UA Athletics Mourns Death Of Staffer Mary Maruggi

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama on Friday announced the untimely death of athletics department employee Mary Maruggi.

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Maruggi, who had worked in collegiate athletics for a decade, died unexpectedly at her home Monday morning. She was hired by Alabama as an academic advisor in March of 2020.

Working with the Crimson Tide men's golf and football programs, Maruggi is credited with helping assist with the academic goals and endeavors of the student-athletes for each team.

Maruggi also trained numerous young staff members, tutors, and graduate assistants beginning their careers in academic support and athletics administration.

She began her career in intercollegiate athletics at Kent State University, where she served as a graduate assistant in academic services until earning her master's degree in higher education in 2016.

UA says Maruggi accepted her first full-time job in 2017 when she was hired at the University of Minnesota, where she worked with multiple athletics teams for three years before coming to Tuscaloosa.

"Mary was an incredible colleague who had a great impact on many of us within the department, but especially with the student-athletes she served," Athletics Director Greg Byrne said. "Mary built exceptional relationships with her student-athletes, staff and coaches throughout her career. We will all miss her more than words can express."

Memorial services for Maruggi will be held Friday, July 19, in St Paul, Minnesota, with a remembrance in Tuscaloosa to be held at a later date.

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