Mark LaFrance Named HPU Assistant Athletic Director for Communications

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Mark LaFrance has joined the High Point University Athletic Department as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, it was announced on Thursday.

LaFrance most recently served as an assistant director of media relations at Ohio University.

In his role at HPU, LaFrance will oversee the communications, broadcasting and licensing departments while serving as the primary media contact for men’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, cross country/track & field and athletic director Dan Hauser.

“I’m excited to welcome Mark to the High Point University Athletics staff,” Hauser said. “I had the privilege of working with Mark during his time at Ohio and am confident he will bring a great passion in telling the stories of our student-athletes and programs in innovative new ways here at HPU.”

During his two years at Ohio University, LaFrance acted as the primary media contact for the men’s basketball team and also performed all communications duties for the volleyball, field hockey, men’s golf and track & field programs. He promoted four All-Americans and three MAC Players of the Year while coordinating publicity efforts for men’s basketball during the team’s run to the 2013 NIT and 2014 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

From 2010-12, LaFrance worked as the communications associate for the University of Notre Dame’s Monogram Club – the preeminent letter winner’s association in the country. In that position, he was responsible for developing the organization’s overall communications strategy while managing the Club’s website and editorial content. LaFrance also served as the contact for Heritage Hall and oversaw the museum’s annual updates.

Prior to his appointment at Notre Dame, LaFrance served for two years as a sports information graduate assistant at Providence College, receiving his MBA in May 2010. While at Providence, he served as the primary media contact for men’s lacrosse and women’s volleyball and was the secondary contact for men’s basketball. During his tenure with the Friars, LaFrance also acted as an assistant media coordinator for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball first-and second-round games held in Providence.

LaFrance graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. During his tenure at Syracuse, LaFrance spent three years as a student assistant in the Orange athletic communications office from 2006-08.

While studying as an undergraduate, LaFrance also served as a summer media relations intern for the New England Patriots prior to the team’s undefeated regular season in 2007. He continued working with the team in a game-day media relations role from 2007-2010.

A native of Bridgewater, Mass., LaFrance will reside in High Point. He is a member of the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).