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Inductee
BLESS, MARK
BLESS, MARK
Born on August 27, 1961
Inducted On
May 18, 2024
Location Inducted
Camby, Indiana
Region Number
6
Avon High School
Coach
Greenwood Community High School
1980
Mark was All-State in football while at Greenwood and was a player for the South All-Star Team in the North/South All-Star game in 1980. He was also the IHSAA State Champion Wrestler in the Heavyweight division.
University of Indianapolis, Indiana State University
B.S. in Education, M.A. in Secondary Education
In 1983, Mark was named a Kodak All-American Player while at UIndy.
In 2023, Mark received the National Football Foundation's "Distinguished American Award". In 2024, he was inducted into the Mooresville High School Hall of Fame. Also in 2024, he received the Indiana Football Digest "Griddy's" Lifetime Achievement Award. Mark was an assistant coach in the 2003 North/South All-Star game and twice named Indianapolis Colts Coach of the Week (2003, 2004). In 2009, Mark was inducted into the University of Indianapolis Hall of Fame.
Mark and his wife Nancy, have two children: Cassie (Casey) Crone and Tyler (Courtney) Bless.
Mark began his coaching career as an assistant football coach at Terre Haute North from 1985-1990. He was head coach at North Vermillion High School from 1990-1995. He had a 39-14 record, won two WRC Conference Championships and the first IHSAA Sectional Championship in school's history, while at North Vermillion. Mark was the head coach at Mooresville High School from 1995-2010, recording a 110-53 record, three Mid-State Conference Championships and two IHSAA Sectional Championships. Mark then moved to Avon High School where he had a 92-56 record, winning four HCC Conference Championships, four IHSAA Sectional Championships, two IHSAA Regional Championships. Overall, Mark amassed a 241-123 record.