Members of the Union community recalled Mark
Stokes for his quiet and thoughtful nature, his strong passion for football,
and his “extravagant and wild” tee shirt collection at a memorial service
on Tuesday.
Stokes, a junior sociology major and starting defensive
end on the College's football team, died Sept. 17 as a result of an
automobile accident.
The football team dedicated Saturday's 42-6 victory
over Hobart, and the rest of their season, to the New Milford,
N.J., man.
President Roger Hull announced the establishment of
the Mark Stokes '03 Scholarship, to benefit students who best
embody Mark's character.
Football Coach John Audino recalled the time he met Stokes on
a recruiting trip, the athlete's high school coach advising, “He's
not going to say too much, but you'll see by the look in his eye that
he means business.”
“Three or four weeks later, Mark called and said
simply, `Coach, I'm coming,'” Audino said. “It was black and white with
Mark. There were no gray areas.”
Audino praised Stokes for his commitment to academics, to
the football team and coaches and to his family and friends. “He was
one of those guys who did everything he said he would do, and he
always did the right thing.”
Teammate Tony Metz '03 recalled Stokes' enthusiasm
for football and his ability to “make a three-hour practice seem like
10 minutes.” Metz also paid tribute to his teammate's “extravagant
and wild tee shirt collection,” which he often wore at weightlifting sessions.
Mike Rosenthal '03 recalled “the best friend I made at
Union” and the times they spent in dining halls, saying simply, “He loved
to eat.” Rosenthal also described Stokes' trademark form
of congratulations to teammates after a big play: “You're the worst!”