BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The next non-coaching staff member in the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation's Get to Know series is our Sports Information Director Mark Fleming, who is in his 24th year with the Greyhounds promoting all our student-athletes, teams and accomplishments.
Mark Fleming
Undergraduate: Edinboro University of Pennsylvania '94
Graduate: East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania '97
How did you get into your field? When I was in high school, I worked with the baseball and boys' basketball teams. My father worked at Edinboro University and introduced me to Todd Jay, the Sports Information Director, at the start of my senior year of high school. We worked out an internship that had me leave high school at the start of the final period of the day and go work at the college for two hours, along some home football and basketball games. I really enjoyed the work and realized it would be the career path I wanted to follow. That was back in September of 1990, so I've been working in college athletics for over 30 years, and it is amazing as to how much the field has changed since then, for example, email was just starting and websites didn't exist when I began so most of the things I needed to make game programs would have to come via fax or the postal service. Also, when I started, we made 20-30 phone calls after games and then followed up with faxes of the stats and stories, and now, we have live stats and video and social media updates that have results out instantly.
What is your favorite part of working at Moravian College? Working with our student-athletes. They are playing the sport(s) that they love and grew up playing, and most know that their college careers will likely be the end of their competitive action. I want to do my best to promote all of their accomplishments over their final years.
What has kept you at Moravian for 23+ years? I've always felt like you are cared about, and the family atmosphere. I actually was offered a position to follow one of my mentors when he retired a few years after starting at Moravian. I wrestled with the decision but the administrators I was working with at the time here at Moravian made me feel that they wanted me to stay and that I was in the right place.
What is your favorite place on campus? I enjoy all of the athletic venues, but my favorite is probably the football stadium in the fall when you can look out over the city of Bethlehem and over to South Mountain when all of a foliage is changing.
What is your most memorable moment at Moravian? There have been so many championships and individual accomplishments that I've witnessed in the last 23+ years but if I had to pick one, it would probably be the softball team's run to the national championship game at the 2004 Division III World Series in Salem, Virginia.
What is the best piece of advice you've been given? Don't sweat the small stuff, and most of it is small stuff. Also, it is ok to say no, especially when you know the final product won't be the best that you can produce.
Who are your role models/most influential people? Todd Jay, the SID at Edinboro that introduced me to the profession, Pete Nevins, who I worked for as a graduate assistant at East Stroudsburg University, and Dick Lipe, the SID at Bentley University that I did my graduate internship with before being hired at Moravian. Dick also got me involved with College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America program.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? My grandfather, who passed away when I was in high school, Pete Nevins, who passed away too soon after retiring from ESU and I always enjoyed when we had time to spend together, and Dick Enberg, again, someone who passed away too soon. With my work with the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame, I was fortunate to have several meals with Dick Enberg over the years and those were always outstanding times. I know Pete and my grandfather would enjoy dining with him.
What have you done more of since March that you wouldn't have if sports had not been postponed? Spend time with my family. Usually, I only have 3 or 4 total weekends from the end of August until Memorial Day that I don't work because of the athletic schedules here at Moravian but with no sports, I've been able to enjoy my family. We've joked that we need to enjoy it now because if/when sports resume in January, I won't be home much until June. Our yard also looks the best it has since we bought our house 17 years ago since I was able to start working on it before June this year.
If you weren't in your current position, what would you be doing? I'd likely be a history teacher. I was accepted to Edinboro University as an education major with a focus on history before changing to a communications major after spending a few months working in the sports information office as a high school intern.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. Outside of ice hockey, the Tour de France and the Olympics, I watch very little sports at home.
Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – My wife will tell you navy blue or grey since that is what most of my wardrobe is after 23+ years
Favorite Food – Cheesesteak
Favorite Restaurant – Carl's Corner
Favorite Movie – Animal House/The Blues Brothers
Favorite TV Show – Big Bang Theory/Two and a Half Men
Favorite Musical Artist – Straight No Chaser
Favorite Athlete – Mario Lemieux
Favorite Pro Team – Pittsburgh Penguins
Hobbies – Walking, Bowling
Most Prized Possession – My family
Ideal Travel Destination – Hawaii. I was there in 1993 and can't wait to go back.
Your Spirit Animal – Bear according to the online test
Superpower You'd Like to Have – The ability to freeze and rewind time. There are lots of times during athletic contests that I'd love to have a chance to replay what just happened so we could make sure we have the stats correct.
