Mark Bavaro was born in East Boston, Massachusetts in 1963. Before his recruitment to play at Notre Dame University, Bavaro was a high school All-American at Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts. Originally recruited at Notre Dame by Coach Dan Devine, he played his collegiate career under Coach Gerry Faust. Despite dealing with injuries throughout most of his college career he attained All-American status as a senior and was drafted in the 4th round of the 1985 NFL amateur draft by the New York Giants.