University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Athletics Mourns Passing of Former Athletics Director Bob Marcum
July 24, 2024 | General, Athletics Department
Marcum oversaw UMass Athletics from 1993 - 2002.
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Marcum served as Director of Athletics for the University of Massachusetts from 1993-2002, overseeing a stretch of great success for the Minutemen and Minutewomen. During that decade long run, the men's basketball team won four Atlantic 10 Championships (1993-96) and earned six consecutive NCAA Tournament berths (1993-98) under head coach John Calipari.
Massachusetts also won the 1998 NCAA I-AA Football title, made the first two NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament appearances in program history (1996 and 1998) and made back-to-back trips to the College World Series in softball (1997 and 1998). All told, UMass athletics captured 65 Atlantic 10 titles and made 70 NCAA Tournament appearances under Marcum.Sad news — former @UMassAthletics AD Bob Marcum passed away this morning. He led the department during a prosperous competitive period in the 90s/early 00s until leaving for Marshall. Mentored Coach Cal, hired Mark Whipple & a number of other successful coaches & staff. ?? (1/2)
— Ryan Bamford (@UMassADBamford) July 24, 2024
During Marcum's tenure, UMass won the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Cup six times in an eight-year span and he was honored as the 1999 NACDA Northeast Region I-AA Athletic Director of the Year. UMass also produced more Atlantic 10 all-academic selections than any other league school over Marcum's final seven years and led the conference in academic all-league picks six times.Sad news. Bob Marcum passed away this morning. He and I had a great couple hours in the hospital. Talked about our time together at Umass, he as AD and me his coach. We laughed cried and prayed.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) July 24, 2024
He had on the Kentucky 2012 national championship ring. He was a part of…
Marcum served as the athletic director at Marshall (2002-09), South Carolina (1982-88) and Kansas (1978-82) after beginning his career at Iowa State in 1971, where he served as associate athletic director until moving to Kansas. He also served as vice president and general manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1988-90 and vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Motor Speedway from 1990-93.Bob was always great to me. Generous with his time and always supportive of our efforts to advance the department. I received many nice notes from Bob and had a few fun talks by phone. I especially loved when he recounted his days in Boyden.
— Ryan Bamford (@UMassADBamford) July 24, 2024
May he Rest In Peace. ??????
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A native of Huntington, West Virginia, Marcum inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2009.
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