Michelle Marciniak, Gwen Jackson and Dan Fraser have something in common: Though none of them were born in Knoxville, all three eventually made it their home.
On Thursday, the three were honored by the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame: Marciniak, a former Lady Vols basketball star point guard, and Fraser, a longtime Lady Vols reporter for The Knox News, were inducted into the GKSHOF Class of 2024. Jackson, a former Lady Vols star, was the recipient of the Pat Summitt Ignite Greatness Award.
“Needless to say, Pat Summitt has had a huge impact on my life,” Marciniak told Knox News during Thursday’s induction ceremony. “I dreamed of playing for Tennessee ever since I was a hometown kid, and now life has come full circle and I’m back in Knoxville. To receive an honor like the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame is quite special.”
Marciniak and Fraser were inducted along with Dan Brooks, Connie Callaway, Eddie Courtney, Victoria Gillenwater, Russ Johnson, David Martin, Heath Schuler and John Wright.
It wasn’t a surprise to Fraser that former Lady Vols were in attendance, given some of the great players Summitt coached. She was there to document Summitt’s dynasty and covered all but one of Summitt’s eight national championships, one of which was won by Marciniak. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native is also a member of the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.
When Frazier was inducted into the National Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame in April, it was about his career. This time, it was about Knoxville: The Knox News was the fourth newspaper he worked for in the seven years he was hired in 1988, and ultimately his last.
“I never thought I’d plant my flag here back then,” Fraser said, “so this flag really means a lot to me because this is where I’ve dropped anchor and put down roots. It’s a special feeling to walk into this hall because I feel like the place I’ve chosen to live has welcomed me.”
A native of Eufaula, Alabama, Jackson eventually returned to Knoxville after her professional career ended. She began coaching Austin East girls basketball in July 2012, but health issues forced her to step down after the 2018 season. She returned as Austin East’s coach in 2022 and continues to coach there.
Class of 2024: Heath Shuler, Michelle Marciniak and others inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Her roots are here now with her daughter and son — she even started an AAU program in Knoxville called TKO Elite — and for Jackson, being presented with an award named after her late coach means more than anything.
“This isn’t just about me,” Jackson said. “Pat has taught me so much about life, and I try to give those same tools to the young people I have the opportunity to reach and help them pursue their dreams. It’s tough to be a part of the Lady Vols and not apply what you learn here in real life.”
Marciniak, who was born in Maryland and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, returned to Knoxville in 2020 in search of the community she loves. Though she’d been away for 24 years, many of the people she’d known during her time as an active player were still there when she returned.
“There’s a special community in Knoxville, a bond between people,” Marciniak said. “It comes from playing basketball. It comes from sports. It comes from being at a university like the University of Tennessee, which is a very special place.”
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s track and field. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter. This springIf you enjoy Cora’s articles, please consider a digital subscription to get full access.