Community Contributor

Mark was the radio voice of Wausau High School football and basketball for 17 years, starting with the 1954 school year. During that time, Wausau High School enjoyed remarkable success in both sports. While serving in his play-by-play role, Mark called some 140 football and 300 basketball games, including the school’s state championship game in 1960. In the mid-60’s, Mark initiated and facilitated, what may have been, the first live telecast of a high school football game in the state of Wisconsin. The game, Wausau hosting Eau Claire Memorial, was broadcast on WSAU-TV, Channel 7.

Marshall Taylor asked Mark to host a special event before a capacity student body crowd at the school gymnasium featuring the Green Bay Packers “Gold Dust” twins, running backs Donny Anderson and Jim Grabowski, receiver Carroll Dale, and tackle Bob Skoronski.

In 1961, Mark started the Channel 7 All-Stars series recognizing the top area football players and the top boys and girls basketball players, which continues to this day. The teams recognize talented boys and girls from the entire Channel 7 viewing area.

Mark married 1954 Wausau High graduate Nancy O’Leary. Their 3 sons and 1 daughter graduated from Wausau East High School where they lettered in football, basketball, swimming, golf, volleyball, and softball. Mark feels as though his years serving Wausau High and Wausau East, during which he was also the radio voice of the Wisconsin Badger Football team, were among the most satisfying of his radio and television broadcasting career.

Finally, Mark will always be known for his signature sign-off statement: “Courage”