Mark Stephens' association with the sport of wrestling began many years ago.

In 1960 he joined the junior high wrestling team in seventh grade. His interest in sports continued into high school where he excelled in football and wrestling. His senior year he was named captain of both the football and wrestling teams at Elmira Southside High School. He was named all-city football and captured the New York state wrestling championship, defeating defending state champion Rich Koenig of Sherburne in the finals. Mark became Elmira Southside's first state champion.

Mark attended the University of Maryland for a year, continuing his wrestling career in 1967-68.

In 1968 he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam in 1969-1970.

When he returned from his service commitment, he attended Elmira College for one year and wrestled for Hall of Fame member and Cornell great Dave Auble. During this time Mark began serving as junior high wrestling coach in the Elmira school system. He also served as volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Elmira Southside High School from 1976-1988. Mark also co-founded and coached the Community Education Wrestling Club, also known as the "Cement Factory" during this period.

In 1988 he changed venues and started the junior high wrestling program in Horseheads, New York while also co-founding and coaching the Glider Freestyle Wrestling Clu" from 1988 to 2013.

Besides Mark's involvement coaching wrestling, he is also known nationwide as an outstanding referee. He was a New York state wrestling official for over 30 years while also refereeing college matches for 25 years and USA Wrestling freestyle and Greco-Roman events for over 20 years. He officiated the NCAA Division III National Dual Finals and NCAA qualifiers.

Mark served on the NYS Empire Games Central Region coaching staff for 20 years and was a volunteer assistant coach at Horseheads High School.

His love of wrestling is apparent to all who know him.

For his many years of dedication to the sport of wrestling, the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize the accomplishment and dedication of Mark Stephens by presenting him the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.