Franklin Pierce Welcomes Back Mark Swasey to Lead Women's Basketball Program

Franklin Pierce Welcomes Back Mark Swasey to Lead Women's Basketball Program
Posted: May 22, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Swasey Returns as Head Coach of Franklin Pierce Women's Hoops.

RINDGE, N.H. – Mark Swasey will return to Franklin Pierce as the 15th head coach in the history of the women’s basketball program, as announced on Friday by Rachel Burleson, Director of Athletics. Swasey – who was also the 11th head coach in the program’s history – will take the reins from Jen McKillop, who was already an Assistant Athletic Director and the department’s Senior Woman Administrator, and who will remain on-board as an Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, as well as the SWA.

“I am grateful to coach McKillop for the leadership she provided our women’s basketball program over the previous three seasons, and am ecstatic to keep her on board as a member of our administrative team,” said Burleson. “In addition, I am excited to welcome coach Swasey back to Rindge and look forward to watching him guide our program moving forward.”

Swasey was previously at the helm of the Ravens from 2002-03 through the 2008-09 season and posted a 124-85 record (.593 winning percentage) over seven seasons. His tenure was highlighted by back-to-back NCAA Regional titles in 2008 and 2009, with the 2009 squad also capturing a Northeast-10 Conference title and finishing as the national runner-up. Swasey was the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year for Division II in 2008-09, in addition to earning East Region and NE10 Coach of the Year accolades as well. Swasey’s 124 victories rank second all-time in program annals.

“It feels great to be a part of the Franklin Pierce University community again; President Mooney and Athletic Director Burleson have done an amazing job in progressing the University forward, and this is an exciting time to be a part of its growth,” said Swasey. “I wish coach McKillop the best of luck in her career shift to administration and I am blessed to be taking over a program that has all the building blocks for success in place. Coach McKillop has done a great job recruiting excellent players who, more importantly, excel in and out of the classroom as students and young adults. The culture of the program is in excellent health and I can’t wait to get in there and start working with them to compete in the NE10.”

Following his first stint at Franklin Pierce, Swasey put together a 50-19 record (.725) over two-plus seasons at California University of Pennsylvania, a tenure which included appearances in the NCAA Championship in both 2010 and 2011. Adding in a 56-26 record (.683) over three seasons at Division III Norwich University to open his head coaching career, Swasey owns a 230-130 (.639) over 360 games as a collegiate head coach.

“I am excited to make the transition into administration, as it has always been a professional goal of mine,” said McKillop of her move. “The Franklin Pierce women’s basketball program and players will always hold a special place in my heart. Mark brings a wealth of basketball experience and knowledge, and understands what we have been building over the past three years. I am looking forward to watching the program continue to grow.”

McKillop takes over the Department of Athletics’ NCAA compliance duties from Nicole Ham ’16 ’18, who has accepted a job to advance her own administrative career. Ham will begin as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance at Southern New Hampshire University on May 20.

McKillop will begin her new administrative duties immediately, while Swasey will officially take charge of the women’s basketball program on June 1. 

-Release provided by Franklin Pierce athletic communications staff-

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete. 

Each year, 4,500 student-athletes compete in conference championships, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.