Former Cal Poly Defensive Back Mark Grosz Passes at Age 60
4/19/2021 3:33:00 PM | Football
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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Mark Grosz, a defensive back on Cal Poly's football teams in the early 1980s and son of former Mustang assistant football coach Dave Grosz, passed away Sunday in an area hospital after a month-long battle with COVID-19.
Born in Eugene, Oregon, in 1960 while his father played football at the University of Oregon, Mark Grosz was 60.
"Cal Poly football has lost an incredible person who helped bond generations of ex-players and coaches," said former Mustang Kim Kirchoff. "He will be sorely missed by an army of Mustangs and the Cal Poly football program that he loved dearly. Our Home Team Tailgates will honor you with a respectful toast and a tear in our eye."
Grosz, who played football at Cal Poly from 1979-82, earned his bachelor's degree in recreation administration from Cal Poly in 1984 and obtained his master's degree in physical education, also from Cal Poly, in 1993.
After earning his California Community College Teaching Credential in physical education and California K-12 single-subject teaching credentials in physical education and adaptive physical education, Grosz was a teacher at Oakley Elementary School and El Camino Junior High School, both in Santa Maria, for over 30 years, retiring in 2020.
He also coached football for several schools, including Atascadero High School, Hancock College, Nipomo High School and Mission Prep. He taught kinesiology classes at Cal Poly from 2009-10, worked in team sales at Drymax Technologies, which manufactures technically advanced socks, apparel, and accessories, and was founder and owner of West Coast Football Camps.
He also served on the Home Team committee. The HomeTeam is a fund-raising arm of the Cal Poly football program.
As a football player at Cal Poly, Grosz was a redshirt in 1979, was on the roster of the 1980 NCAA Division II national championship team, made three tackles in 1981 and notched a pair of tackles and returned an interception 36 yards during the 1982 season.
Grosz was a 1979 graduate of San Luis Obispo High School and lettered twice in varsity football as a defensive back and wide receiver under head coach Bob Smith. He averaged 13 yards per catch as a senior.
"Mark Grosz the father, the supporter, the friend, the brother, the mentor has been called up to heaven," said former Mustang quarterback Jonathan Dally. "I can't wrap my head around it as I've often (and very recently) read his uplifting posts about 'finding what you're grateful for' or 'understanding that you ARE enough' or 'staying positive and lifting up those around you.'
"Mark had the ability to leave a lasting impression every time," Dally added. "He helped me through a lot of internal struggle, without ever having known that he was impacting me and my attitude for the better almost daily. I had no idea that, through all of this positivity you continued to pour into the world, you were going through the struggle of your life. My heart wells up with sadness that we've lost a legend. Not just for the Central Coast. Not just for the Cal Poly community. Those are obvious and go without saying. We lost one of the best people around, period.
"Mark always lifted the people around him with his positivity and it was always a great, heart-warming conversation. I'm so very grateful I got to rub elbows with him on more than a couple occasions. #Ridehigh."
Mark Grosz (33) with Cal Poly's defensive backs in early 1980s.
Karl Ivory was a defensive back at Cal Poly in the early 2000s.
"My friend, my Cal Poly alum, and all-around great man. You will be missed. I look forward to a staff meeting! Mark Grosz, I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since I found out you were in ICU and now your passing. The good die young."
Ryan Pittman also played football for the Mustangs in the early 2000s as an offensive lineman.
"This world lost a good one to COVID. RIP Coach Mark Grosz. You will be missed. You had such an influence on the Cal Poly football program, alumni, students and everyone surrounding you. Your smile and energy were contagious."
Sean Chambers played basketball at Cal Poly from 1985-87.
"I cannot believe what I'm reading on Facebook right now," said Chambers. "My dear friend/family Mark Grosz has passed away from COVID. The Grosz family let me stay in their house for my first week in San Luis Obispo, until it was time for me to move into the dorms.. Mark was like a brother to me and one of my biggest fans/supporters. He loved everything about Cal Poly and was one of the best ambassadors. The world has truly lost a beautiful soul. Rest in heaven brother."
Ian Shields was offensive coordinator at Cal Poly during two brief stints in the 2000s:
"I'm truly going to miss this man, just heartbroken really," Shields said. "Mark Grosz was such a life-force and positive influence on so many!!! A great friend through the years, as loyal as they come, always brought a smile to your face, contagious energy that you couldn't help but 'feel'. Mark's glass was always 'half-full' regardless of circumstance. I'm going to miss hearing his voice. He's the ultimate Cal Poly guy. Nobody cared more or had a deeper connection than him. He had such passion for the place and the people."
Mark Grosz attended Super Bowl 50 at Levi Stadium
with wife Mia and son Jaden.
David Vieler played football at Cal Poly in the mid-1990s.
"Grinding for my friend and fellow Cal Poly football alumni. This man lived each day to the fullest, and he would tell us all, in the face of this tragic loss, to be strong and make it an epic day because you never know when it could be your last. Love you Mark. We will keep it going for you. I promise. Rest easy, my friend."
Ken Johnston was a reserve quarterback at Cal Poly from 2009-13.
"Still in disbelief. I have known Coach all my life. He was a dear friend to the whole Johnston family. I will miss hearing his stories and his uplifting spirit. Every time we would hang out, he would love to tell some of my friends (or complete strangers) the story how his dad was my dad's best man in his wedding, and I absolutely loved it," Johnston said.
"A true Mustang and great team member to those who knew him, no matter what he was wearing with his 1980 championship ring," Johnston added. "I will miss the tailgates, AT&T pro-am, cocktails, stories, and just being around you. You're with your mom and dad now, and I will think of you for every Sunday BBQ and whiskey on ice. Love you, Coach."
Kristina Santiago Bennett coaches women's basketball at Cal Poly after a stellar career on the court with the Mustangs.
"RIP to this legend. I'm not even close to accepting the fact that you're gone but it hurts so bad knowing I won't see you again, my friend," said Santiago Bennett. "You are the kind of person this world needs more of and it's not fair you were taken from us.
Mark Grosz at a San Francisco 49ers
game at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
"Thank you for all the laughs, kind words, motivation to be great and your support and praise throughout my entire career and life since meeting you 14 years ago," Santiago Bennett added. "Knowing you was a blessing. Cal Poly won't be the same without you around. You will be beyond missed!! My heart goes out to Mia, Jaden and Kierston.
Members of the local media also chimed in on Grosz's Facebook page.
"The world just lost an amazing man," said KSBY-TV meteorologist Dave Hovde. "I have always been proud to call him a friend. You will never find a more positive person, a person who brought people together, a smile and laugh that made you know he authentically was living life to its fullest and you wanted to be part of it with him.
"I'll remember the Poly games and the golf and BBQs and, of course, more than a few 'staff meetings'," Hovde added. "I'll never forget you and the lessons you taught me about life the way you lived it. Folks, never take a moment with your friends for granted, Mark never did."
Added Kevin Roose, sports reporter for KEYT, KCOY and KKFX television stations, "My heart and the hearts of so many are broken with the tragic news that we lost a great friend, coach, teacher, husband and father. I'm still not processing this yet.
"Thank you, Mark Grosz, for always being so kind and so supportive of my career covering sports at KCOY. You were always one of our biggest fans and I appreciate your friendship through the years. I loved your enthusiasm for local sports, high school football, and all things Cal Poly. I always loved hearing you talk about the local kids that had moved on to play in college and the pros. You were every kid's biggest fan that you came in contact with.
"The sidelines at Cal Poly football games from here on out are just never going to be the same without you," Roose added. "I am comforted to know you had a strong relationship with the Lord. Knowing you put your faith in Christ is the reason I can honestly say I will see you again. I'm sad I never got to enjoy your pregame Cal Poly BBQs since I always had to work. Save me a spot on the sidelines up in Heaven. I'll see you soon, my friend."
Grosz, who lived in Santa Margarita, is survived by his wife, Mia Lemer-Grosz, one daughter, Kiersten, one son, Jaden, brother Adam and sister Wendy.
Dave Grosz, Mark's father, was an offensive backfield coach at Cal Poly from 1967-81 who passed away in 2018.
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After earning his California Community College Teaching Credential in physical education and California K-12 single-subject teaching credentials in physical education and adaptive physical education, Grosz was a teacher at Oakley Elementary School and El Camino Junior High School, both in Santa Maria, for over 30 years, retiring in 2020.
