❤️ Huddle Up and Let's Help Support Coach "Sparx" Mark Murray & His Family

This weekend, a tragic fire displaced several Mount Vernon residents — including our own Coach, his fiancée Anais, his 5th-grade son Hunter, and his preschool daughter Harlow.

By the grace of God, they are all safe and currently staying with family — but they left their home with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Coach "Sparx" is a proud lifelong Mount Vernon resident, a Mount Vernon High School graduate, and someone who gives his heart to our community every single day. He works at the high school, serving as the Varsity Head Coach, where he is loved by students, players, families, faculty, and staff alike.

In addition to all he does at the high school, Coach also runs the Mount Vernon United Youth Program, where he dedicates his time to nurturing the future of Mount Vernon. Through this youth program, he mentors countless kids, teaches them discipline and confidence, and gives them a safe, positive environment to grow.

If you know Coach, you know he is always the first person to step up when someone else is in need or hurting.

He motivates, mentors, and supports every student he comes into contact with — whether they are in his class, on his team, in his youth program, or simply a kid who needs a caring adult. As a coach, he does far more than teach the game. He lifts kids up. He listens. He encourages. He shows up in every way that matters — and more.

Coach is one of the most giving people you will ever meet.

He has paid out of pocket to make sure a player had equipment, taken kids home after practice so they wouldn’t walk alone, stayed late to talk with a student who needed guidance, and checked in on families going through hard times.

He also shows up for so many of our student-athletes — attending their games, cheering them on, and being present in the stands simply to support them. He goes out of his way to make sure students feel seen, valued, and encouraged, whether they are his players or not. His support extends far beyond the field or court.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for him.

With the holidays approaching, this loss is even harder.

Mark is not someone who would ever ask for help — but this is a moment when our community can rally together to give back to a man who has given, and continues to give, so much.

Even after leaving his home in the middle of the night due to the fire, he still showed up at the Section One All-Star Game that day to support the Mount Vernon Knights, who were selected to play. That is who he is — dedicated, selfless, and committed to his students and players no matter what he’s facing.

Please consider donating any amount to help the Murray family begin to rebuild their lives. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference and brings relief during an overwhelming and heartbreaking time.

Let’s come together and show Coach, Anais, Hunter, and Harlow that they are not facing this alone.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. ❤️