A Tribute To Our Fallen KOS Brother Mark Theis

When I started Kee On Sports in 2018, my mission was to build a family with my writers, podcasters, broadcasters, parents of the players, coaches, and fans.  One of those employees who became family was Mark Theis.  My heart is broken today as my friend passed away this morning.  Mark will be sorely missed by the entire Kee On Sports family.

He was a hard worker, loyal and driven to be his best self.  Mark would often consult me on his articles as to how he could improve.  Weekly phone calls from Mark during High School Football and Basketball seasons were a given.  I cannot begin to tell you how many phone calls between us resulted in minutes of nonstop laughter and jokes.  He was hilarious!

When I found out that Mark didn’t own a computer and was going to the library to publish his work, I couldn’t be mad about it because he was such a good man, the 11pm deadline didn’t mean anything and I was happy to accept the work the next day.  He was that good of a guy, there was no way I could be mad.

He loved covering High School sports and truly cared about the kids.  So often I’ve seen people look at the kids as numbers, or their next paycheck, not Mark as he knew the Kee On Sports motto was to care about the athletes as people, not jersey numbers.  He was fully invested and it didn’t matter the drive I asked him to make, he made it! When I was struggling to find writers on the west side to cover girls basketball for me, he was one of the first people to step up and embrace the challenge.

Mark was genuine, he wore his heart on his sleeve and would do anything to help anyone.  Again, he fit the Kee On Sports motto to perfection and at the same time, he was someone I wanted to call friend.

This tribute would not be complete unless I shared my favorite Mark Theis story, and ironically, it is my first memory of him that will forever be burned in my brain.  It was August of 2020 and opening weekend for High School Football season.  Mark was assigned the biggest game on the slate, The Silver Rail Rivalry as Avon traveled to Avon Lake on his first night on the job.

Now, I already know people reading this are thinking, “why weren’t you there?”  This was the covid year and we had worked with Olmsted Falls to broadcast all their home games which they also had that night.  This is back when I was still calling games, and needed a writer in Avon Lake.  I was stuck, and with the crazy way it worked out, Mark was my only option.  I was nervous sending a “newbie” but had blind faith in the man to get it done.

Well, as some of you may remember, that night it stormed for hours and his game was postponed to the following night.  I woke up the next day and told my wife Emily, “our anniversary dinner is off, I’m sorry but the Silver Rail game got moved to tonight and I have to go cover it”.  You see, I thought for sure that there was no chance Mark was going to use both of his weekend nights on Kee On Sports, just to help me out of a jam so I can spend some rare time with my wife on our wedding anniversary.

To my shock, this man who I had only met over the phone at the time, called me and re-assured me he would go cover the game.  He was a team player, and to a company owner, that is like holding a piece of gold in your hands.  He was selfless!

Mark went to the game, climbed the Mount Everest of stairs that is the Avon Lake home stands just to get to the press box, and witnessed one of the greatest games in Lorain County History as the Eagles overcame a massive deficit to win a thriller in double overtime.

After that night, Mark begged me to get him as many Lorain County Football games as possible.  He was hooked on Friday Night Lights!  After that night, he became a staple for Kee On Sports.

I’ll miss him, we all will miss him!  Mark, you are my brother in the arms of Christ, and now you get to walk with him.  God Bless you my friend and thank you for everything.

Now, in his honor, below is the story he wrote that fateful night in Avon Lake.  ( and yes, the picture says Avon, but the game took place in Avon Lake)  RIP my friend!

Avon Stuns Avon Lake With Furious Rally To Win 33-30 In Thriller