Dr. David Watt '76 and Mark Cruse to be recognized with the Wheaton Athletics Service Award in 2018-19

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College Athletics Department will honor two longtime volunteers on September 1, the opening weekend of the 2018-19 school year with the third presentation of the Wheaton Athletics Service Award. Dr. David Watt and Mark Cruse will be recognized at halftime of this year's season-opening football game against Monmouth College.

Watt (PICTURED LEFT) and and Cruse are the fifth and sixth respective recipients of the Wheaton Athletics Service Award. The award honors those that have volunteered and served Wheaton Athletics through the years. Recipients of the award have provided distinguished service in a non-paid support or coaching role for Wheaton College Athletics over several years. Ron Elenbaas and Ed Felske were the inaugural recipients of the award in 2016-17. Don Holwerda and Steve Kafkas received the award in 2017-18.

MARK CRUSE

Mark Cruse, an electrician in the Facilities Department at Wheaton College since 1983, has volunteered in a number of roles with the Wheaton football team since 1985. Cruse began volunteering as a member of the chain crew at Wheaton football games in 1985.

Today, Cruse still works on the chain crew at Wheaton's home football games and is responsible for scheduling the people that work the chains at home football game - a role he has held since the late 1980's. In 1992, Cruse began assisting with Wheaton's equipment operation at football games, both home and away. A key role for the electrician was assisting in the setup, in-game operations and tear-down of the headsets and communications equipment for the coaching staff on game days. He says of his desire to assist the football program, "I was always in sports in high school and have always enjoyed being around the teams."

Bill Stukes, Wheaton's Associate Athletics Director says of Cruse, "I really appreciate someone giving up their free time to volunteer and help us, that is quite hard to find. Mark does a number of things, in addition to running the chain crew, he is always very helpful.

DR. DAVID WATT '76

Dr. David Watt '76 has served as the Team Physician for Wheaton College Athletics since 2001. Currently an orthopaedic surgeon with Northwestern Medical Group, Watt was inducted into the Wheaton College Athletics Hall of Honor in 2004 for his efforts as a student-athlete at Wheaton. As a member of the Wheaton men's gymnastics team, he finished seventh in the all-around competition at the 1976 NCAA Division II Men's Gymnastics Championships.

"Dr. David Watt is an integral part of the sports medicine staff at Wheaton College," mentions Tricia Deter, Wheaton's Head Athletic Trainer. She continues, "His desire to serve the athletes and support them in their athletic endeavors is one of the many qualities that makes him a phenomenal part of our staff. Dr. Watt has been a huge supporter of Wheaton Athletics ever since his time as a student-athlete here and he will continue to be for as long as the Lord allows him the pleasure of doing so. We are so thankful for Dr. Watt and the countless times he has served our department and our athletes."

Dr. Watt says of his work with Wheaton's student-athletes, "It's always gratifying for me to see athletes return to play after I've operated on them. But, the best memory for me is building lasting relationships with the athletes, parents and coaches, beyond just the medical care." He continues, "One story does stand out however. At an away game that I was covering, one of our athletes suffered a head injury that resulted in an emergency evacuation and stay at the local hospital. This was an athlete and father I had known from when he was in high school. I went to the emergency room with the parents and sat with them while he was there. I provided what support and comfort I could and helped the communication with the local medical team. He eventually recovered from his injury. Years later I saw the parents in the parking lot of a football game and they came up to me to thanked me for the care and support I provided them through that ordeal."

Wheaton Athletics Service Award Recipients |

2016-17 |

Ron Elenbaas '62 |

2016-17 |

Ed Felske |

2017-18 |

Don Holwerda '69 |

2017-18 |

Steve Kafkas '01 |

2018-19 |

Mark Cruse |

2018-19 |

Dr. David Watt '76 |

Originally published by Wheaton College Athletics: /news/2018/8/17/general-watt-and-cruse-to-get-the-wheaton-athletics-service-award.aspx