Education
Prior to his professional career, he played high school football at Cranston High School West, from which he graduated in 1970, after earning all-state football honors as a senior.
Prior to his professional career, he played high school football at Cranston High School West, from which he graduated in 1970, after earning all-state football honors as a senior.
Van Eeghen rushed for over 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons from 1976-1978. He was also a Pro Bowl selection in 1977. He then played at Colgate University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1974.
While at Colgate, he set the school"s single-season rushing record in 1973.
Van Eeghen took over as Raider fullback from Marv Hubbard, also a Colgate alumnus. Playing for Oakland in Super Bowl XV, he was the game"s leading rusher with 75 yards on 18 carries.
He left the Raiders in 1982 as their all time leading rusher with 5,907 yards. Van Eeghen finished his 10 NFL seasons with 6,651 rushing yards, 174 receptions for 1,583 receiving yards, and 41 touchdowns (37 rushing and 4 receiving).
Mark van Eeghen has three daughters, including Amber van Eeghen (born 1980), who joined the cheerleading squad of his last team, the Patriots.
Amber took part in two overseas tours with the Patriot cheerleaders to perform for United States. troops in Japan, South of Korea, Hawaii, Portugal, Turkey, Iceland, Germany and England. She went to the University of Rhode Island, where she became captain of the "Ramettes" cheerleaders. She is currently married to former New England Patriots Pro Bowl center Dan Koppen.
He was a member of the Oakland Raiders (1974–1981) and for two seasons, the New England Patriots (1982–1983).