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.
