Mark Cross – Assistant Coach
Born: August 15, 1990
Hometown: Strasbourg, SK
Simply special, vibrant, the heart and soul of the team, amazing mentor, ferocious competitor, everyone’s best friend, commanded respect, led by example, down to earth, selfless and kind, genuine, crazy in love, infectious laugh and amazing smile, salt of the earth, ultimate teammate, made everyone around him better.
Mark loved holidays, especially Christmas, for the love and sense of ‘togetherness’ that it brings. His joy during the holidays was infectious, but no matter what time of year, he always had a smile on his face and was ready to participate in any game that was being played. Mark was the first to include everyone, and never hesitated to stick up for those who weren’t able to stick up for themselves.
Mark was involved in many different sports during his high school career such as volleyball, badminton, track and field, golf, cross-country, dance, and of course, hockey. Most of his early hockey was played in his hometown of Strasbourg, but he also played higher levels of AA, AAA, and SJHL in Lumsden, Pilot Butt, Tisdale and Estevan. Following his Junior years in Estevan, Mark was offered a scholarship to play CIS hockey at York University in Toronto. His competitive nature and natural athleticism helped him excel in anything he attempted, but teamwork and respect were always at the center of his thoughts and actions. This combination of incredible qualities made him a natural leader, and he won many accolades for his skill and leadership in hockey from the various teams he played on. He earned awards like the Bill Schinske Ethics Award – Dedication, Determination, Desire (Estevan Bruins), MVP (York Lions, Strasbourg Maroons), Most Popular Player (Estevan), Rookie of the Year (Estevan), Most Valuable Player (Strasbourg), Heart and Soul (Strasbourg), Sports York Graduate Award (York University) Sports Excellence Award (York), Memories and Dreams of Maple Leaf Gardens Award (York), Stuart G. Robbins Award (York), Arthur C. Johnson Bursary (York), Men’s Hockey Achievement Award (York), Lions Achievement Award (York), to name a few. His leadership skills and strength of character made Mark a great role model and an excellent choice for the Assistant coaching position with the Humboldt Broncos.
Sports was not Mark’s only strong suit; self-development and improvement were a way of life for him. He was also very academic, and his commitment to excellence earned him York’s Academic All-Canadian Award for maintaining a high GPA while being a high performer on the ice. He graduated with Honours from York University with a degree in Kinesiology.
After completing his Junior A hockey with the Estevan Bruins, Mark attended York University in Toronto, Ontario. He became a member of the York Lions Men’s hockey team from 2011-2016. While there, Mark left behind an amazing legacy.
“…I’ve been coaching 20 plus years and he ranks right up there as the most impactful player that I’ve ever had in terms of sitting in a room as a staff and looking up to somebody in the dressing room, just his importance, the way he attacked life, the way he treated individuals,” offered Herrington.
“Mark set the standard of what a York Lion is to be and is a great example of what we want all of our student-athletes to strive to achieve,” said Lions Head Coach Russ Herrington. “As a three-time assistant captain, a multiple time academic all-Canadian, and the team MVP, Mark left a legacy behind on the ice, in the dressing room, and in the classroom that not only carried on to this day but will stay with us for many years to come…”
“We won a OUA championship the year after Mark graduated, but he was the main reason we won it – and he didn’t even play on our team that year. His impact on changing the culture, and kind of not only holding people to a higher standard, but pulling them up to that standard, remains to this day.”
“Mark was a very special individual who exemplified everything we strive to be as Lions. Mark Cross Memorial Day is very special to us. It provides an opportunity to publicly remember Mark and ensure who he was is a core part of who we are. The spirit of Mark lives in each one of us and we encourage all our student-athletes to live his values every day…” Jennifer Myers, executive director of York Athletics and Recreation.
In his 27 years, Mark shared more joy and inspired more people than most do in a lifetime. He is greatly missed and forever loved.
Mark Cross Memorial Sports Fund - Through this fund, his family have been able to sponsor many individuals, teams, groups, organizations in our community and surrounding area. The focus of this Fund is to promote sports, fitness and healthy enhancing activities.
MC18 Scholarship – established by his family and is awarded to a graduating student from William Derby School. The potential recipient must be a student who is academically successful, actively involved in sports/activities/community, and clearly exemplifies the qualities by which Mark lived.
Mark Cross Annual Golf Tournament - The Strasbourg Maroons Senior Hockey team created this event with a portion of the profits being generously donated to the Mark Cross Memorial Sports Fund.
Mark Cross Memorial Hockey Tour - The York Athletics and Recreation Department/York Lions Men’s Hockey have made great efforts to keep Mark’s memory alive in so many ways. In the fall of 2018, the hockey team organized this tour where the Lions came out West to play hockey.
Mark Cross Memorial Game – Mark’s jersey number was 18 when he played at York University Each year York University holds a memorial game on the 18th game of the men’s hockey team’s regular season where they host Mark’s family for the weekend. As a result of the 2020-21 hockey season being cancelled, York created a Mark Cross Memorial Day on January 18th. During this day donations (in multiples of $18.00) were made toward the York Mark Cross Memorial Fund. Videos of individuals doing 18 reps of an exercise of choice was posted to social media as were selfies of individuals wearing MC18 gear (sold annually at York). Also, students posted videos talking about how they live the CROSS pillars of Character, Respect, Optimism, Sacrifice and Selflessness.
Mark Cross Memorial Scholarship - York continues to honour Mark’s life and legacy and have established this scholarship by the York Athletics and Recreation to honour Mark’s memory through coaching initiatives and student-athlete scholarships. It is presented annually.
The Heart of a Lion Award - created by York University Lions Men’s Hockey team is presented annually to the player who best embodies Mark’s spirit by exhibiting elite levels of Character, Respect, Optimism, Sacrifice and Selflessness.
The culture Mark helped to create is alive and well at York University!