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Adrian Wojnarowski departs from ESPN and joins St. Bonaventure.

Adrian Wojnarowski, an ESPN NBA great, has agreed to take over as general manager of the St. Bonaventure men's basketball program, according to ESPN.

Wojnarowski is a St. Bonaventure alumnus and has a strong connection to the program, including serving as a fundraiser for the school’s group in recent years. He is a 1991 graduate of Western New York and a distinguished alumnus of the Gandoli School of Communications.

“It is a lifelong pleasure to be able to return to the university and the community I love in a role of service to our student-athletes, coaches, and institutions,” Wojnarowski told ESPN. “I hope to be able to add value in many areas to our basketball program and open doors for the future of our young men, both professionally and personally.”

Wojnarowski, 55, has been with ESPN since 2017. He previously worked at Yahoo Sports and The Record of Bergen County (New Jersey), among others.

“I am retiring from ESPN, and I am deeply grateful for the time and experiences I have had with the world leader,” he said.

The role of general manager has become more common in college basketball in recent years as the transfer portal has made roster turnover an ingrained part of the sport. The role involves setting the name, image, and likeness, recruiting and supporting the Bonnies’ successful coach, Mark Schmidt.

“Woj is the perfect person to fill this new role, combining his intimate knowledge of St. Bonaventure and our Franciscan values ​​with the deep network of relationships he has built in the world of professional and intercollegiate basketball,” said St. Bonaventure Athletic Director Bob Peretta. “The willingness of a leading journalist in his field to give up a lucrative media career to serve his alma mater in a support role is a testament to his love and passion for Bona.” »

Wojnarowski stated on social media, "I grew up the son of a factory worker two miles from the ESPN campus and never dreamed of becoming a sports journalist. The Hartford Courant handed me my first column 37 years ago, and I've never stopped seeking the excitement of it all.

“This job changed my life, but I have decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry. I understand the commitment required in my rolee and it is an investment I no longer have to make. Time is not an infinite resource,ce and I want to use that time in ways that are more personally meaningful.

“I leave with immense gratitude to my countless mentors and colleagues, subjects and stories, readers and viewers. No one has benefited more than I have from the trust, generosity, and confidence of others.

"The last seven years at ESPN have been a true honor. I'm thankful to the company's management, particularly Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN President) and Christina Douglas (Editor-in-Chief), for understanding and accepting my decision to alter my life.

"After years of covering teams across the sports world, I'm now returning to my own," said Pitaro in an official statement. "I've had the privilege of working with Adrian Wojnarowski since our days at Yahoo! Sports in 2007. His dedication to journalism and his unmatched work ethic have made a lasting impression on the industry."

Woj is not only known for his exceptional talent and courage, but also for his influential leadership at ESPN. His loyalty to the brand and to millions of fans is truly legendary. While his day-to-day presence will be missed, we support his decision to step back and refocus on personal priorities."

"We're confident that Woj will thrive in the next chapter of his journey. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, and he carries with him our deepest gratitude and full support."