Mark Owens - Associate AD/Communications (Football) - Staff Directory - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Staff Directory

Mark Owens

Title:
Associate AD/Communications (Football)
Email:
Phone:
898-5057

August 2025

Mark Owens is in his 28th year at Middle Tennessee State University and currently serves as Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Communications, overseeing the strategic communications, media relations, and digital storytelling efforts for Blue Raider Athletics.

Since arriving on campus in 1998, Owens has played a key role in the growth and modernization of Middle Tennessee’s athletic communications operation. Under his leadership, the office has expanded significantly in both size and scope, supporting 17 NCAA Division I programs while managing the department’s official website, publications, and an expansive digital media presence.

As the communications landscape has evolved, Owens has guided the department’s transition into a fully integrated digital content operation. His office now oversees all official Blue Raider social media accounts while producing daily content through graphic design, photography, and video storytelling. Owens also hired the department’s first-ever full-time graphic designer and staff photographer, establishing the creative infrastructure that drives the visual identity and digital reach of Blue Raider Athletics. The department’s digital platforms now reach hundreds of thousands of followers across multiple social media channels, connecting Blue Raider athletics with fans, alumni, and recruits around the world.

Owens has also reshaped the department’s media strategy to better serve a digital-first audience. After several years of utilizing an in-house beat writer, he transitioned the role into a multi-media journalist position, expanding coverage to include podcasts, video features, sideline reporting, and on-site game coverage through video and digital platforms.

In addition to overseeing athletic communications, Owens plays a major role in the administration of the Blue Raider Athletic Hall of Fame, coordinating the annual selection process while also overseeing the promotion, historical records, and archival documentation of the university’s most accomplished student-athletes and contributors. Owens is also currently a member of the Conference USA Hall of Fame Committee.

Throughout his tenure, Owens has overseen dramatic improvements in the quality and quantity of the department’s publications and media outreach. The Tennessee Sports Writers Association voted Owens’ 2001 Blue Raider football media guide the best in the state of Tennessee. In 2002, Owens engineered Middle Tennessee’s first-ever Heisman Trophy campaign for quarterback Dwone Hicks, an effort that generated national attention for the program. During his tenure, Blue Raider student-athletes have earned more than 75 All-America honors.

Prior to arriving at Middle Tennessee, Owens spent seven years at the University of Memphis as associate media relations director. Joining the staff in 1991, he handled publicity and promotion for Tiger basketball while assisting with football. Owens also designed and produced football and basketball media guides that earned numerous awards, including two national honors. His 1994-95 guide was voted sixth best in the nation, and the 1996 football guide ranked 26th nationally.

A 1989 graduate of Virginia Tech and a native of Stuart, Virginia, Owens directed promotional campaigns that helped Memphis players Anfernee Hardaway, David Vaughn, Lorenzen Wright, and Cedric Henderson earn All-America recognition. His promotional “Penny” campaign for Hardaway in 1993 earned national acclaim. Owens, who earned a full-time role with the Hokies following his time as a student assistant, also assisted with promotion for Virginia Tech athletes including academic All-American quarterback Will Furrer and basketball standout Bimbo Coles.

Owens served as the local media relations director for the 2006 Sun Belt Conference Basketball Tournament and has also worked as assistant media coordinator for three conference basketball tournaments and the 1997 NCAA Tournament.

A member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC), Owens previously served on the organization’s radio and television liaison committee and remains active in university service at Middle Tennessee, including the University Relations Committee and the Athletic Department’s scholarship committee.

In April 2005, Owens received the Scoop Hudgins Outstanding Sports Information Director Award from the All-American Football Foundation. In 2014, his staff earned the Football Writers Association of America Super 11 Award, recognizing the nation’s top athletic communications offices. That same year, Owens received his 25-Year Award from CoSIDA.

Owens is married to the former Tara Young of Murfreesboro. He has a son, Tanner, two stepdaughters, Leah and Ashley, and four grandchildren: Emalyn, Lainey, Austyn, and Landon.