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Mark Newman took over the Old Dominion University baseball program in 1981 and fornine years put the Monarchs on the national map. His teams compiled a 321-167-3, second only to Bud Metheny's mark.
Newman's teams advanced to four conference finals, captured one league title and advanced to two NCAA regionals. His teams were regularly ranked in the nations top 25 for five straight seasons from 1983 to 1987.
On March 31, 1986, the Monarchs were 23-4 and ranked seventh in the nation by BASEBALL AMERICA, the highest ranking ever in Old Dominion University history.
In 1985, the Monarchs rolled to a school best 50-11 record, and captured the Sun Belt Conference title. Newman's Monarchs reached the ECAC Conference Finals in 1981 and 1982. The Monarchs then reached the 1983 Sun Belt finals.
Newman was named Coach of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference and in the state of Virginia in 1985 and 1987. In the nine years he coached the Monarchs, 16 of his players were drafted and 29 signed pro contracts. Two of his Monarchs were first round picks, including Terry Bell by Seattle, and Jeff Ware by Toronto.
Bell, Ware, Mark Wasinger, and Kevin Bearse reached the majors. Bearse and Wasinger are members of the Old Dominion University Sports Hall of Fame.
Newman left Old Dominion after the 1989 season and is the New York Yankees Director of Player Development.