Mark Walton join the Mohawk Mountaineers coaching staff as an assistant in the 2023-24 season.
Walton was an assistant coach for the University of Guelph Gryphons women's basketball for six seasons.Â
Prior to returning to his alma mater to take over head coachin duties for the 2016-17, Coach Walton had served as an assistant coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of New Hampshire (NCAA D1) in 2010-11. In that role Walton was responsible for player development, recruiting from Canada and Europe and tactical advice.
Walton served as the head coach for Canada Basketball’s National Elite Development Academy (NEDA) girls’ team for two years from 2007 to 2009. During his tenure, the team became the first Canadian team to go undefeated on an international tour in France during March 2009. Additionally, a number of player’s he’s worked with went on to play for the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games including Natalie Achonwa, Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe.
Walton began his coaching and teaching career at Cathedral High School in Hamilton, Ont. He taught at Cathedral for 29 years and was the senior boys’ basketball coach for 27 seasons, posting a 723-86 overall record and an impressive 100% graduation rate. During that period, he guided Cathedral to three OFSAA championships (1984, ’94 and ’98), after going undefeated and garnering the No. 1 ranking in the country in each of those three seasons.
He served as a teacher from 1972-2001, specializing in English, Law, Special and Physical education. He was the head of the Special Education department from 1976 to 1981 and then the head of the Cooperative Education department from 1982 to 2001. Â
No stranger to Guelph, Walton lettered three years for the Gryphons, earning his bachelors in 1972 and was inducted into the University of Guelph Hall of Fame in 1985. He was named an OUAA All-Star and team MVP during both his second and third years.
