Aurora University Athletics

A 1976 graduate of Aurora College, Walsh began his career as a high school coach. He returned to his college alma mater 11 years later. One of his first tasks was reestablishing Spartan football in time for the 1986 season. He also led the baseball program to an NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.

Walsh coached football at AU until 1996 as the defensive secondary coach and special teams coordinator. During the 1988 and 1989 seasons, the AU secondary led the nation in interceptions with 30 picks in 1988 and 29 in 1989. During his 11 years as a football coach at AU, 13 players received various All-American recognition. In 1992, the Spartans finished the regular season with a 9-0 mark and became the first Chicagoland DIII team to make the NCAA playoffs.

In 1992, Walsh became the head baseball coach. Under his leadership, the Spartans fashioned a 320-85 record with nine NCAA tournament appearances, and two trips to the NCAA DIII World Series.

Walsh’s teams produced 17 All-Americans, and five players who were drafted by Major League baseball teams. Between football and baseball, Walsh has coached 63 NCAA tournament games. The .790 winning percentage placed Walsh second in all NCAA baseball levels at the time he stepped away in 2002. Walsh stepped away from coaching to serve first as associate director of athletics for operations and then as director of athletics in 1994 and 1998, respectively. Under his leadership, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, women's golf, and men's and women's lacrosse were added. During his tenure as director of athletics, AU teams won 73 conference championships and participated in 44 NCAA tournaments.

From 2014 until his retirement, Walsh served as associate professor in what was then the School of Human Performance. In this role, Walsh mentored students majoring in sport management, among other related programs.

Mark Walsh has contributed to Aurora’s rich athletic history for nearly four decades. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in the locker room, he demonstrated a commitment to excellence in his work. He led by example through his engagement with individuals, respect for teamwork, and dedication to winning.