Personal
Mark Heckel is a native of Lock Haven, PA. A 1977 graduate of Lock Haven High School, he was active as a musician, athlete and student leader. He participated in the band program beginning in 7th grade, doing double duty in both the junior high school and senior high school bands from the 8th grade onward. As a high school musician, he was selected for PMEA District Orchestra, and competitively auditioned for and was selected to participate in PMEA District (3 years), Regional (2 years) and All-State Chorus festivals. He was the featured soloist at his high school baccalaureate service, and was a regular in music productions at the high school.
He was a three-year letterman in wrestling and track and field, being the 4th leading point scorer his senior year. He finished 3rd in the shot put in District 6 competition his senior year, the leading team point scorer for his school.
He graduated from Penn State with the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1981, after a distinguished career as a member of the nationally recognized Penn State Blue Band. He was a member of the Marching Blue Band for 4 years, three of those as a rank and section leader. He played 2 years in the Concet Blue Band, and 2 years in the Concert White Band. His other musical activities included 2 years of membership in the Penn State Glee Club, membership in the Penn State Jazz Blue Band, and four years of membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, professional music fraternity. He also was a member of the Penn State Thespians as an orchestra musician on numerous occasions. Mark also spent two years in the Army ROTC program while an undergraduate.
A walk-on, he was a four year letterman in track and field at Penn State, specializing as a shot put/discus and hammer throw/weight throw competitor. Still ranked among the top 10 all-time in the hammer throw event, Mark won numerous titles during his collegiate career. He as a three-time Pitt Invitational champion, Coaches Conference champion, and was a place finisher at major invitational championships. In post-collegiate competition, he has won numerous Keystone State Games medals, was a four-time National Masters Champion, and continues to compete at the national level.
Outside of his work life, Mark has been very active in the track and field community at the local, state-wide and national level. Certified by USA Track and Field at the Master (highest) level, he has officiated at every level from youth meets to the Olympic Trials. He has been selected for 3 Olympic Trials (1992, 2004, 2008), 2 Olympic Festivals and 3 Junior National Championships (all three times as a chief judge). In addition, he was named chief of electronic measurement at the 2005 Penn Relay Carnival (where he had been chief of the hammer throw for 7 years) and chief of electronic measurement for the 2005 NCAA Eastern Regional championships.
USA Track and Field has recognized him as one of the preeminent authorities on the use of electronic measurement. He has been a clinician at the USATF Annual Meeting, and has presented training seminars at the USATF National Indoor Championships and US Olympic Team Trials.
Mark has also be recognized for his coaching and administrative expertise by USA Track and Field. He has been named as assistant manager for the USATF Junior National Team that competed in the Pan American Junior Championships in the summer of 2005 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He also received his third consecutive "Outstanding Service" award from the USATF Officials Committee in 2004.
As a track and field clinician, Mark has been a presenter on officiating techniques for the Three Rivers and Mid-Atlantic Associations if USATF, and was one of four featured clinicians at the 2005 Pan American International Coaches Clinic. He has been selected as one of the featured presenters at the Massachusetts Track Coaches Clinic, and is a sought after clinician in high schools and colleges in Pennsylvania.
In 2005, Rob Lasorsa, President and CEO of the National Throws Coaches Association, named Mark as Vice-President for Media Relations; Director of the NTCA Hall of Fame; and Director of the NTCA Throws Safety Program. Mark is an active member of the NTCA, and speaks to throws safety when called upon.
Mark is married to the former Carole Stewart, a 1983, 1984g graduate of Penn State with a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education/Student Personnel. They have 2 sons, Kreg and Kade.
He was a three-year letterman in wrestling and track and field, being the 4th leading point scorer his senior year. He finished 3rd in the shot put in District 6 competition his senior year, the leading team point scorer for his school.
He graduated from Penn State with the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1981, after a distinguished career as a member of the nationally recognized Penn State Blue Band. He was a member of the Marching Blue Band for 4 years, three of those as a rank and section leader. He played 2 years in the Concet Blue Band, and 2 years in the Concert White Band. His other musical activities included 2 years of membership in the Penn State Glee Club, membership in the Penn State Jazz Blue Band, and four years of membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, professional music fraternity. He also was a member of the Penn State Thespians as an orchestra musician on numerous occasions. Mark also spent two years in the Army ROTC program while an undergraduate.
A walk-on, he was a four year letterman in track and field at Penn State, specializing as a shot put/discus and hammer throw/weight throw competitor. Still ranked among the top 10 all-time in the hammer throw event, Mark won numerous titles during his collegiate career. He as a three-time Pitt Invitational champion, Coaches Conference champion, and was a place finisher at major invitational championships. In post-collegiate competition, he has won numerous Keystone State Games medals, was a four-time National Masters Champion, and continues to compete at the national level.
Outside of his work life, Mark has been very active in the track and field community at the local, state-wide and national level. Certified by USA Track and Field at the Master (highest) level, he has officiated at every level from youth meets to the Olympic Trials. He has been selected for 3 Olympic Trials (1992, 2004, 2008), 2 Olympic Festivals and 3 Junior National Championships (all three times as a chief judge). In addition, he was named chief of electronic measurement at the 2005 Penn Relay Carnival (where he had been chief of the hammer throw for 7 years) and chief of electronic measurement for the 2005 NCAA Eastern Regional championships.
USA Track and Field has recognized him as one of the preeminent authorities on the use of electronic measurement. He has been a clinician at the USATF Annual Meeting, and has presented training seminars at the USATF National Indoor Championships and US Olympic Team Trials.
Mark has also be recognized for his coaching and administrative expertise by USA Track and Field. He has been named as assistant manager for the USATF Junior National Team that competed in the Pan American Junior Championships in the summer of 2005 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He also received his third consecutive "Outstanding Service" award from the USATF Officials Committee in 2004.
As a track and field clinician, Mark has been a presenter on officiating techniques for the Three Rivers and Mid-Atlantic Associations if USATF, and was one of four featured clinicians at the 2005 Pan American International Coaches Clinic. He has been selected as one of the featured presenters at the Massachusetts Track Coaches Clinic, and is a sought after clinician in high schools and colleges in Pennsylvania.
In 2005, Rob Lasorsa, President and CEO of the National Throws Coaches Association, named Mark as Vice-President for Media Relations; Director of the NTCA Hall of Fame; and Director of the NTCA Throws Safety Program. Mark is an active member of the NTCA, and speaks to throws safety when called upon.
Mark is married to the former Carole Stewart, a 1983, 1984g graduate of Penn State with a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education/Student Personnel. They have 2 sons, Kreg and Kade.
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