Christian Athlete Mark Joseph Sandstrom

Glory #33
January 1987- April 2003

I first met Mark via email in November:

"...Coach, I was surfing the web today and I came across your website again. I have seen it before, and I really like it. It's neat. When are tryouts? The group of guys I've played with every summer is not going to get together next summer. I'd really like to play for Glory...." Mark Sandstrom, Wrenshall HS

"Coach...I thought I'd write and ask you to come and watch me play...I've transferred to Wrenshall HS and we're not all that good a team, but we play really hard. Would you come watch?... In His Name, Mark Sandstrom"

Well, who could turn down such an invitation. I must admit I was not too thrilled to go watch initially because I had seen lots of games, and had put about 10,000 miles on my car already in preparation for Glory's spring tryouts. But, "the Spirit bears witness", and it was obvious to me from his mail that this young man was truly serving My Lord - I decided to go see if he had any talent.

As I entered the gym in Duluth, it was easy to spot Mark warming up. At 6'5", he towered over his teammates, most of whom were under 6'. It was only a short time before I was being entertained by this gentle giant from Wrenshall as he put on a valiant show in a losing effort. He hit jumper after jumper, dove on the floor for the ball, and pulled down rebound after rebound, against his 6'10" opponent.

How many times have I travelled outstate to seek out some talent that the Metro media has never commented upon. Here was another young man, unheralded in our state because his team was not having a superior season.

After the game, I looked up (as I usually have to) to meet Mark for the first time, along with his parents: Beth & Steve. We talked briefly and I gave Mark my usual gruff, noncommital speech: Well, Mark, you need to wear two ankle braces, not just one, and you know this team will be really difficult for you to make. It's a very steep slope at the 16U level! He and his parents graciously nodded in silence as I talked. Leaving the gym, I suppressed my smile knowing I would be sending him a letter of invitation to the March Glory 16U tryouts.

"...Coach, thank you so much for coming to watch me play last night. I know I didn't do very well, but I'll do better at tryouts. You'll see. In His Name, Mark Sandstrom"

Didn't do well! Are you kidding me. I wish every player I went to watch had such humility. Glory tryouts came and went, and of course the 7 coach evaluators placed Mark's name on the list for one of our two elite sophomore teams.

"Coach...sorry I didn't do well at tryouts last night...I will keep working on my game, and I'll play really hard for Glory. I'm really happy to be on the team! In His Name, Mark"

I couldn't believe my ears, when sophomore coach Nate Marsceau called me Friday night after Tuesday tryouts to tell me Mark was in a coma following a terrible car accident. Police determined at the scene that Mark's van had slid off the road Thursday morning as he drove to school. He had only been driving 25 mph, and his seat belt was properly fastened.

When I arrived at Duluth St. Luke's ICU, Beth hugged me, and smiled sheepishly as she said: "He's so big, it looks like he's about to fall off the bed. You know coach, his last words to me were: I love you mom."

I spoke with his trauma surgeon, two of his nurses and reviewed his medical care. Dr. Nelson had ordered all the right tests, and was giving Mark the very best of care, but Mark did not wake up from his coma. Tuesday, April 8, Mark Joseph Sandstrom went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ. Friday April 11, the shell of this wonderful Godly young man was laid to rest following a beautiful ceremony in the Wrenshall HS gymnasium. Steve said it was a bittersweet ceremony attended by more than 700 people. Mark's casket was framed by his Wrenshall HS #41 jersey and his Glory #33 jersey.

James 4:14 says "...life is a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away..." and 16 years is hardly even that. Rarely do I meet a young athlete who impresses me. Mark Sandstrom didn't just impress me, his enthusiasm, humility and love for others has changed my life forever.

Mark, we will all miss you.

Dr. Charles Paxson, Glory Elite

 

The Late Jim Valvano, Coach of the NC State l983 National Champions