Hall of Fame
Wagner was a four-year letter winner for the Pioneer women’s basketball team from 1989-93. Wagner proved to be Marietta’s first truly dominant post player during her time on the hardwood.
Wagner earned All-OAC recognition all four seasons, including first team honors in 1990-91, and is ranked among the Conference’s all-time leaders in points and rebounds. She totaled 1,818 career points, which ranks second all-time on MC’s and fifth on the OAC’s career scoring list. She holds Marietta’s record for rebounds in a game (20), season (241) and career (938) and was a key figure in the 1989-90 squad that set seven team records.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native became a research assistant and clinical laboratory technician in the Division of Nephrology at Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She returned to Mother of Mercy High School, where she starred before attending Marietta, and served as the assistant reserve basketball coach. Wagner, who was a role model and mentor for the youth in her area, also coach Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams in Cincinnati.
Wagner passed away suddenly at the age of 25 from a brain aneurysm in 1996. To honor her memory, the Most Valuable Player Award, handed out each year at the conclusion of the Thanksgiving weekend Turkey Shoot Tournament in Marietta, was renamed the Lisa Wagner MVP Award.
She is survived by her parents, John and Linda Wagner and her two sisters Lori and Julie Wagner of Cincinnati.
