February 4, 2016
BASEBALL: MARSHALL, Texas (2/3/16) - On national signing day, the East Texas Baptist University baseball team signed their best recruit for their program yet in Team Impact partner Mark McCullough from the Shreveport, La., area. Mark is a Down Syndrome child living out his dream being a part of a college athletic team.
ETBU held a signing day press conference for the McCullough family and Mark. In NCAA Division III, programs are not allowed to promote who has committed to their program due to NCAA rules so this signing for ETBU is a big deal being able to show off the McCullough family.
Below is some information on Mark McCullough from Team Impact. Mark will be a part of the ETBU baseball team this season. More videos and information will come in the coming weeks on Mark from ETBU athletics.
Mark was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome, and Congenital Heart Defect; which means that he was born with two holes and 2 champers, compared to 4, in his heart. At just two days old, he underwent open heart surgery to repair and reconstruct his heart. In the summer of 2015 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Presently, Mark is undergoing chemo therapy and visits the St. Judes Hospital in Shreveport, La., once a week Saint Jude's in Memphis ever month to two months for a few days for treatment. He has been described as a true fighter. Mark lives with his family in Shreveport, La., area and is 10 years old in the 5th grade.