Teammate, friend, fellow.

I remember seeing Mark for the first time on the football practice field of Loyola Academy. I was instantly floored by his good looks; I can't remember knowing anyone who was blessed with better looks than him. He was a year younger, and he was a very gifted athlete. He was a hitter, as well as finesse player, and was a crucial player (along with more than a few class of '79 football players) that turned around the program from a 3-6 season the year before to an 8-3 powerhouse. We defeated New Trier in the first ever meeting of these two Northshore stalwarts,as well as key defensive victories over Gordon Tech and Brother Rice. We connected immediately in an almost unspoken understanding of each other. I went on to play at Brown University, and knew he was a Harvard man, although we never connected on the East Coast. He made me Laugh, a lot, and I know he found me a curious entertainment. We joked around in the Defensive huddle often, and when our backs were near the opposition's goal line, we always looked at each other and knew what we needed to do. I am deeply saddened by his loss, yet greatly comforted by his memory. With Love, Paul Powers.