Mark Soto helped in keeping the winning tradition of Missouri Valley College football going in the 1990’s.  As a three-year starter for the program, he was a key figure in the 1994 Heart of America Athletic Conference championship team, which also earned a berth into the NAIA Football Championship Series first round.  Mark was a team captain, defensive MVP and a first team all-conference selection for his play in 1994.  

 

Mark stayed close to football since graduating from Missouri Valley College with honors, becoming an award-winning coach at the high school level in Texas.  Mark has spent nearly 30 years coaching.  He has been nominated for the Texas High School Coaches’ Association President, and was the Greater San Antonio Area Coaches’ Foundation Director for 18 years.  He is a member of the Texas Hispanic Coaches’ Association and was named the 2023 Unsung Heros Coaching Award winner.  He has been recognized as an Inspirational Coach on multiple occasions, and helped two teams finish as Texas 5A State runner-ups during his career, in addition to guiding Calallen High School to a 4A baseball state championship.

 

Mark recognizes a number of his coaches for making a tremendous impact on him while at Missouri Valley College, including his defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Mike Doolan who taught him never to be satisfied with good and always pursue greatness.  He credits his head coach, Greg Purdum for taking a chance on a smaller in stature player, and allowing him to compete by showcasing his production and strength of will.  Mark also credits Coach Ricono for recruiting him and Coach Barrios for his influence on seeing a hispanic coach working in the midwest that showed him anything was possible.  Mark also recognizes his fraternity brothers in Sigma Nu for being like-minded student-athletes that kept striving and straining and holding each other accountable.