Former Taunton athletic director puts together great run at 50 Williams Street

There will never be another Mark Ottavianelli on 50 Williams Street.

For over two decades, Ottavianelli helped reshape Taunton High athletics to where it is today.

Whether it was overseeing the renovation of the state-of-the-art Rabouin Field House, Buck Mahoney Baseball Complex, new tennis courts, current construction of the old Jack Tripp softball field while revitalizing Aleixo "Tiger" Stadium twice or just being the biggest fan of all sports teams, the former athletic director had his fingerprints and heart on just about everything.

"When I first came in, the school was at a good place," Ottavianelli said. "People like former AD Jack Morrissey were so great to me, teaching me about Taunton, the culture of the school and what we had to do.

"We were able to build upon that. We had a lot of work and help along the way. Everything we did here was in the best interest of our student-athletes. It has been an incredible run."

The New Bedford native recently retired after being hired as the school's fourth-ever athletic director in 2002. Former Parker Middle school assistant principal Rapheal Dowdye will take over his position at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

During Ottavianelli's 22 years as athletic director, the Tigers captured 10 team state titles, including his final one for the Division 1 softball team in 2024. The baseball team won three state titles, including back-to-back and the first in program's history in 2019. The softball team has won the last four state titles — seven in all. There have been other individual titles, including most recently the wrestling team.

"We have an incredible staff, beautiful facilities and the competition in the Hock has been great," Ottavianelli said. "I think [those] are the three things that highlight my career here. If you're a kid in the city of Taunton, you want to come here and be a Taunton Tiger."

Ottavianelli's most treasured achievements as athletic director came in 2012 when Taunton moved from the dysfunctional Old Colony League to the Hockomock League. The Tigers won eight state titles afterwards.

"I think that was one of the best things we did here was to move into the Hockomock League," Ottavianelli said. "When that opportunity came up, there were questions throughout the city and throughout our athletic department on whether or not we could compete.

"But our faith in the kids and staff, we knew our competition level was going to rise. The Hockomock League brought the best out of us and it's proven. Not only state championships but look at our other programs. We've raised our level across the board to that competition."

Ottavianelli has enjoyed many great sports moments as well, including watching the football team snap a 17-year drought by beating Bridgewater-Raynham in a double-overtime thriller in 2009.

"There are a number of games to remember," he said. "I think our state championships by far are the best. There are certain individual games that come to mind. That first championship for baseball, the five days we had to wait to play softball against Wachusett in the state title game at home in 2021 and individual moments in other sports.

"You can't single one out. There has been a number of them. We've been able to showcase our community. It puts our community, our school system and our kids in a good light."

Ottavianelli said he is very grateful to his wife, Marci, and his family for all their support throughout the years. He is also grateful to athletic secretary Sandy Altman and athletic trainer Kristine Coute, whom has been there with Ottavianelli throughout his journey all 22 years.

More: No. 3 Taunton softball shuts out No. 21 King Philip for fourth straight D1 title

He said many former students have come back to help out and be a part of various sports program during his tenture.

As Ottavianelli walks into the sunset toward retirement, there are no more late nights or late phone calls to answer to. However, he will miss the most important chapter in his life that will soon be a distance memory.

"I'm going to miss that competition piece," he said. "That knot in your stomach, hoping the kids will do well and do the right thing. Win or lose, they always competed and made us proud. That's what I'm going to miss most of all."

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Mark Ottavianelli leaves behind hard work and dedication to THS