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Marcus Bryant was a strong young man that went through a severe battle with cancer. Like many young kids growing up in Grand Forks Markus was an avid Sioux fan and enjoyed watching games and visiting with his favorite players. During the 2001 Fighting Sioux Football season Markus became an inspiration to the team by demonstrating his courage and unending faith. Markus spent a number of days during the 2001 season with the Sioux during practices and on game day, and frequently wrote letters to fire up his favorite team. On December 8th 2001, the team together with Markus made its way down to Florence Alabama, and won the 2001 Division II National Crown. At the game Markus was cheering the Sioux on, and afterwards he was invited to share in lifting the trophy skyward in front of the crowd.

During the 2002 season, tough times hit the Sioux Football team as they suffered a tough season enduring frustrating loses. Despite this Markus continued his support and once again wrote letters of encouragement and showed up to games when he was able. At the end of the season, the outgoing senior class was looking to leave a legacy and a positive impact on the team and on Grand Forks and not surprisingly Markus came to mind. Beginning on Nov. 17th 2002 a fundraiser was started to give back to young children like Markus who show courage in their everyday lives. The name of this fundraiser is called “Holiday Magic From Markus”, and is set up to raise money to go towards the purchase of Holiday gifts for the area children who are going to spend the winter Holidays in the hospital, or who are fighting serious illness over the Holidays. Shortly after we established the foundation Markus lost his battle to cancer, but not before he changed the lives of the people who had the pleasure to meet him. With Markus’ winning spirit and colorful personality in our hearts and minds we extend the opportunity to others to be involved in this foundation. The goal of this project is to allow student athletes at UND a chance to make a difference in the lives of area children.

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