Get to Know the Chicago Rush: DL Mark Weivoda

The Arena Football League's Chicago Rush kicks off its 10th Anniversary season on Monday night against the Milwaukee Mustangs. Let's meet one of the Rush's defensive linemen who will be making AFL quarterbacks miserable all season long: 6'2", 290-lb. defensive tackle Mark Weivoda.

High School

Born November 29, 1980, in Caldwell, Idaho, Weivoda was a three-year letterman for Caldwell High School, and a two-time selection as both an All-Conference and an All-State player. He and former NFL and current Canadian Football League quarterback Cody Pickett led the Cougars to the playoffs three consecutive years from 1996 to 1998. As a senior, he was voted Most Inspirational and Best Offensive Lineman.

He also lettered in basketball and track.

College

Weivoda played defensive tackle for Idaho State University alongside NFL star Jared Allen from 2000 to 2003 and racked up 60 tackles and 3.5 sacks during his senior season with the Bengals. He was named to the first-team Big Sky All-Conference squad after his junior and senior seasons.

In 2001, he tied NCAA Division I-AA records with four blocked field goals and six total blocked kicks (4 FG, 2 PAT) in a single season. He ranks second all-time in Division I-AA with eight blocked field goals for his career.

Professional

Weivoda spent some time in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 before moving on to the af2's Memphis Xplorers. A torn bicep, however, ended his 2005 season.

He returned to the Xplorers in 2006, helping them to an 11-5 regular season record and a victory in the first round of the playoffs.

In 2007, Weivoda returned to his home state of Idaho to play for a brand new team in the af2, the Boise Burn. In 2008, he led the team with 13 tackles for a loss (-58 yards) and totaled 22.5 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and a safety for the season. He hammered opponents in 2009 with 15 tackles--9.5 of them for a loss--6.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Unfortunately, the Burn suspended operations after the 2009 season.

Weivoda arrived in the Windy City on November 17, 2009, signing with the Chicago Rush. In the 2010 season, he registered five tackles, four assists, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown on June 12, 2010, in a victory over the Utah Blaze.

Weivoda's play has grabbed the attention of Michael Clark of the Bleacher Report who, twice in the span of a week in February, wrote articles (linked below) suggesting that Weivoda could contribute on both defense and special teams for that other football team in town--the Chicago Bears.

Will we see Weivoda at Soldier Field on Sundays this fall? We'll have to wait and see. Until then, he'll line up at defensive tackle this season for the Rush, wearing #33 and sporting some impressive tattoo work on both arms.

The Chicago Rush opens the 2011 season on the road against the Milwaukee Mustangs on Monday, March 14, at 6:30pm Central Time. The game will be broadcast on NiFTyTV.com.

The Rush is on!

Other articles by this author:

Arena Football League: Remedy for the Post-Super Bowl Blues

Preview of the Rush's 10th Anniversary Season

Get to Know Chicago Rush WR/DB Charles Dillon

Chicago Rush Week 1 Preview

A Conversation with Ron Jaworski, Lynn Swann, and Jerry Kurz

Sources:

ArenaFan.com

Big Sky Conference

Bleacher Report (a)

Bleacher Report (b)

Canoe.ca

Chicago Rush

Idaho Steelheads

Minor League Portal (cached)

NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Records

Our Sports Central

Qwest Arena Idaho

The Sports Network