Farewell to a fixture: Saugus High’s Schruender ends tenure with lasting legacy

By Dom Nicastro

In a candid conversation reflecting on a decade-long coaching journey, Mark Schruender shared a wealth of insights, tying together the threads of personal growth, team development and the bittersweet emotions accompanying his departure from Saugus High School’s girls’ basketball program. After 10 seasons at the Sachems’ varsity post, Schruender called it quits this season. The Saugus Middle School teacher and North Andover resident has a seven-month-old daughter, Addy, and the prospects of putting in 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. workdays on winter basketball nights didn’t seem appealing.

Tough to blame him.

Schruender’s teams were a consistent commodity in the postseason, making it the last six seasons. One of his teams, in 2017, won the Northeastern Conference title for the first time in decades. The team won 16 games, matched only by the 2020 team, in the past six seasons. Schruender’s teams never won fewer than 12 games in a season since that 2017 squad put 16 wins in the record books.

Schruender’s coaching philosophy, underscored by consistency and player development, led to an impressive track record. His strategic guidance propelled the team to six straight tournament appearances, a testament to the enduring success achieved under his watch.

With humble beginnings marked by seasons with only a handful of wins, Schruender’s story is one of transformation. From three victories in his first year to commanding a respected program, he fostered a culture of resilience and perseverance, demonstrating the potential of a well-cultivated team spirit. “We had some down years, too, but the process was really rewarding,” he reflected, highlighting the journey from underdogs to achievers.

The coach did not shy away from acknowledging the rough patches, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team’s ability to maintain momentum and secure a place in the tournament for the last six seasons is a stark reminder of its adaptability and tenacity in an uncertain time.

Schruender takes pride in the holistic development of his players, celebrating their success beyond the basketball court. His players’ transition to impactful careers and high-character individuals is a source of immense satisfaction for him. This focus on character-building resonates deeply with Schruender’s coaching ethos. “Seeing what they became … they made an impact on me,” Schruender said.

His retirement decision was not taken lightly, with family considerations at the forefront. The birth of his daughter marked a new chapter, prompting a shift in priorities. Schruender’s choice underscores the universal conflict many face between professional aspirations and family commitments, an aspect he addressed with the statement, “It’s a lot of time to be away,” when teaching and coaching a high school team in a different town from your family.

The incoming coach, Joe Lowe, is set to inherit a robust program, and Schruender’s confidence in his successor is palpable. With Lowe’s familiarity with the team dynamics and his own Saugus roots, Schruender anticipates a seamless transition, confident that the program’s legacy will continue to flourish.

Schruender highlighted the crucial role of community support in building a strong athletic program. Schruender commended the local youth programs and community efforts for their part in the team’s achievements, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between a town’s sporting culture and its high school triumphs.

While Schruender is content with his current role as a supporter and a parent, he leaves the door open for a potential return to coaching. His passion for the game and the impact of coaching on his life is evident, suggesting that his story in basketball may have future chapters yet unwritten.

“I really am probably the biggest fan there is of the players on the team right now,” Schruender said. “That’s what I like to say anyway, and I want to be there. If their staff needs anything, if Joe needs anything this year, I want to be there to help him out.”

Ultimately, Schruender saw his time in Saugus as a vivid tapestry of high school athletics’ transformative power. It was about building something larger than the sum of its parts – a winning program, yes, but also a nurturing environment where young athletes are groomed for life’s myriad challenges.

As Schruender steps back from the coach’s clipboard, his legacy at Saugus High School remains intact, in the lives shaped by a decade of guidance, on and off the court.

“And, as far as basketball goes in the future, who knows?” Schruender pondered. “I might miss it more than I realized this year. And I could be back sooner rather than later. But I think right now I’m very happy to be where I’m at.”