PASADENA, Calif. – The Caltech athletics department has
named Matthew Mark as its new head baseball coach. He will begin
serving in his role at the end of August.
Since the program's inception in 1909 he is the ninth person to
lead the Beavers program. He takes the reigns of the squad from
John D'Auria who retired at the end of June after 24 years at the
helm.
"I am very honored and excited to be named the next head baseball
coach at Caltech. After visiting campus, it was obvious to
see the excitement and passion Caltech had for its athletics and
baseball program," Mark said. "My goal is to lead and create an
environment which all players involved can be successful as young
men in the classroom, in the community and on the baseball
field. I would like to thank athletics director Betsy
Mitchell and the search committee for this exciting opportunity and
I look forward to the upcoming 2013 season."
Mark previously served as the pitching coach for Allegheny since
August 2009. He made an immediate impact on the Gator hurlers. In
his first season, he helped lower the staff's collective ERA from
5.49 in 2009 to 4.07 in 2010. That was the lowest team ERA at
Allegheny since the 2000 season.
Under the guidance of Mark, the Gators produced back-to-back North
Coast Athletic Conference pitchers of the year in 2010 and
2011.
"Matthew is a committed educator, excellent coach, strong role
model and will contribute greatly to the vision of our athletic
program," athletic director Betsy Mitchell said. "Coach Mark is
eager to help us improve this program and I am confident that he
will bring new ideas and expectations to the program."
Prior to Allegheny, Mark spent a year as the assistant varsity
football and baseball coach at Indian Creek School in Wintersville,
Ohio, where he also served as the behavioral teacher.
Mark is also active in the summer months assisting with several
Division I baseball camps including the camps at Kentucky,
Virginia, and the Naval Academy Leadership Camp.
A 2006 graduate of Washington & Jefferson with a bachelor of
arts degree in business administration, he was a member of the
baseball team for three years, and served a team captain for two
seasons. Mark helped lead the Presidents to Presidents' Athletic
Conference Championship in 2004 and 2006.
After graduation, he spent the 2007 season as the assistant
baseball coach at W&J. While coaching the Presidents, Mark was
involved in day-to-day situational analysis, field operation, and
recruiting as the squad won the conference championship.