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Above: Mark in center #66 playing in 1999 State Championship
Finals, November 26, 1999
The Mark DeWalle Courageous Heart Medal
| The Mark DeWalle Courageous Heart Medal |
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| Designed by fellow Panther, Scott Pope #64 , 1997 |
Mark wanted very much
to leave his love of Mehlville Football to the future players of Panther football. He loved all of his teammates...those
that came before him, and those that followed. He was very pleased that an award would be presented yearly in his name
and memory. "Don't let it turn into a slap award," was the comment he made to his brother, John.
He wanted very much that players understand the importance of being a team and staying a team forever. He wanted
his future brothers to understand the importance of knowing one's body. He wanted his future brothers to understand
that what they learn as Panther football players...they will be able to use throughout their lives and in what ever battles
they may face. Hehoped the recipients would be players admired not just by the coaches....but by the administration
of Mehlville and most importantly, their fellow teammates. He wanted the recipient to be the player that others would
call in future years. He wanted the recipients to be the one that players from that year would remember with honor.
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| 2007 Mark DeWalle Courageous Heart Medal |
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| Tyler Krueger with Mark's brother, Coach John DeWalle |
"I want to thank you and you family again for awarding
me with the Courageous Heart Medal. Ever since I received the award I know you had been in contact with my mom and she told
me about this website. Ever since I heard about it I've found myself on the site almost every day reading your posts and
learning about the great young man that Mark was. I never got the pleasure to meet Mark, but I find myself to be alot like
him. I will always cherish the bond that I will always have with your family through this very special award. Ive received
many trophies and awards in my life, but never have I been more honored then at the banquet when I received that medal. I
will remember that moment for the rest of my life. Thank you again and I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are still
with the Dewalle family everyday." -Tyler Krueger-
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John's speech in presenting the first Courageous
Heart Medal
I
have always been proud to have been a Mehlville football player. It is one of the things that I have always held close
to my heart. It is truly a brother hood.
Many of you know of my brother, Mark. My brother loved Panther
football more than anyone I have ever known. When he was in grade school and junior high, he used wait under the goal
post to catch the PATs. In little league, he wore the number of his favorite Mehlville Football player. From the time
he was 11 years old, Mark never missed a Panther football game.
Mark was a varsity starter from his sophomore year
on. He holds the record for the most consecutive varisty starts in Mehlville football history. He unselfishly
switched positions many times to help make the team better: he played Quarterback, Fullback, Tight End, Center, Outside
LB, Inside LB and Guard. Mark understood that a committment to something bigger than oneself is more rewarding than
personal accolades. He was a member of the 1999 State Championship team. He was a team captain. He was awarded
the Most Valuable Offensive Lineman and the Most Valuable Linebacker award at his varsity banquet.
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2007: Tyler Krueger
Tyler Krueger, senior at Mehlville High School was awarded the first Courageous Heart Medal. Many comments
were made following the selection that not only was Tyler the perfect example of what the medal is to represent, but he also
established a high standard for future teammates. Tyler, like Mark, played in a state championship football game, and
his excitement can frequently be seen when watching #5 in action. |
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I remember when he had an interception at a freshman Lindbergh game. I remember his first varsity start.
I remember him as a sophomore intercepting a pass at a Parkway West varsity game. I also remember him intercepting cancer
just four years ago.
During the course of his illness, he fought hard. He was
quiet about his fight but never quiet about where he learned to fight. He repeatedly said that it was what he learned
as a Panther football player that gave him the strength and the skills to fight his biggest game.
Mark believed
that anyone who played Panther football was his brother. Mark loved his teammates. He knew that future Panthers
would be part of his destiny. He wanted others that followed him to appreciate what Panther football really has to offer:
life skills to meet any challenge.
When you walk off of the field for that last time in a Mehlville
uniform...win or lose...with tears in your eyes...you are men. You have the knowledge, the tools and the know how to
meet any challenge head on, unafraid. You understand committment and dedication not just to yourself, but to others.
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He wanted his future brothers to undersand the importance of knowing one's
body. He wanted his future brothers to remember that they will always be a team. When you walk out of here tonight,
you are still connected to one another. Mark wanted that connection to be forever.
You will always be teammates.
Remember to be there for each other. Remember your connections do not end here. When one of you goes into any
kind of battle..know in your hearts that your Panther football brothers are with you. Seek them out...they will be there
for you.
Juniors, your season is not over. Your senior season is just starting. Keep each other safe,
keep each other close to your heart. Know when you see each other in the halls...that the brotherhood of Panther football
spirit is there. It is unspoken..yet you will feel it. Nurture it. Stay a team. Work out together.
Set goals for one another. But most of all, be there for one another. That's what builds a team. That's
what strengthens brotherhood. That's what makes us Panthers. It is something you won't find at Oakville,
Kirkwood, Lindbergh or anywhere else. It is what makes us unique...and that is something Mark always knew.
Hours before Mark died, he requested that Coach Heyde come to see him. I know he wanted to hear from Coach that he
had done all he could, had fought the good fight, had played his hardest and that he left it on the field. I think too,
Mark wanted Coach to know how much he respected him...and how much he loved him. And Coach, at 11:30 at night, was there
for one of his players at the very end.
Mark died June 13th with his State Championship Medal on him. He
wanted this medal placed on him because I believe, he felt it represented his coaches, his teammates.....and this program.
Some of his very last thoughts were of Mehlville football. He wanted his teammates and coaches with him at the end.
He also requested that he have on the FCA Courageous Heart Medal he had been awarded several years ago.
Mark's
greatest fear was that people, especially his coaches and teammates, would think he was a quitter. This has never been
the case. With the support of Coach Heyde, the Boosters, our family wishes to award a very special medal starting this
year. It is a medal to honor that player who best exemplifies the understanding that what you take from the Panther
Football program are not just district titles, team and personal stats....but the understanding that you now have the tools
to meet any challenge that comes your way throughout your life.
Mark was without a doubt the most courageous person
I have ever met. When he was awarded the FCA Coruageous Heart Medal, it meant a lot to him, a lot to my family.
On his medal, it says "Strong to the Finish." This was an appropriate term for my brother's life.
It is an appropriate term for the first recipient of this award.
This year's recipient is the first to receive
this award. Through discussions with players, teachers, parents and coaches, I am honored and pleased that this player
is the first recipient. Continue to develop, continue to grow strong, continue to use the skills and the loyalty you
learned as a Panther. Continue to be there for your brothers. Keep yourself safe and healthy.
On behalf
of the coaches, the Boosters and my family, I wish to present this year's Mark DeWalle Courageous Heart Award to a player
who best exemplifies the spirit of this award....Tyler Krueger
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