

Media Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

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WBHOF mourns the passing of Uljana Semjonova, Class of 1999.

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Uljana Semojonova, Class of 1999, passed away on January 8, 2026 at the age of 73. A Latvian basketball legend, Semjonova leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the history of the game.

At 6’9’’, Semjonova kept a dominant presence on the floor. She spent 18 years competing for the Soviet Union national team and never suffered a loss during her international career. She helped lead the Soviet Union to Olympic gold medals in 1976 and 1980 and won the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship ten consecutive times. Across her international and club career, Semjonova is widely regarded as the winningest player in women’s basketball history.

Semjonova’s impact extended far beyond her on-court achievements. She was named Latvia’s most popular athlete 12 times between 1970 and 1985, reflecting her profound influence and admiration at home and abroad. She was also a member of the inaugural class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

To honor her life and legacy, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame will place a memorial wreath at her photo in the Hall of Honor for the next month as we mourn the loss of a truly great player and inductee.

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