Thomas Adds JMU Hall of Famer Mark Gabriele to Women’s Tennis Coaching Staff

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Head Coach Tyson Thomas announced the addition of Mark Gabriele to the women's tennis coaching staff where he'll serve as a mindfulness specialist assistant.

"It is no secret that in order to consistently succeed at the highest levels, athletes must acknowledge the power of their mind. We are thrilled to welcome Mark Gabriele to the coaching staff as a mindfulness specialist who understands that true mastery comes from the ability to stay present and composed under the highest stakes," Thomas said. "I have no doubt that Mark's presence will continue to have a profound impact on all of us and couldn't be more grateful to have him on board."

Drawing on his experience as a former JMU student-athlete, neuroscientist and longtime contemplative practitioner and teacher, Dr. Gabriele brings an integrative approach to mental performance coaching with the JMU women's tennis program.

Working closely with the Dukes in practices in matches, he guides athletes in cultivating focus, resilience and composure under pressure while strengthening confidence and clarity on and off the court. Combining brain science, mindfulness and lived experience, he helps student-athletes overcome blocks to natural flow and peak performance, while fostering mental wellness and a renewed connection to the joy, creativity, and love of the game.

Dr. Gabriele is a 2006 inductee to the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame as a men's swimmer, in which he was part of four straight Colonial Athletic Association championships and three Eastern College Athletic Conference titles. As an individual, he won eight individual CAA titles and was a member of 14 relay teams that won conference crowns.

On campus, Gabriele is a professor in the department of biology and lead coordinator of The Serenity Center at JMU.

Gabriele graduated from JMU in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in biology (with honors) and later earned his Ph.D. in neurobiology and anatomy in 2000 from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He also received a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience in 2001 from Wake Forest.

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