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Prior to becoming head of Incarnate Word's now-19-sport athletic department (four have been added under his leadership), the 49-year-old Mark Papich was director of the campus Wellness Center and the Ann Barshop Natatorium. In talking with the New Kensington (PA) native, be prepared for the conversation to include tidbits about upgrading athletic facilities, about usage of those facilities, about recruiting, camps, about keeping the natatorium running smoothly, the funding of all teams, about eligibility of athletes, and on and on and on. On top of all that, this year he is serving as chairman of the Heartland Conference athletic directors council. Additionally, in the spring of 2004, he was a point person is the implementation of changing the Incarnate Word mascot from Crusaders to Cardinals. Mark came to UIW in 1995 as the volleyball team's assistant coach. In 1996 as the interim coach, Papich saw his Cardinals win 20 matches for the first time in four years. Then, in 1997, Incarnate Word won a school record 31 matches and tied for the old Heart of Texas Conference title. But that was only the cake. The icing was winning the NAIA Southwest Regional tournament and advancing to the national championships for the first time ever. Following that season, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named Papich the Tachikara Region Coach of the Year. That honor from his fellow coaches came on top of his being named NAIA Southwest Region Coach of the Year as well as the Heart of Texas Conference Coach of the Year. Additionally, his cumulative mark at Incarnate Word is now 124-124, which makes him the winningest volleyball coach in school history. A member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, Papich holds a bachelor of science degree in industrial design from the University of Cincinnati. While an undergraduate he played baseball and lacrosse. |
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