National Basketball Association

Marc Marotta, chair of Milwaukee Bucks arena, dies at age 52

Published Apr. 9, 2015 11:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

MILWAUKEE (AP) Marc Marotta, a former Marquette basketball star who became board chairman of the Milwaukee Bucks arena, has died. He was 52.

The Milwaukee County medical examiner says an autopsy showed Marotta died Wednesday of a brain aneurysm.

Marotta was a three-time Academic All-American and drafted by the New York Knicks after graduating in 1984. Instead, he chose Harvard Law School.

He was secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration for then-Gov. Jim Doyle. Doyle said Thursday that Marotta ''worked tirelessly'' to fund schools and ensure children's health care and housing for the elderly.

Marotta also was BMO Harris Bradley Center's board chairman. In a statement, the Bucks called Marotta ''a fantastic friend and ally'' to the team, ''but an even better person with a generous heart and an amazing spirit.''