Athletics Administration Mark
WILSON Tech Hoops
– Director of Athletics – University of Maine, 1991
Coming off an appointment on the NCAA Leadership Council, Wilson is beginning a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee and Division I Football Issues Committee, and has been very active in the Ohio Valley Conference governance structure.
Wilson was named Director of Athletics on July 1, 2004. He came to Tennessee Tech from a position of Associate Athletics Director at Ohio University. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Athletic Marketing for the University of Massachusetts, worked as a graduate assistant in the UMass athletic department and interned with the Northwestern University ticketing and marketing departments. Wilson received his bachelor’s degree in 1991 from the University of Maine in physical education and health, and earned his master’s in sports management from the University of Massachusetts in 1994. Mark has two daughters, Katey (17) and Meaghan (12).
Honors
Additional building plans call for a new student-athlete center and an on-campus tennis center. Another step achieved under Wilson’s direction has been increased fund raising and development efforts with the goal of providing the necessary facilities and resources for Tech’s student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Opponents
All of those accomplishments have come while the department has continued to stay focused on compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations. The most recent NCAA announcements show that all 14 of Tech’s athletic programs are comfortably above the benchmark for compliance in the Athletic Progress Rate (APR), including two Tech teams winning Public Recognition Awards. Prior to that, the Golden Eagle softball team ranked first in the nation for cumulative team GPA for the second time in four years.
TECH
Just as important are the relationships that Wilson has developed and nurtured, including the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the student body, the campus community and the region at-large. His leadership has been instrumental in the overwhelming success in the community’s host role at Tucker Stadium for the annual
TECH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL • TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
History
Wilson also developed a strategic plan for Tech’s athletic facilities and has already seen some of those plans become reality. During the past five years, Tech has completed several construction and renovation projects to athletic facilities, including a spectacular, new Athletic Performance Center on the western edge of campus, a spacious, new basketball office complex in Eblen Center, a new natural grass practice field, installation of new turf in Tucker Stadium, renovating the running track, renovating the football offices, meeting rooms and locker rooms, and new lights at Tucker Stadium.
Another highly visible product of Wilson’s leadership is the increased fan support at Golden Eagle events. Last year, while winning the OVC Championship for the first time in 36 years, the Tech football team drew the largest average home attendance at Tucker Stadium in 25 years. In February, Tech set a school record for the largest attendance at a women’s basketball game.
Records
Under Wilson’s guidance, the program has continued to focus on the academic success of its student-athletes, with soaring numbers each semester on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Tech’s student-athletes have achieved their highest overall combined semester GPAs.
During his tenure, Wilson has successfully selected and hired head coaches for six of the school’s 14 teams, and three of those hires have earned Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors.
Review
Wilson, 43, has led Athletics to several milestone accomplishments during his first eight years, including enhanced facilities and fund raising, high profile staff additions, and compliance and academic success.
Under Wilson’s direction, Tech is also on the brink of introducing an enhanced digital video presence for athletics, including free live web streaming productions and a variety of additional video programs, interviews and features that will give fans, alumni and supporters greater access to Golden Eagle teams, student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Staff
In June, Wilson agreed to a five-year contract extension, keeping him at the helm of the Golden Eagle athletics program through 2017.
Tech has also seen growth in regional and national media exposure for its student-athletes and coaches while his hand-on approach to marketing and branding Golden Eagle Athletics has earned increased opportunities and involvement for fans and sponsors. Some of the ideas he has implemented include the Purple Pride Caravans, a new athletics logo and branding marks that have gained nationwide recognition, and an updated and modern ticketing system.
Golden Eagles
In short, Wilson has facilitated growth and excellence in all areas of TTU Athletics.
Blue Cross Bowl for the TSSAA high school state championship football games.
Outlook
Mark Wilson’s first eight years as Director of Athletics at Tennessee Tech have showcased his vision, energy, and enthusiasm for providing outstanding experiences for Tech’s student-athletes and fans. Highlights of his efforts include major improvements in Tennessee Tech’s athletics facilities including the Basketball Coach’s Complex and the Athletic Performance Center, high graduation and APR rates by Golden Eagle student-athletes, outstanding academic success, and excellent relationships with the campus, community and alumni.
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