Born in Atlanta and raised in Minneapolis, Mark went to the University of Minnesota, where he walked in off the street and was hired by this guy during his freshman year to cover the Gophers and double the inter-office drawstring quotient.

Along came stints at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Duluth News-Tribune and Macon (Ga.) Telegraph.

Eventually he graduated in late 2001, and spent a month driving around the country in said drawstrings before he was hired by the Ann Arbor (Mich.) News in 2003 to cover Michigan, Mid-American Conference college basketball and high schools.

In March 2006, the East Valley Tribune called, where he and his drawstrings currently reside.

That makes eight years of awards, Super Bowls, Final Fours, one rodeo, a national horseshoe championship and locking keys in the car with the car running. Twice.


Best sporting event you've covered — Boise State vs. Oklahoma in 2006 Fiesta Bowl

Event would you like to cover that you've never done — Masters

Favorite sport to watch — Jai-Alai

Favorite sport to cover — College basketball

Favorite movie — Caddyshack

Favorite food — Matzah Ball soup

Five favorite TV shows (current) — 30 Rock, Entourage, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Family Guy, The Office

Five favorite TV shows (all time) — Arrested Development, Seinfeld, Simpsons, Northern Exposure, Mystery Science Theater 3000

Favorite ice cream flavor — Blueberry Cheesecake

Favorite fast food joint — Chipotle

Favorite Muppet — Statler and Waldorf

Favorite 19th century U.S. President — (tie) William Henry Harrison and Millard Fillmore 

Favorite athlete nickname — He Hate Me  (Rod Smart)

Best sports memory - as a viewer — 1991 World Series, Game 6

Best sports memory - as a participator — Bowling a 257

First job — Arby's

Talent I would most like to have — Piano

City I would like to visit — Sydney

Best city I have visited — Inverness, Scotland

I'm addicted to — VH1 Classic and oranges