MARK FUN FACTS 

Always busy enjoying life.

 
 
“Mark’s ancestors settled in the 19th century north of Bogalusa. When the railroad was built through Hammond to Jackson, MS, they moved to Natalbany and later, in the 1930’s, south to Hammond. Mark’s family moved to Covington in the 1960s. So, technically, Mark is still a ‘come-here’.”
Mark Fun Facts
In his first year of pee-wee football on the Covington Cougars, Mark was significantly smaller than the other players. Due to his tenacity and determination, the coaches called him “Scrappy.” Near the end of one game he was put in at fullback and gi

In his first year of pee-wee football on the Covington Cougars, Mark was significantly smaller than the other players. Due to his tenacity and determination, the coaches called him “Scrappy.” Near the end of one game he was put in at fullback and given the ball to run up the middle. He was immediately flattened by Grant Nordgren.

In 1967, Mark saw the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” at the Star Theater. During the ‘intimate’ scene, his father covered his eyes.

In 1967, Mark saw the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” at the Star Theater. During the ‘intimate’ scene, his father covered his eyes.

The first New Orleans Saints training camps were held at St. Paul’s School - on what is today the baseball field. Mark and his friends rode their bikes regularly to the practices, often carrying gear for the players. Pictured is safety Obert Logan a

The first New Orleans Saints training camps were held at St. Paul’s School - on what is today the baseball field. Mark and his friends rode their bikes regularly to the practices, often carrying gear for the players. Pictured is safety Obert Logan and the St. Paul’s Cafeteria in the background.

“As an adolescent, Mark was particularly adept at foosball. He would sneak into the Sore Thumb Tavern (a biker bar on Columbia St. where Cilantro’s is located today) and play for money.”
Mark Fun Facts II
As a pre-teen, Mark hunted from Menetre Drive to Samantha Drive in River Forest. He shot his first squirrel on 15th Avenue near Menetre Drive. He and his friends fished both rivers and the golf course ponds in River Forest.

As a pre-teen, Mark hunted from Menetre Drive to Samantha Drive in River Forest. He shot his first squirrel on 15th Avenue near Menetre Drive. He and his friends fished both rivers and the golf course ponds in River Forest.

For Mark’s 11th birthday party, his friends all brought their mini-bikes, Honda Trail 50s and Trail 70s to River Forest. It was a motor-cross before there was motor-cross. Pictured in front of Mark’s home at 13 Kathleen Drive, River Forest.

For Mark’s 11th birthday party, his friends all brought their mini-bikes, Honda Trail 50s and Trail 70s to River Forest. It was a motor-cross before there was motor-cross. Pictured in front of Mark’s home at 13 Kathleen Drive, River Forest.

In seventh grade, despite being one of the smaller players, Coaches Leonard Willette and Sweet Cutrer named Mark “Lineman of the Year.”

In seventh grade, despite being one of the smaller players, Coaches Leonard Willette and Sweet Cutrer named Mark “Lineman of the Year.”

“At 14, Mark rode his bike from River Forest to Tchefuncta Estates. He and his friends played football on the golf course. He then placed his bike in Trey Blossman’s boat and went across the river to Covington Country Club. It was a long bike ride home from Covington Country Club to River Forest on old Hwy 190.”
Mark Fun Facts iii
In addition to football, Mark’s tenacity and determination were also evident in the world of Junior High Debate: River Forest Academy Speech and Debate

In addition to football, Mark’s tenacity and determination were also evident in the world of Junior High Debate: River Forest Academy Speech and Debate

St. Paul’s Debate Club, 1972. Mark is first row, far right.

St. Paul’s Debate Club, 1972. Mark is first row, far right.

As a teen, Mark worked for Mall Mart appliances (in the Bogue Falaya Mall) -- delivering and installing appliances throughout St. Tammany and Washington parishes. He and Karen would get a Patti-Melt at the diner in Murphy’s.

As a teen, Mark worked for Mall Mart appliances (in the Bogue Falaya Mall) -- delivering and installing appliances throughout St. Tammany and Washington parishes. He and Karen would get a Patti-Melt at the diner in Murphy’s.

“One of Mark’s earliest jobs was selling snowballs on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 25th Avenue, riding his ten-speed to work. His first bosses were “Pudge” and Rene Cox.”
Mark Fun Facts iv
In high school, Mark played saxophone in the St. Paul’s Marching Wolves. Mark is in the middle trying on the Saint Paul’s Band uniforms for the first time.

In high school, Mark played saxophone in the St. Paul’s Marching Wolves. Mark is in the middle trying on the Saint Paul’s Band uniforms for the first time.

Decades later he marched again with #4 son, Nick. Mark was OK on the sax. Nick was very good on the quad-toms. Pictured are father and son performing together at SPS 100 Year Anniversary Halftime.

Decades later he marched again with #4 son, Nick. Mark was OK on the sax. Nick was very good on the quad-toms. Pictured are father and son performing together at SPS 100 Year Anniversary Halftime.

Mark paid his way through LSU by operating a fireworks’ stand on Claiborne Hill during the Fourth of July and Christmas holidays. He would live in the fireworks stand for 10 to 14 days at a time.

Mark paid his way through LSU by operating a fireworks’ stand on Claiborne Hill during the Fourth of July and Christmas holidays. He would live in the fireworks stand for 10 to 14 days at a time.

“As a child, Mark lived on 14th Avenue and Harrison Street. Later, Mark and Karen lived on 23rd and Harrison St., then on 20th and Harrison St. Today they live on 22nd and Harrison Street. Mark likes Harrison Street. ”
Mark Fun Facts v
Mark was an avid fan of The Muppet Show. To this day, his “Kermit the Frog” often accompanies him and Karen on their travels. Mark explains Meso-American ball to Kermit at Chichen Itza. The losing team is sacrificed to the gods.

Mark was an avid fan of The Muppet Show. To this day, his “Kermit the Frog” often accompanies him and Karen on their travels. Mark explains Meso-American ball to Kermit at Chichen Itza. The losing team is sacrificed to the gods.

As a home-builder in the mid 1980’s, Mark introduced the on/off door switch for closet lighting in new homes. Open the closet door, light comes on. Close the closet door, light goes off. You can credit or blame Mark for the innovation.

As a home-builder in the mid 1980’s, Mark introduced the on/off door switch for closet lighting in new homes. Open the closet door, light comes on. Close the closet door, light goes off. You can credit or blame Mark for the innovation.

Mark’s favorite form of exercise is Zumba. He is not nearly as good at it as he thinks he is. Mark’s 2nd favorite form of exercise is “step class.” He’s not bad.

Mark’s favorite form of exercise is Zumba. He is not nearly as good at it as he thinks he is. Mark’s 2nd favorite form of exercise is “step class.” He’s not bad.

“At LSU, Mark began to dance the ‘Gator.’ He can still ‘pop a gator’, but it hurts more now than it did back then.”
Mark Fun Facts 6
In 2007, Mark placed the four iconic musical notes of LSU’s Pre-game on a few shirts for himself – gold notes on purple, purple notes on gold. Folks liked it.

In 2007, Mark placed the four iconic musical notes of LSU’s Pre-game on a few shirts for himself – gold notes on purple, purple notes on gold. Folks liked it.

Perlis’ Men’s Store carried the shirts for years and Mark’s website shipped the shirts across the country. He eventually licensed the images back to LSU, who made t-shirts which they sold at the Bookstore and at concessions around Tiger Stadium on g

Perlis’ Men’s Store carried the shirts for years and Mark’s website shipped the shirts across the country. He eventually licensed the images back to LSU, who made t-shirts which they sold at the Bookstore and at concessions around Tiger Stadium on game day.

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Mark looks at the world differently. Where others see problems, Mark sees solutions. Where others seek conflict, Mark seeks resolution. Where others believe that The End justifies the Means, Mark believes facilitating the Means leads to a Just End.