Providence College Athletics

Mark Stephenson Named Strength And Conditioning Coach

Mark Stephenson Named Strength And Conditioning Coach

Warwick native has worked with Friar athletics since 1997.

Sept. 5, 2002

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced on September 5 that Providence College Athletic Director Bob Driscoll named Mark Stephenson strength and conditioning coach. Stephenson replaces John Rinaldo who resigned in May.

Stephenson, who is the co-founder of NorthEast Sports Training & Rehabilitation in Warwick, R.I., was hired to handle all the strength and conditioning requirements for the College's 19 varsity athletic teams. In addition to overseeing all 19 teams, he will work directly with the men's basketball team's strength and conditioning programs. Members of Stephenson's staff from NorthEast Sports Training & Rehabilitation will work with the other varsity athletic teams.

As part of his commitment to improving Friar athletics, Driscoll has committed more than $100,000 to upgrades in equipment and facilities in the PC strength and conditioning complex.

"We are very excited to have Mark Stephenson joining our staff," Driscoll said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from working with college athletes. I am confident that Mark and his staff will provide our athletes with the very best strength and conditioning programs."

Stephenson is very familiar with Providence College as he worked for five years (1997-02) with the Friar men's and women's hockey teams as a volunteer strength coach. A 1997 graduate of Rhode Island College, he began his career in strength and conditioning 13 years ago. He was a volunteer assistant strength and conditioning coach at Holy Cross for one year prior to joining the Friars in 1997.

"It is our goal to help our student-athletes become bigger, faster and stronger," Stephenson stated. "I am impressed with the dedication and commitment that I have seen towards the improvements to the strength and conditioning facility. I am looking forward to seeing improvements in the student-athletes' overall fitness."

At NorthEast Sports Training & Rehabilitation, Stephenson and his staff have worked with U.S. and Canadian Olympic athletes such as, Bryan Berard (U.S. men's hockey), Sara DeCosta (U.S. women's hockey), Laurie Baker (U.S. women's hockey), Tara Mounsey (U.S. women's hockey), Michelle Fournier (Canadian track & field), David Emma (U.S. men's hockey) and Chris Terreri (U.S. men's hockey). They also work with Rhode Island high school athletes.

In addition to being a certified strength and conditioning specialist (NSCA), Stephenson also is a certified athletic trainer (NATA). Stephenson served as the state director of the National Strength and Conditioning Association for the past five years.

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