NEWARK ― Mark Nichols has always been a fighter, and the Newark Catholic community has his back in his latest battle.
Nichols, 35, now a Reynoldsburg policeman with three children, led the Green Wave to its last state football championship in 2007, but was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in January of this year.
Much like in his life and time at NC, he is not giving up, researching specialists and treatment around the country and Europe, and NC is raising funds for his cause. It is holding “Fight For Number 5” from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 19 in the high school gym, featuring a pasta dinner, beverages, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Cost is $30 per person and $10 for children, with ages 5-and-under admitted free. Tickets are available at the door.
Sara Lott, whose son Matthew played with Nichols on the title team under coach Bill Franks, said a group of NC parents came up with the fundraising idea.
“There’s no cure, he has three kids, and he wants to see his oldest daughter graduate from high school,” Lott said. “Everything from this goes towards his family, and we hope to get some good feedback. We’re all one big community. He was always a very selfless kid. It was not about Mark. It was about the other guys. I think he’s going to Germany for treatment in April.”
Nichols, a stellar running back who went on to play at Ohio Dominican, came to Newark Catholic from St. Louis in his junior year. He fought through shoulder, knee and ankle injuries to run for 1,161 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2006, when the Green Wave went 5-6, lost three games in overtime and in the first round of the playoffs. But fully healthy as a senior, he amassed 2,906 yards and 41 TDs, including five consecutive 100-yard games in the postseason with three over 200 yards.
Tony Weisent, tight end on the title team and Nichols’ classmate, said he always been resilient.
“It’s in his DNA,” Weisent said. “It’s no secret that when he came to Newark Catholic, he left a bad situation, and when he came here, he had his back against the wall with the injuries, through the pain and grinding. We had a really close, strong class (with 22 seniors), but our junior year was miserable.”
Nichols, along with Weisent, went to to play at Ohio Dominican, where he rushed for 1,999 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons. They roomed together with Matt Grieb and Tyler Maddox, who has established a trust fund for Nichols’ kids.
Weisent is a full-time fireman for West Licking Joint Fire District, also running Top Side Chimneys with his wife. He is not surprised Nichols went on to become a police officer.
“He wants to help people and take care of folks,” Weisent said. “We rolled up on Broad Street for an auto accident, and he was helping to stop and direct traffic.”
A GoFundme account has been established for Nichols, and other fundraisers have been held, including by the Reynoldsburg police. Weisent regularly keeps in touch with him, and is happy Newark Catholic has stepped forward to help him.
“It speaks volumes of the community,” he said. “Yes, we’ve lost touch with some people over the years, but with a couple of phone calls, we’re able to get things done.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic community supporting Mark Nichols in battle with ALS
Reporting by Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
