Aug. 7, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Shane Mack, a former member of the Terrapin wrestling team, will return to his alma mater this fall as interim head coach.

As a student-athlete at Maryland, Mack obtained accolades on and off the mat. As a three-time NCAA qualifier (1996-1998), Mack received the Unsung Hero Award as a junior, and was designated to be a captain for his senior year, a season in which Mack was ranked in the top 10 nationally by Amateur Wrestling News.

Impressively, Mack's wrestling accomplishments mirrored the honors he accumulated in the classroom. Graduating with a degree in Social Studies Education, Mack was a scholar athlete during his tenure in College Park.

In the five years since he graduated, Mack has continued to pursue his interests in both wrestling and education.

After serving as assistant wrestling coach at Solanco High School (Penn.), Mack garnered his first head coaching position at Ithaca High School (N.Y.), where he remained for two seasons.

In 2002, Mack entered the Division I coaching ranks, as the Head Assistant Coach at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Overall, he was involved in the day-to-day operations of running a Division I wrestling program. Responsibilities at Greensboro included recruiting prospective student-athletes, leading practices, implementing a strength training program and monitoring the academic progress of the athletes.

Furthermore, Mack has also been a full-time history teacher for both middle and high school students at each of his pit stops on the road back to College Park.

His blend of academics and athletics will fit in nicely with the Terrapins' repertoire of flourishing student-athletes. The team was recently honored with a No. 19 finish among the NWCA Top 25 All-Academic Wrestling Teams, which encompasses all Division I wrestling squads.