El Dorado softball program suffers big loss

News-Times
News-Times

When Mark Conway passed away on November 11, a piece of El Dorado’s softball program went with him. A fixture with the Lady Wildcats for 15 years, the image of Conway sitting on a bucket in the dugout is as synonymous with El Dorado softball as the Power Cat.

A graduate of Smackover High School, Conway was a former United States Marine and was employed at El Dorado Chemical before he began working at the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex in 2001. He began umpiring and played in a Men’s Industrial League and eventually started volunteering with the El Dorado softball program in approximately 2003.

“Mark was like a big brother to all our girls,” said El Dorado athletic director Phillip Lansdell. “He was with them from being little girls just learning to play softball all the way through their high school days. He was a very dedicated volunteer and was always willing to do anything that needed to be done to help the program. Mark lived and breathed El Dorado softball. His enthusiasm, work ethic and dedication will be missed by everyone.”

Conway remained as a volunteer with the program even after being diagnosed with cancer three years ago. Softball players showed their support, wearing t-shirts that read, Playing for Conway, on the back.

“Mark spent the last 15 years volunteering his time to work with the El Dorado softball program. He served the program in many ways over the years including working with the outfield, catchers, infielders. He would take care of our field on his lunch break from the complex just so it would be done right for us,” said El Dorado softball coach Chris Ezell. “He loved our girls so much that he would chirp at any and every umpire that called our games in order to help our team. At times, umpires would have to warn him to ease up and Mark never gave them any slack. He took pride in getting their attention. To Mark Conway, each girl that came into our program was his own. And most of our families treated him as family. That's probably the most impactful reason he will forever be missed in our program.

“I and EHS will be forever grateful for Mark Conway and his dedication to our players and the athletic program in general. Mark would attend most any sporting event put on by El Dorado over the years. He rarely missed home football and basketball games, too. He was proud to be an El Dorado Wildcat. He was a rare friend that would help anyone he could if he had the means. Personally, he was a part of our family. He spent time with my family outside of softball and will be missed dearly. Mark Conway was a blessing to me and my family and our Lady Wildcat Softball team.”

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