Franklin Pierce University Women's Basketball

Jill Markley is in her second season as Head Coach of the Franklin Pierce University cheer and dance teams. Markley brings more than a decade of experience in cheerleading as a coach, program director, and gym owner. In addition to her role at Franklin Pierce, she continues to serve as the Varsity Cheerleading Coach and Program Manager at Gardner High School, where she has led the program since 2012. Under her leadership, Gardner has earned multiple league, regional, state, and national championships across both fall and winter seasons. She is also the founder and Head Coach of Supernatural All Stars, LLC, a competitive all-star gym where she has coached teams from levels 1-6 and guided athletes of all ages to numerous national titles, including a bronze medal at All Star Worlds. In this role, she manages all aspects of the program—from athlete recruitment and staff training to budgeting, marketing, and community engagement. Markley holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Management from Becker College, where she graduated summa cum laude. She also completed the Project Management Certificate Program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and maintains several key certifications, including UCA SMART Coach, AACCA, and CPR/First Aid.

Mark Swasey enters his 13th season at the helm of the Franklin Pierce Women’s Basketball program in 2025-26. He is the 15th head coach in program history and also served as the Ravens’ 11th head coach from 2002-03 through 2008-09. Swasey ranks second all-time in program history with 185 wins and is responsible for leading the Ravens to their only NCAA Division II National Championship game appearance in 2009.  (2024-25) In his 12th season, Swasey led the Ravens to a 9-18 overall record with a 6-14 mark in the NE10. Senior forward Colette Mulderig (Scranton, Pa.) earned Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) All-East Region Second Team honors and was named to the NE10 All-Conference First Team. (2023-24) Franklin Pierce posted its best season in over a decade, finishing 20-11 overall and 13-9 in the NE10. The Ravens reached the conference semifinals and made their first NCAA East Regional appearance since 2013, advancing to the quarterfinals. The season was highlighted by a nine-game winning streak to close out the regular season, along with wins over the region’s top three teams: Saint Rose (#3), Assumption (#2), and Bentley (#1). Anna Badosa Soler was named NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference and All-Defense honors, and landed on the CCA East Region Second Team. Gisela Vazquez Segura was selected to the NE10 All-Defensive Team. Mulderig also had a breakout year, jumping from 105 points in 2022-23 to 350 total points in 2023-24.  (2022-23)- The Ravens finished 9-20 overall and 4-16 in NE10 play but advanced to the conference quarterfinals before falling to fourth-seeded Bentley, 70-54. Junior forward Ines Gimenez Monserrat was named to the NE10 All-Conference Second Team, while freshman guard Kenzie Sirowich earned NE10 All-Rookie Team honors.  (2021-22) Franklin Pierce closed the season 12-15 overall and 7-12 in conference play, reaching the NE10 quarterfinals after a first-round road win. Emma Carter earned NE10 All-Conference Second Team recognition, while sophomores Ines Gimenez Monserrat and Gisela Vazquez Segura were both named to the NE10 All-Rookie Team.  (2020-21) - The season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Ravens finishing 0-2.  In 2019-20 (hiring release), Swasey returned to Franklin Pierce for the first season of his second stint, finishing 11-15 overall and 5-14 in the NE10. Though the record was modest, the year marked the foundation for his rebuild of the program. Swasey emphasized culture and leadership development, getting to know his players on a personal level while encouraging multiple voices to step into leadership roles.  (2002-03 to 2008-09) Swasey’s first stint at Franklin Pierce remains one of the most successful eras in program history. He led the Ravens to six NE10 Championship appearances in seven years, compiling an 89-37 record over his final four seasons. The peak came in 2008-09 when Franklin Pierce posted a program-record 29 wins, won both the NE10 regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Swasey was honored as NE10 Coach of the Year and WBCA Division II Coach of the Year.  Prior to his return to Rindge, Swasey served as head coach at California University of Pennsylvania, where he went 50-19 from 2009-12 with NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2010 and 2011. He began his head coaching career at Norwich University from 1999-2002, compiling a 56-26 record and leading the Cadets to their first NCAA Tournament appearance while earning GNAC Coach of the Year honors in 2002.  Earlier in his career, Swasey served as an assistant coach at Keene State and Black Hills State and also coached high school basketball in South Dakota, where he engineered turnarounds for both girls’ and boys’ programs.  Swasey has a proven record of talent evaluation and player development. His most notable recruit, Johannah Leedham, became the program’s first All-American and was a four-time honoree, as well as the WBCA Division II National Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Under his leadership, Franklin Pierce also excelled academically, producing multiple NE10 All-Academic selections and ranking in the WBCA Academic Top 25 in 2007-08.  The Swasey File (291-211, 19 seasons – .580 winning percentage)  Franklin Pierce University (185-166, .527) 2024-25: 9-18, 6-14 NE10 – NE10 First Round  2023-24: 20-11, 13-9 NE10 – NE10 Semifinalist – NCAA East Region Quarterfinalist  2022-23: 9-20, 4-16 NE10 – NE10 Quarterfinalist  2021-22: 12-15, 7-12 NE10 – NE10 Quarterfinalist  2020-21: 0-2 – Season shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic  2019-20: 11-15, 5-14 NE10  2008-09: 29-6, 18-4 NE10 – NE10 Champion – NE10 regular season title – NCAA East Region champion – National finalist (#, @)  2007-08: 27-6, 18-4 NE10 – NE10 semifinalist – NCAA East Region champion – National quarterfinalist  2006-07: 17-11, 13-9 NE10 – NE10 first round  2005-06: 16-14, 11-11 NE10 – NE10 first round – ECAC champion  2004-05: 14-14, 10-12 NE10 – NE10 first round  2003-04: 8-19, 3-19 NE10  2002-03: 13-15, 8-14 NE10 – NE10 Championship first round  California University of Pennsylvania (50-19, .725) 2010-11: 23-8, 11-3 PSAC – PSAC finalist – NCAA Championship (second round)  2009-10: 24-8, 11-3 PSAC – PSAC finalist – NCAA Championship (second round)  2011-12: 3-3  Norwich University (56-26, .683) 2001-02: 21-7, 11-1 GNAC – GNAC finalist – ECAC Tournament (@)  2000-01: 17-9, 10-2 GNAC – GNAC finalist  1999-2000: 18-10, 9-3 GNAC – GNAC finalist – NCAA Tournament  (# WBCA Division II Coach of the Year | @ NE10 Coach of the Year | @ GNAC Coach of the Year) 

Bobby Fortes enters his second year as an assistant coach. He brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience to the men's and women's basketball program. As a player, he was a Division III All-American and league champion at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. His coaching career spans over 15 years at the high school level, where he earned Coach of the Year honors at three different schools and led a team to a state championship. He also served as a college assistant coach for three years. In addition, Fortes has worked as an official for 22 years. 

Ryleigh Homer is entering her first season as Assistant Dance Coach for the Franklin Pierce University Dance and Cheer Program.  With over 20 years of dance experience, Ryleigh has trained in a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. She has performed in numerous full-length productions, including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella, among others. She is passionate about helping dancers grow in both skill and confidence. Ryleigh graduated from Franklin Pierce in 2024 with her degrees in Psychology and History. She previously served as head captain of the club dance team during her time as a student. She is excited to return to the university in a new role and support the continued growth of the program.

Art Luptowski enters his second year as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's basketball programs. Luptowski returned to Franklin Pierce University in 2024, bringing with him decades of experience at the collegiate and professional levels. He previously served as the head coach of the Franklin Pierce men’s basketball team from 1989-1999, where he compiled a stellar 192-97 record, leading the Ravens to four NCAA Tournament appearances. Luptowski’s leadership played a crucial role in putting the program on the map, earning him honors such as NABC East Region Coach of the Year and NECC Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991.  After his time at Franklin Pierce, Luptowski spent 15 successful seasons coaching at American International College (AIC) before transitioning to the NBA, where he served as an Advanced Scout for the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans. Over his seven years in the NBA, Luptowski scouted over 600 games, providing in-depth analysis that helped shape team strategies. In recognition of his contributions to Franklin Pierce, Luptowski was inducted into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2024.