Mark Blankenbaker became the ninth head coach in the history of the Bellarmine University field hockey program on July 15, 2011, bringing with him years of knowledge and experience.
Blankenbaker will enter his eighth season in 2018.
In 2016, Blankenbaker led Bellarmine to its most wins since 2011 as the Knights accumulated 13 victories. Bellarmine tied for second place in the Eastern College Athletic Conference during the regular season and was the No. 2 seed in the ECAC Tournament. Six Knights were recognized on the All-ECAC teams.
In 2015, Blankenbaker guided Bellarmine to the championship game of the ECAC Tournament for the second straight season. He led the Knights to 10 victories and they placed four members on the All-ECAC teams. In addition, Kelsey O'Bryan was named an All-American.
In 2014, Blankenbaker led Bellarmine to an 11-win season that included an appearance in the ECAC Tournament finals. Six of his players were named All-ECAC.
In 2011, in his first year as Bellarmine's head coach, Blankenbaker led the Knights to a 13-4 record that included a 4-1 win over No. 9 Millersville. His 2012 squad pulled off a tense 1-0 victory over eighth-ranked Indiana (PA). Rachael Walz and Ellen West were selected as All-Americans in 2011.
Prior to being named head coach, Blankenbaker spent seven years as an assistant under Don Hubbuch while helping the Knights to an 85-61 record over that span. In 2010, Bellarmine had one its best seasons as it set a school record for wins, going 15-3 and rising to No. 7 in the coaches' poll.
During his time as an assistant, Blankenbaker helped develop players including helping Lauren Schmeing and Walz, who earned her first All-America honor in 2010.
Blankenbaker started his career as the head coach at Barrett Middle School in 1998.
Blakenbaker has a wife, Ruthie, and two children, Mark and Natalie.
