Alumni Spotlight: Mark Burdett ‘76

Written by Carolyn Campion for the Possibilities issue of The Bridge
What might the future hold for a basketball and lacrosse athlete at Severn? What are the possibilities? For Mark Burdett '76, the answer is sports media and marketing. Mark is currently president of the major league lacrosse team Chesapeake Bayhawks. His role is to build the business side of the organization and increase the team's media exposure. He also serves as the point person for Chesapeake Park, the sports complex proposed for the old Crownsville State Hospital property. “Chesapeake Park is the culmination of my professional experience — business, media, sports, branding. To build this youth sports complex and impact Anne Arundel County in this way is a gift and a dream to me. I believe in it wholly, and I am really excited about it.”

Building a Career on a Love for Athletics

Mark's first experiences out of college were in radio and television sales for different D.C. stations, one of which broadcast Washington Bullets and Washington Capitals games. Mark explains, “As a sports fan, I was always envious of people that ran sports organizations. When I started out in sales, I made sure to stay close enough to sports that I eventually found my way into the business.”

He got his first big break a few years later while working at WJLA Television as a station manager. At the time, WJLA was the official broadcast partner of the Washington Redskins. While he was there, Dan Snyder bought the Redskins and started making a lot of changes to the business. Mark explains, “Everybody loved the Redskins in those days, and I felt the power of the brand. Dan was looking for help on the corporate sales and business development side. Not only was I the station manager, but I was a big sports fan. One thing led to another and he hired me.” 

Mark served as vice president of broadcasting there for one year, when he got a call from one of his boyhood friends and fellow Severn classmate, Steve Bisciotti '76. Steve had just bought the Baltimore Ravens. Mark explains, “He calls me up and says, 'Listen, Mark, you can't work for the Redskins ... I'd like you to come work for me.'” Mark agreed, and so the rivalry began! He spent the next 12 years with the Ravens.

Mark had an impressive run as vice president of sales and development with the Ravens. During his 12 years, he helped build the Ravens into a top tier brand that is still one of the most sought-after, positive, winning brands in sports. And to top it all off, Mark adds, “I started with a Super Bowl ring and I ended with a Super Bowl ring.”

Mark's move to the Bayhawks in 2017 pulled him out of semi-retirement. His friend Brendan Kelly, owner of Bayhawks, had been working to build the team franchise, consulting with Mark along the way. Eventually he asked Mark, “Hey, why don't you come on and run it?”

For two years, Mark Burdett has been “all in” at the Bayhawks, working tirelessly to take this organization to the next level. His motivation behind it all? Mark explains, “I think sports are one of the greatest tools to bring people together and to teach life lessons. I think that when you provide the right environment, more kids participate, more kids benefit, more kids grow and that is a good thing for our country and our society.”

It Started at Severn

Severn Athletics provided the “right environment” for his love of sports to grow. “Because of its size, Severn allowed everyone to grow into themselves. Whether it was the drama club or the lacrosse team, everyone needed to be involved or none of it would work because of sheer numbers. So everyone got a chance to be involved; every coach and club leader was recruiting.” That small size meant he could have leadership roles on the basketball and lacrosse teams and work with coaches who had his best interests at heart. His senior year, head lacrosse coach Kurt Kimball transitioned Mark from an offensive player to a defensive player. Mark explains, “It was the best thing that happened to me.” Mark credits Coach Kimball for getting him to the University of Maryland, where he was recruited by legendary Men's Lacrosse coach Clayton “Buddy” Beardmore. “I owe coach Kimball for that great opportunity. He is a friend of mine to this day.”

For a successful businessman who can clearly envision the future of a brand, Mark can also clearly look back on the school experience that shaped who he is. “Looking back at Severn, the thing that stands tallest is the lifelong friendships. My best friends are still my high school mates.” And of course, that includes Mark's wife, Nan Hiltabidle '77! While Mark may have sported a burgundy and gold jersey once, switched to purple, and now wears navy and light green, underneath it all, his blood still runs maroon.

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