FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University women's volleyball head coach
Aylene Ilkson announced on Tuesday the addition of
Mark Thomas to her staff as an assistant coach.
Thomas most recently served as the head women's volleyball coach at New England College.
"I couldn't be happier to welcome Mark into the Mason Family," Ilkson said. "We have worked together for a number of years and his passion for the game is unmatched. I believe Mark will have an immediate impact working with our block and middles along with focusing on our video and statistical breakdown."
During his time at New England College, Thomas launched the school's volleyball program and created a strategic vision for the program with regards to recruiting, culture and marketing/promotion.
He worked prior at Newbury College in Brookline, Mass., where he acted as assistant director of athletics while leading both the men's and women's volleyball programs. While coaching his alma mater, he was named the 2015 NECC Men's Volleyball Coach of the Year and earned the AVCA's Minority Coaches Award. On the court, he led the Nighthawks to their first women's conference championship appearance since 2011 and the men's program's first conference semi-final appearance in close to five years.
Thomas worked alongside Ilkson as an assistant coach with the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2013 and 2014 and was an assistant at Springfield College in Western Massachusetts from 2010-12. Thomas also served as a volunteer assistant at UC Riverside in 2012 and 2013.
Thomas enjoyed a standout playing career at Newbury, where he holds the school records for career kills (1,778) and single season kills (527). A two-time, first team NECC selection, Thomas garnered NEC Player of the Year honors in 2010 and was a two-time NECVA New England First Team pick. He graduated from Newbury in 2010 and earned his master's in athletic counseling at Springfield College in 2012.
Thomas also suited up for professionally with Zenith Volleyball Club Trinidad & Tobago during a successful post-collegiate playing career.
"Mark's experience playing professionally overseas and coaching at multiple levels allows him a great eye for recruiting," Ilkson said. "I'm confident his connections can bring even more talent into the Mason program."
