St. Vincent-St. Mary names Mark Hassman Athletic Director

Mark Hassman (Photo: St. Vincent-St. Mary Athletics)

AKRON, Ohio - St. Vincent-St. Mary High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Hassman as its next Athletic Director.

Hassman brings more than 30 years of experience in Catholic education, athletic administration, and school leadership to STVM. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and athletic director, dedicating his professional life to developing students both in the classroom and through athletics.

Most recently, in addition to his role as Science Teacher, Hassman served as Athletic Director at Walsh Jesuit High School, where he led one of Northeast Ohio's premier athletic programs from 2017 through 2025. During his tenure, Walsh Jesuit athletics experienced significant success across multiple sports, capturing state championships, regional titles, district championships, and numerous league championships while strengthening the overall culture and competitiveness of the athletic department. Prior to becoming Athletic Director, Hassman served as Principal at Walsh Jesuit for 11 years and Assistant Principal for three years.

“We are thrilled to welcome one of Ohio’s most respected athletic directors to the Irish family,” said Dave Vitatoe, STVM President. “At the outset, we targeted experienced candidates with a successful track record and a clear standard of excellence. Not only does Mark Hassman meet those requirements, his integrity, authenticity, and focus on building meaningful relationships will be felt by our coaches, student-athletes, and broader community. This is a significant addition to the leadership team at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.”

The appointment follows a comprehensive search process led by a committee of administrators, Board members, Booster Club leadership, and coaches. The committee began by seeking direct feedback from the coaching staff regarding the future needs of STVM Athletics. Hassman's extensive experience as a teacher, coach, principal, and athletic director, combined with his student-centered leadership style, made him an exceptional fit for the qualities identified throughout the process.

In addition to his administrative experience, Hassman has coached multiple sports throughout his career and has been recognized by and received multiple awards from the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the National Federation of High School Coaches for his contributions to education and athletics. His honors include OHSAA Upcoming Athletic Director of the Year and National Federation of High School Coaches Coach of the Year recognition.

“It is an honor to lead an athletic program with such a rich and storied history and to be part of the STVM community, which embraces the unique strengths and passions of each student as they strive to reach their full academic and athletic potential,” said Mark Hassman, STVM's new Athletic Director. “I look forward to supporting our coaches, student-athletes, and families while helping continue the tradition of excellence that defines St. Vincent-St. Mary.”

Hassman succeeds Kyle Sasala, who has served as Athletic Director since 2022. As Athletic Director, Hassman will oversee all aspects of STVM's interscholastic athletic programs, working closely with coaches, student-athletes, families, and school leadership to advance the mission of St. Vincent-St. Mary and provide an exceptional experience for every student-athlete.