Marciniak joins the staff of sixth-year head coach Susan Walvius, who led the Gamecocks to their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance this season.

“We will really miss Michelle’s presence on this team this summer,” Storm Vice President Karen Bryant said. “She has such an engaging personality and was a great spokesperson for our organization and professional women’s basketball. She will always be a favorite in the eyes of Storm fans.”

Marciniak, whose University of Tennessee team won the NCAA title in 1996 and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, played three years in the WNBA – one with the Portland Fire (2000) and the last two with the Storm (2001-02). She averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 82 career games.

“It’s been a life-long dream of mine to coach college basketball and joining South Carolina’s staff is just a natural fit for me as I make the transition into the next phase of my career in women’s basketball,” said Marciniak, who will work in player development with the team’s guards and assist in the school’s recruiting efforts. “I want to thank the Storm organization and especially the fans for all of their support the last two years. I’ll always remember my time in Seattle with the Storm where I experienced some of the most memorable moments of my career.

“I wish my former teammates the very best in this upcoming season. I’m going to miss the camaraderie that develops from the great relationships of being a part of this team, but I’ll be following their progress in my new position.”

This past offseason, Marciniak served as the color analyst for the radio broadcast of South Carolina’s games. She also was the head strength and conditioning coach for the University of Louisville women’s basketball team during the fall.

Storm fans will have the opportunity to reunite with Marciniak when she returns to Seattle this summer to attend a Storm game at KeyArena.

The Storm, led by new head coach Anne Donovan, tips off the 2003 WNBA season on Thursday, May 22 at Houston and will host its home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at KeyArena on Friday, May 30.