46 min
Episode 04: Remembering Mark Halvorson SportStories
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- Sports
Anyone who has had a life-changing coach in their lives can relate to the character of Mickey from the "Rocky" films. There was no mistaking Mickey became a father figure to Sylvester Stallone’s struggling-but-driven title character. Mickey taught him to box by explaining technique and strategy — but also through a lot of tough love. Love for boxing, and love for Rocky and who he wanted to become.
When Mickey finally cracks a smile, you see it.
Now imagine if Mickey taught wrestling, and not just to one pupil but several thousands of youth over the course of three decades. Imagine if he was accessible not just to the talented kids who would fill the trophy case, but to kids who just wanted a sport they could push themselves in and a place to find camaraderie.
Mark Halvorson was just that. As the wrestling program director at the Community Youth Center in Concord, California, he opened the door of wrestling to countless youth from all backgrounds, and became a father figure to so many of them. He did it while also building a program that DID fill the trophy case and became internationally known. At the same time, he also built De La Salle High’s wrestling program into a regional power that won 11 of the last 12 North Coast Section titles.
In mid-February, he passed away as a result of a heart attack at age 57. For this episode, we brought in some of his most famous wrestlers — to celebrate a legacy that will undoubtedly endure.
Anyone who has had a life-changing coach in their lives can relate to the character of Mickey from the "Rocky" films. There was no mistaking Mickey became a father figure to Sylvester Stallone’s struggling-but-driven title character. Mickey taught him to box by explaining technique and strategy — but also through a lot of tough love. Love for boxing, and love for Rocky and who he wanted to become.
When Mickey finally cracks a smile, you see it.
Now imagine if Mickey taught wrestling, and not just to one pupil but several thousands of youth over the course of three decades. Imagine if he was accessible not just to the talented kids who would fill the trophy case, but to kids who just wanted a sport they could push themselves in and a place to find camaraderie.
Mark Halvorson was just that. As the wrestling program director at the Community Youth Center in Concord, California, he opened the door of wrestling to countless youth from all backgrounds, and became a father figure to so many of them. He did it while also building a program that DID fill the trophy case and became internationally known. At the same time, he also built De La Salle High’s wrestling program into a regional power that won 11 of the last 12 North Coast Section titles.
In mid-February, he passed away as a result of a heart attack at age 57. For this episode, we brought in some of his most famous wrestlers — to celebrate a legacy that will undoubtedly endure.
46 min