Mark Connolly enters his third year as the indoor and outdoor sprint coach at Merrimack College.

Connolly’s impact was felt immediately as Merrimack had success in numerous sprint events in its first season of competition. Jesse Fowler was successful in the 100 and 200 meter events leading the way for Merrimack.

Connolly has three years coaching experience at Lynn English High School, Lynn, MA, as an assistant coach.  At Lynn English, he focused on sprints and field events.  In both 2009 and 2010, his 4 x 100 team qualified for and participated in the New England High School Championships.

Connolly is a USATF Level 1 Certified coach who has served for six years as coach and clinic instructor in the summer youth program for Merrimack Valley Striders Running Club and later Going the Distance, Fernando Braz' Track program.

Connolly is a 1987 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross  where he majored in Economics.  He holds an MBA from Boston College, Carroll School of Business.

Specializing in the 400  meters and middle distance events at Holy Cross, Connolly was a captain of the 1987 Crusaders’ indoor and outdoor track teams.  In 1985, he was the Eastern Conference Champion in the 600 yards. He held the Holy Cross school record in the 500 meters for 21 years. 

Prior to Holy Cross, Connolly graduated from Austin Prep, Reading , MA where he captained the cross country, basketball and outdoor track teams. He was the recipient of the Austin Prep Scholar–Athlete award and was named track and field MVP of The Catholic Conference in 1983. 

A native of Andover, MA, Connolly resides in Wilmington, MA, with his wife, Becky and their two children Joseph and Fiona.