Distinguished American Award

To say Mark Bless comes from a football family would be a tremendous understatement. After playing for his (late) father Bill at Indiana Central (now the University of Indianapolis), Mark embarked on his own coaching trail, winning 241 games over three decades as head coach; first at North Vermillion, then Mooresville, and finally at Avon where mark served as the head coach for 13 seasons before retiring after the 2022 campaign.

Mark was a state championship wrestler in his high school days at Greenwood before becoming an NCAA Division II All-American playing for his dad. mark is enshrined in the Ulndy Athletics Hall of Fame. Mark led Avon to two regional championships in 2015 and 2017, and had smilier success at Mooresville, winning back-to-back sectional crowns in 2003 and 2004.

Of course, it was the family business, and during Mark’s coaching tenure, his brothers Scott and Tim also served as head coaches at Bloomington North and Columbus North, respectively. That family tradition now will carry on for a third generation, as Mark’s son Tyler is set to begin his first season as the head coach of Plainfield.

Including his time as an assistant at Terre Haute North, mark spent the last 38 years in the coaching profession. That’s almost as long as he’s been married to Nancy, ‘an ultimate coach’s wife’ according to Mark, as they’ve been married for 37 years.

Mr. Barzilauskas was the Central Indiana Chapter President for 30 years. Carl played football for IU, the New York Jets, and the Green Bay Packers.