By Ron P. Coderre

An opportunity that was presented to a Putnam High School student when he was a freshman in 1995 has turned into a full-time position on the collegiate level two decades later.

When Mark Therrien, a 1999 Putnam High School graduate, was a freshman in Algebra I class taught by Jim Bartolomei he was recruited to be the scorekeeper for the Clipper basketball team.  He accepted the position, which coincidentally coincided with coach Tony Falzarano’s 400th coaching victory that eventually has led him to full-time status as assistant sports information director at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

According to a recent news release from the office of WPI Director of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics, Dana L. Harmon and Associate Athletic Director Rusty Eggen, Therrien has been elevated to the position after serving as an intern during the 2010-2011 academic year and part-time assistant the past two years. 

Therrien’s route to his current position took a number of twists and turns since graduating from Putnam but each time opportunity knocked the determined 2007 Worcester State University Business grad answered the call.  Prior to arriving at WPI, Therrien spent two years in the Sports Information Office at Nichols College in Dudley.  He’s also worked at three different colleges, Indiana Institute of Technology, Eastern Connecticut State University and Worcester State University during his academic career.  At WSU he received the inaugural Athletics Service award.

During his tenure at Nichols, Therrien promoted two local athletes, Bison soccer standout former Tourtellotte Tiger Scott Coderre and ex-Griswold tennis player Brandon Roode.  During the 2014 spring semester Therrien also served briefly as the interim sports information director at Smith College.

“We are thrilled that Mark is joining us fulltime at WPI.  He already has proven to be a strong member of our athletic communications team and with his full-time efforts, the student-athletes, programs and the University will benefit tremendously,” said Eggen.

Additionally, Therrien has been a fixture at numerous NCAA Championships, including four national title games.  He’s also worked various contests for colleges such as Holy Cross, UConn, Brown University, Providence College, Harvard University, and Rhode Island College.  

The versatile Therrien has served as statistician for the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regional, produced tournament notes for the Division I/II/III Men’s Lacrosse Championships and served as a local committee member and ticket manager for the 2011 Division III Field Hockey semifinals and finals.  He was also a photography steward for the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship opening round in 2010.

“I am honored to take this expanded role at WPI.  I can’t wait to be able to promote the great teams and outstanding student-athletes at one of the top academic institutions in the country on a fulltime basis.  I’m very thankful to Dana Harmon and the administration for the opportunity,” said Therrien.

Therrien has also found time to be the publicity director for the Worcester Area College Basketball Association (WACBA) for two years.  He’s been a major off-field contributor to the East Side American Legion Post #201 baseball team for six years.