The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame
Slawson, a multi-faceted athlete native to Summerville, S.C., logged a strong collegiate tenure at The Citadel from 1977 to 1981, concluding the four-year stint with numerous record-breaking performances.
On the football field, Slawson played as a wide receiver and kick returner from 1977 to 1980. Notably, he still maintains position in multiple places within the record book, including: longest pass play (79 yards, good for fifth), single-game receiving yards (201 yards, good for first; 178 yards, good for sixth), total receptions (87, good for ninth), receiving yards (1,509 yards, good for fourth), career all-purpose yards (3,007 yards, good for 11th) and total punt returns (101, good for first).
For the track & field squad, Slawson excelled as a sprinter from 1980-81, and still holds the school record in the 400m with a time of 48.9 seconds. He also played as a guard for the men's basketball program from 1977-78.
Beyond his athletic career at The Citadel, Slawson embarked on a professional football career, spending two years with the New York Giants before signing with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. He later joined the Buffalo Bills for the 1985 preseason.
After his playing days, Slawson transitioned into a career dedicated to youth development and education. He served as an educator, coach, disciplinarian and teacher-in-charge before becoming the Assistant Principal and later the Director of Youth Services for the Borough of Tenafly, N.J. In this role, he was responsible for designing the current facility's layout and creating comprehensive social-recreational programs for the borough's middle and high school-aged students. He continued his educational journey, earning an M.A. in Education with a focus in Administration & Supervision from the University of Phoenix along with an M.A. in Education with a focus in Sports Management from Adelphi University.
Slawson reconnected with the New York / New Jersey professional sports world as an educator, raising funds for the Borough of Tenafly and engaging with various charitable organizations. He organized and hosted numerous charity basketball games and golf tournaments, raising millions for various causes. After retiring from teaching and directing the youth center in New Jersey, Mark returned to Charleston, where he now teaches at Baptist Hill Middle High School in Hollywood, S.C. He is currently involved in promoting the LowCountry Charity Golf Tour.
