To A Coach Dying Young: In Remembrance of Mark Halvorson of De La Salle Wrestling

A. E. Houseman wrote the elegiac poem "To An Athlete Dying Young." It's haunting. mysterious beautiful and tragic. It resonates with too many of us for sports has carried more than one story of the subject: Jill Costello. Hank Gathers. Jose Fernandez. Len Bias. The list looms long. But where is the elegy or the essay for the coach who dies young? Perhaps that will be the story of Mark Halvorson, the head coach of wrestling at De La Salle High School. He died of a fatal heart attack on February 15, 2021. 

Comparatively speaking, Halvorson was not young. Costello was 21; she had just gradated from Cal Berkeley. Gathers died at age 23 after collapsing for the second time that season during the semifinals of the WCC Tournament in 1990. I still remember my students who prayed for the family of Fernandez. He was but 24 years of age and a rising superstar. Bias never had the chance to prove his greatness. He died at the age of 22 two days after he was drafted by the Boston Celtics.

Mark Halvorson was 57 years young. I learned of his passing in The Union, the alumni magazine of De La Salle High School. I could hardly believe what I read.

I never met Coach Halvorson, but I taught about his in many of the presentations I give to coaches. I had a lengthy conversation with the coaches at Saint Francis, where I work about him and his program. I had to. Why? Wrestling is fascinating. As one of the original Olympic sports, I can't help but have respect for these athletes. Furthermore, I don't know a football coach in America who wouldn't want his players to participate in wrestling. George Kittle certified. Perhaps in this day and age of specialization the numbers are low, but I'm curious. One must wonder to what degree the success of De La Salle football is because of De La Salle wrestling. But it was Halvorson's outlook and philosophy that made me take notice. He said,

The early years at De La Salle were challenging, as the program was still very young. “We were just trying to teach the kids to like the sport of wrestling. That first year, there was no wrestling culture. My team goal was to finish 3rd place in league, and the kids thought I was out of my mind,” said Halvorson. “It was more about teaching than training, and we were constantly motivating the kids.”

I love that he named a realistic goal. DLS is dominant in so many sports. To enter into the community and set your eyes on third place? I have no doubt this athletes questioned his vision. Who wants the bronze?! But Halvorson's sight and his vision were in line. I ripped this page out and have kept it under my coaching file all these years. Good stuff.

As a cross country coach, I understand the challenge a coach is presented with in getting an athlete to like the sport. However, I find that challenge to be a worthy one.

"Teaching, training and motivating"—that's the stuff  that makes the impossible possible and that which is hard—well, not necessarily easy...but enjoyable in its own right. What a gift for a young person to discover, encounter and embrace.

The team culture that Halvorson is responsible for at De La Salle is but one part of his legacy. In the article "Colleagues stunned by death of De La Salle's Unforgettable Coach," Mitch Stephens writes, He "elevated the Spartans to unprecedented heights — 11 North Coast Section championships in the past 12 years — but he was also regarded as one of the nation’s most influential leaders within USA Wrestling’s national Greco-Roman program."

De La Salle Athletic Director, Leo Lopoz said  "He brought the attributes of just a living, caring person and always wanting to make himself available.

“Wrestling is a tireless sport for coaches. State wrestling is like five days. His unselfish behavior for others cannot be matched. He did things that other coaches just couldn’t or wouldn’t do and the sacrifices he made for others resulted in the love and admiration that is flowing from all of the student-athletes and coaches of the past couple of decades.It’s unfortunate that his career was shortened.”

And so it is— to a coach who died to young, we honor the late Mark Halvorson.

I would like his former wrestlers, family and friends to know that I dedicated the prayer during my session: "Mission of Sports, Vision of Spirituality: Athletics in Holy Cross Education" at the Holy Cross Institute in his honor. Other coaches and ADs throughout the country will continue to learn about his philosophy and his story.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Photo Credits
Coach and wrestler
Hug
Victory

Dear Steve Hartman...

Dear Steve Hartman,

I am scratching my head in wonder as I write this post. Bottom line: How do you do it? Just when I think I've seen and heard every "feel good" story to come out of a high school gym, swimming pool or in this case—from wresting mat—you find new ones. In fact, your work has me questioning the wisdom of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Chapter 1:9 proclaims What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun! Stories like Champion high school wrestler surrenders a match he could have won suggest otherwise. Each profile offers a new story; there is plenty that's new not only under the sun but "On the Road," too.

I would also like to extend my gratitude for sharing stories that portray young people in such a positive light. So many of your subjects are see a bigger picture; they often make choices that are profoundly countercultural. For this very reason, I have found their words and deeds put Christ's teachings to life. 

For example, Marek Bush, a sophomore from Central Valley Academy near Utica, New York illustrates vividly what St. Paul meant when he asked his congregation at Corinth to look around and see if they could find among themselves “the wise” and “the strong” of this world. Paul concluded, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:27). Everything about Bush's decision would seem foolish. Though he was the "weaker" opponent in this contest, his choice revealed a different kind of strength. As Richard Clifford writes, "In moments of such “weakness,” when conventional structures fall away, the divine intention becomes visible in unexpected ways." They also reveal how and why Christ was a great teacher. 

I encourage you to watch the video for yourself. You will gain a better understanding of St Paul who said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ;  for when I am weak, then I am strong."

No wrestler wants to be considered "weak." The sport demands an uncanny strength. This state championship however revealed a new strength. Just look at the crowd's reaction to the choice Bush made, and Logan accepted. The joy is palpable. The moment is worth holding...and sharing.

Please keep doing what you do, Mr. Hartman: seeking and finding new stories of triumph, heart, joy and inspiration. Thanks for letting us in on the lives of people who choose to be different...who show me what winning really is all about.

Oh, and I'll let you know if you ever stop making me cry.

In gratitude,
Anne Stricherz
Religious Studies Teacher, St. Ignatius College Prep

Photo Credits
Hartman
Marek Bush
Match