Since the beginning of women’s gymnastics at N.C. State, the team has gone through some great seasons and some poor seasons, times with support and times without. Through these changing years the one thing that has remained consistent is coach Mark Stevenson.
Stevenson, who is now finishing up his 30th year with the Wolfpack, was hired as the head gymnastics coach after being an assistant for two years.
“It was actually pretty exciting,” Stevenson said. “I was 24 years old when they gave me the head coaching job here. My hiring party was with Jim Valvano, so that was a neat thing to look back on at this point.”
Over the course of Stevenson’s time at State, he has earned four EAGL coach of the year awards, four NCAA Regional coach of the year awards and coached his team to five conference titles.
“When I win an award like coach of the year it’s not really about me,” Stevenson said. “It’s because of the players. It’s about the job they do. Their attitude and their work ethic are what make me look like a good coach. So when I win an award like that I walk right up to them and give it to them and tell them, ‘it’s yours.'”
Although Stevenson credits his athletes for his success, his athletes recognize him for their progress as a gymnast, according to sophomore Jess Panza.
“He’s an amazing coach, honestly,” Panza said. “I think he’s so patient with all of us girls. Whenever anything‘s wrong or we’re having a bad day he pays attention, and it really is so motivating. He helps us through any problem we’re having, whether it’s in or out of the gym.”
Senior Taylor Seaman said Stevenson’s style of coaching makes him a very productive coach.
“Mark has a very warm demeanor, that’s the best way I can describe it,” Seaman said. “He doesn’t raise his voice — he has a very calm persona about it, which is very respectable and you want to respect him because he is so down to earth. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a coach.”
Being a calm, collected coach is a quality Stevenson has had to learn over the years.
“I learned that the meaner you are, it doesn’t necessarily mean the better your kids will do,” Stevenson said. “There’s a balance between being aggressive to be successful and being mean to be successful and you’ll find that most athletes respect you more if you’re stern and not out of control. The way I look at it is if I’m ever out of control then I have lost the battle because I’ve lost the respect. That’s something I don’t think I could have done when I was 24.”
With Stevenson’s last two seasons being two of his best, finishing 2009 with his fifth conference championship and fourth EAGL title, he said he doesn’t see himself leaving the Wolfpack anytime soon.
“I’m going to continue coaching until I don’t feel like what I’m doing is benefitting my team, and for as long as N.C. State wants me,” Stevenson said. “I really like it here. My heart is with N.C. State and it’s always been.”
