Mark Benishek, who has been with Notre Dame since 2008, is the assistant director of RecSports and oversees Rolfs Aquatic Center and the Rockne Memorial Pool at the University of Notre Dame. He also is in charge of planning and monitoring all aquatic events occurring within Rolfs Aquatic Center.
Prior to arriving at Notre Dame, Benishek served as a recreation site director intern with the Milwaukee Public Schools Recreation Department from September of 2005 until June of 2006. In his time there, he assisted the recreation program staff in planning and conducting a variety of community activities, interpretive programs, special events and outdoor recreation activities for public enjoyment. Benishek also served as a building director of the Gaenslen Community Recreation Center.
Benishek earned his bachelor's degree in community education and education policy from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 2006. Benishek then went on to earn a Master of Science in recreation management from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
While completing his master's degree, Benishek served as the Aquatics Director at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA from 2006-2008. In that role, he managed comprehensive aquatic programs for people of all ages and abilities and implemented several special events such as an indoor Ironman challenge all while also serving as a coach at the facility.
Since 2010, Benishek has also taken over the head swim coach position at Saint Mary's College (part-time) in addition to his position at Notre Dame. He will continue to serve both roles while eading the swimming program at Saint Mary's.
Benishek has been a high school boys' swimming coach at Cedarburg (Wis.) High School, an age group coach at the Ozaukee Swim Club (Cedarburg, Wis.), and a coach at the La Crosse YMCA over the past eight years.
