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"It was a great
honor to receive the Mark DeWalleCourageous
Heart Award. I am truly blessed to have received this award as it means a lot to my family and I. This will be a moment that
I will remember the rest of my life." Cameron Kozeny #45, November 21, 2016
Congratulations to #45 Cameron Kozeny, 2016 Mark DeWalle Courageous Heart Awardee
Head Coach Kent Heinemann with Cameron Kozeny. Many thanks to Coach
for inviting us to the banquet to see Cameron being awarded the Mark DeWalle Courageous Heart Award. We know Mark is
pleased.
What is the Courageous
Heart Award and why is it presented every year? Mark DeWalle loved Mehlville football. Like every
Panther that has ever stepped onto the football field, Mark reaped the benefits of being a Panther. Mehlville Football
instills the love of the game, but perhaps more importantly the allegiance to teammates, coaches and the players themselves.
Mark was a champion of football as well as life. In his final and finest hours, he was surrounded by his teammates and
coaches...almost seven years after he left the football field. It was his dying wish that his future Panther brothers
not only strive for excellence on the field, but for excellence off the field as well. Nine hours before he died, a
promise was made that each year a Mehlville Football Panther would be honored for their understanding of brotherhood, teamwork
and compassion for others These are the qualities the sets the brotherhood of Panthers from all others.
 Why is it called the Courageous Heart Award? Mark was wearing two medals when he died. One was his 1999 State Championship Medal. The other
was the prestigious Fellowship of Christian Athlete's "Courageous Heart" presented at an FCA football camp.
The camp theme for the year Mark was awarded was "Strong to the Finish". It is fitting that this special
award given to a Mehlville Football player be called the Courageous Heart Award. The award was designed by Panther
Alumni and friend/mentor to Mark, Scott Pope. "Strong to the Finish" not only describes Mark's
football and life challenges, but also describes every Panther football team. It is engraved on the medal as
well as Mark's grave.
Who decides who receives the award?
Every Mehlville football Panther has the potential for receiving the award. Coaches, teammates,
and administration, by examining players that best characterize the respect and honor of the program determine the recipient.
Care is given to identify the player that demonstrates loyalty and compassion to the program, their teammates and others.
The award is not about Mark DeWalle. The award is about the individual recipient of that year.
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
brotherhood.
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.
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.
Mark 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 Courageous 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 recipients of this award.
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. --John DeWalle, Excerpts from 2007 banquet award presentation
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| Eddie Grochowski |
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2015 Eddie Grochowski
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"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-
I am the very proud father of Brian Foppe. I want to thank you for Courageous
Heart Award given to Brian at the MHS football banquet last night. It is an incredible honor for us to have Brian forever
associated with Mark, the Dewalle Family, and past winners. (Tyler & Dave) This award will always hold a special place
in our hearts. I have spent most of the morning on Mark’s website. What an awesome tribute to an obvious awesome man.
Thank you again, our thoughts and prayers will be with you always. --Brian Foppe-- I can't express enough
to you and your family how much this award means to us. I am so proud, humbled and honored that Brian was chosen for this
special award in honor of your son/brother. It is by far the proudest moment as a parent that I have ever had, and means more
than any other award that Brian has ever received. Barb I feel blessed that Brian will always hold a special place in your
hearts as well as Mark in ours. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you always. -–Lynn Foppe--
I am very honored to receive this award at the MHS Varsity Football Banquet. This award by far triumphs over any award
that I have received in my life. I will always know what this award means and will hold it close to my heart, --Tyler
Flachs--
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