Mark Anthony DiBello

Mark Anthony DiBello

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About

My athletic career began at birth, with a God-given natural ability and like many children, playing ball with my dad.

At age 8, I won my first athletic competition: the traditional Punt, Pass and Kick at the local Ford dealership. In the following years; I won, placed, or showed in that competition until my eligibility expired.

In grade school, I excelled in virtually every sport: football, basketball, baseball and track and field; I also participated in intramural volleyball, wrestling, golf, tennis, and even dodge ball and bowling; rolling my first 200-game (201) as a 13-year-old. In High School, I earned a total of 12 letters, playing football (center, receiver, punter, and safety), basketball (center, forward, and guard), baseball (first base) and running track and field (long jump and triple jump; at one point, breaking the school record).

In my senior seasons; I made multiple All-Area football teams and lead my area (63 schools) in receiving. In basketball, I made the league All-Star team, and in baseball led my team in batting and fielding. I turned down regional football scholarship offers and an opportunity to play basketball and Minor League baseball to attend a local junior college.

At Hudson Valley Community College, I played football (receiver) before being injured in my first game as a starter. I also played baseball (first base), hitting a homerun in my first collegiate at-bat before becoming injured.

At the University of Miami, I "walked-on" (tight-end and wide-receiver) for Head Coach, Howard Schnellenberger before missing a season due to the death of my mother. I then "walked-on" again, for the National Champion Miami Hurricanes, playing for Head Coach Jimmy Johnson and coaches Butch Davis and Marc Trestman; and with Heisman Trophy winner, Vinny Testeverde; and Hall-of-Famers Jim Kelly and Michael Irvin. Ultimately, I earned a scholarship before being declared ineligible. I then played two seasons of Semi-Pro football.

My playing days ended with an injury during a try-out for the Anaheim, California Arena Football team. I attribute any athletic achievements I may have had or will have to Almighty God, genetics and practice.

Short List

  • Favorite Athletes

    My childhood idol was Reggie Jackson and I came to appreciate him all the more after watching ESPN's "The Bronx is Burning" and seeing he was apparently a Christian. Today, I appreciate most every NFL player. I tried myself to be a pro, making it as far as the University of Miami and an Arena football League tryout. It is a miraculous road to the pro's...believe me.

  • Favorite Sports Teams

    1. The Los Angeles Archangels (the NFL team God wants me to create) 2. The Champions...winning and victory are second-to-none.

  • Favorite Coaches

    Marc Trestman...I have known Coach, since I played in college at the University of Miami. And when my mom had cancer, it was Coach, whom I called to say, "I can't play this season." He replied, "I understand. Get back here as soon as you can." That season, the 'Canes won the National Championship. I have been trying to get back ever since.

  • All-Time Sports Moment

    I was on the sidelines (as a player for the Hurricanes) for the "Hail Flutie" pass. When the Saints won the Super Bowl after God told me years earlier that He allowed Hurricane Katrina to try and send the team to Los Angeles to be The City of Angels Archangels.

  • Most Memorable Game Attended

    1. The "Hail Flutie" pass. 2. A Raiders vs. Jets game where Al Davis remarked, "I loved your show." I am still uncertain what show or if I am who he thought I was. 3. I would say a Colts defeat of the Dolphins when I met child idol Bert Jones. He sat by the bus with a towel full of ice, and opened it to reveal bottles of Heineken. He offered me one and I accepted, although, I hardly ever drank.

  • Most Unbreakable Sports Record

    The first that comes to mind is Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak. For 1/3 of the season, basically, 33 % of the season, he got a hit. A feat in itself that only happens 30% of the time on a daily basis, if you are a very good player. The second would be the consecutive game streak of QB Brett Favre. That's what giving up drugs can do for an athlete's longevity!

  • Ruth or Mays?

    The Babe. Period.

  • Unitas or Montana?

    I've never been to Montana! Johnny U. could have schooled Montana! Montana was blessed by great players around him in a media-frenzied nation. Johnny Unitas truly got the job done.

  • Jordan or Russell?

    Again, similarly, Russell is a member of a dynasty...Jordan created one...and LeBron, for what it's worth, will be one...one way or another.

  • Gretzky or Orr?

    The "Great One," or no one. End of story.

  • Pele or Maradona?

    Madonna? Pele is a god.

  • Federer or Sampras?

    Now this is a close one...but generally the more current athlete and the future one to come is the greater.

  • Tiger or Nicklaus?

    Tiger is the greatest athlete to pick up a golf club--and it goes to teach what happens when a person brings athletic ability to what is basically a "hobby." In addition, the evolution and experience involved when you begin a "sport" at age one. Nicklaus was the last great "golfer," but Tiger is like Obama, his reign goes beyond the game.

  • Petty or Earnhardt?

    Earnhardt raced stock cars...Richard Petty was stock car racing.

  • Schumacher or Senna?

    Michael Schumacher, I believe...he was featured on 60 minutes...not bad for a driver.

  • ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC?

    In collegiate football: the state of Florida. What league is that?

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