Mary Randall (Marchese), class of 1996, distinguished herself as one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in Grand Ledge High School history, excelling in basketball, volleyball, and track through a combination of elite talent, relentless work ethic, and natural leadership. 

A standout in all three sports, Randall was named Team MVP in basketball, volleyball, and track during both her junior and senior seasons, underscoring her versatility and impact across programs. She earned Team MVP an additional season as a sophomore for track, meaning she earned Team MVP 7 total times in 3 different sports. On the basketball court, she was a driving force behind the Lady Comets’ success, helping lead the team to Conference Championships in 1992, 1994, and 1995, and District Championships in 1993, 1994, and 1995. Her dominance earned her All-State honors in 1995, along with CAC MVP recognition in basketball during her junior and senior seasons. 

Randall was equally impressive in track and field. She was undefeated in Capital Area Conference high jump competition during her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, qualifying for the state meet in the high jump all three years. As a senior, she anchored the 4×400 relay team that qualified for the state meet and set a school record, showcasing her speed and competitive edge. Additionally, her high jump of 5'3 was good enough for 3rd in school history in 1994. In volleyball, she earned All-Conference honors as a junior and senior, with regional recognition during her senior season, further highlighting her all-around athletic excellence.

Randall continued her remarkable career at Grand Valley State University. Randall would go on to become the most prolific scorer in GVSU basketball program history, finishing her career with 2,156 points (program record - only player in school history to reach 2,000 points) and 555 free throws made (program record), ranking second in field goals made (800), sixth in rebounds (817), and fifth in steals (205). Her 672 points as a sophomore remain the top single-season total in GVSU history, while her 584 points as a junior rank third-best. She also set GLIAC single-season records for points (441), scoring average (24.5), field goals made (172), and free throws made (97), and recorded the 2nd highest single-game scoring mark with 41 points against Wayland Baptist as a senior. Randall scored in double figures in 110 of 114 games, showcasing remarkable consistency.

A four-time All-GLIAC honoree, she earned All-Great Lakes Region First-Team honors as a sophomore and junior, WBCA/Kodak District 4 All-America honors, and was twice named to the Daktronics All-American Team. Randall also received Kodak Honorable Mention All-American recognition from 1998–2000, leading the Lakers in both scoring and rebounding while being named team MVP all four seasons. She was also awarded the March of Dimes Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year Award in 2001. Her extraordinary achievements culminated in her induction into the GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Following her collegiate career, Randall played professionally for T71 in Dudelange, Luxembourg, where she led the team to the European Cup Semifinals in 2001, demonstrating her talent and leadership on the international stage.

Transitioning into coaching, Randall spent 3 seasons as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University (2001-2004) and 4 seasons at Western Michigan University (2004-2008), handling recruiting, scouting, game planning, scheduling, academic oversight, and player development. Her coaching career also included 3 seasons as the varsity head coach at Vicksburg High School, along with coaching YMCA basketball teams and Rising Stars programs, reflecting her deep commitment to mentorship and the growth of the game. 

Across every level (as a high school star, collegiate record-setter, professional athlete, and coach), Mary Randall (Marchese) built a legacy defined by excellence, leadership, and a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the athletes she inspired.

Links: GVSU Hall of Fame , GVSU Women's Basketball Records Book , Western Michigan Coaching Profile