Quantcast
skip navigation

No rest for the weary

By Loren Nelson, Editor, 10/26/10, 5:00PM CDT

Share

Q and A with Crookston multisport standout, roofing ace Mark Bittner

High school kids looking for laid back, low-stress summer jobs don’t often find themselves crouched on rooftops laying shingles.

Such is life for Crookston’s Mark Bittner, who always seems to be pushing himself to new heights.

“Good pay, good hours,” Bittner says with a grin about his work as a roofer.

Life only got more difficult this fall for Bittner, whose work now includes playing most every down for Crookston’s football team on Friday nights and then, after a couple hours of sleep, dragging himself out of bed early on Saturday mornings to play in Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League games.

As a defenseman for Great Plains, Bittner has played a rock steady stay-at-home style that contrasts his high-scoring run-throw-run exploits as the Pirates’ quarterback.

We caught up with Bittner after an Elite League game and asked him how his body is holding up, which sport he would like to play in college and how to kill time (other than by playing hockey) in Crookston in the winter.

One on One with Mark Bittner

Question: You’ve been playing football on Friday nights and Elite League games on Saturday mornings this fall. What kind of toll has that been taking on your body?
Answer: It’s tough, but I did it last year. I know how to work through it this year.

Q: You’re the quarterback, (backup) punter, kick-off specialist and holder for extra points. Do you ever come of the field?
A: Yeah, I come off for kick return and punt return. But that’s about it.

Q: Do you play defense as well?
A: Yes.

Q: What position do you play?
A: Cornerback.

Q: Your younger brother, Ryan, is the Pirates’ long snapper. That’s a key position for a punter. Do you have to be extra nice to him during football season so he doesn’t snap it over your head?
A: No, because I’m the backup.

Q: Do you ever crack jokes in the huddle, or do you keep it pretty serious?
A: I crack jokes every now and then, but I usually keep it serious.

Q: Jon Bitter, your dad, is Crookston’s hockey coach. Does that put added pressure on you to play well?
A:
No. It helps me play better.

Q:
Crookston has a new arena with three sheets of indoor ice. Can you go there and play anytime you want?
A: Yeah. It’s great.

Q: What else is there to do in Crookston in the winter besides play hockey?
A: Play football in the gymnasium. And boot hockey is a key thing.

Q: Big hits are a staple in the hockey rivalry between Crookston and East Grand Forks. Why do you think those games are so physical?
A: I think just the specators like to see the big hits, so we like to bring it against East Grand Forks.

Q: Are you hoping to play hockey or football or both in college?
A: I want to try for both. But hockey would be great, I would love to play hockey.

Q: What have you learned by playing in the Elite League?
A: Be physical. Be 120 percent every shift no matter what.

Q: How do you stay busy in the summer?
A: I work. I shingle for a carpenter. I love it. Good hours, good pay.

Q: Name something about you that most people don’t know?
A:
I’m a quiet guy. I like to be private. I don’t go out very much.

Q: Favorite subject in school?
A: Social studies.

Q: Why?
A: Because my dad teaches it and I’m good at it.

Photo Gallery

Mark Bittner File

School: Crookston
Upper Midwest High School Elite League team: Great Plains
Year: Senior
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 176 pounds
Credentials: Last season Bittner was Crookston's second-leading scorer with seven goals and 16 assists in 27 games. As the Pirates quarterback this fall, he rushed for 1,052 yards and 14 touchdowns and passed for 962 yards and eight touchdowns in eight regular season games. This fall in the Elite League, he has two assists as a mainstay on the Great Plains blueline.
College committment: None. Bittner says he has heard from Bemidji State and several Division III schools, including Gustavus Adolphus.

Rapid Fire with Mark Bittner

Favorite hockey movie between Miracle, Slapshot and Youngblood? Slapshot

Favorite home-cooked meal? Pizza

Fast food addiction? McDonald’s

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Taco John’s or Taco Bell? Taco John’s

Cowboy boots or flip flops? Flip flops

Trophy walleye or trophy buck? Trophy buck

Chris Pronger, Duncan Keith? Chris Pronger

Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? Tom Brady   

Drums or electric guitar? Electric guitar

Favorite song in your iPod? I don’t have one

Last book you read? I don’t know

TV show you just can’t miss: CSI: Las Vegas

Dream car: Camaro

Must-see foreign destination: Fiji

Q and A Archive

  • Mean streak

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 12/11/2012, 8:45am CST
  • Hermantown's Neal Pionk plays a throwback style complete with high degree of 'nasty'
  • Read More 1 Comment
  • Quick Q&A: Jake Hill survived the seniors' greeting

  • By Star Tribune 12/06/2012, 12:22am CST
  • South St. Paul hockey defenseman Jake Hill enjoys the holiday season. The senior, who also plays football and baseball, likes it even more once there is snow on the ground. Here is a closer look at Hill:
  • Read More
  • A man for all seasons

  • By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports USA 11/14/2012, 2:00pm CST
  • Guidebook sneak peek: Q and A with multisport Hill-Murray standout Zach LaValle
  • Read More
  • Crusader on the climb

  • By Walker Orenstein, MN Hockey Hub staff 08/27/2012, 12:38pm CDT
  • Q and A with St. Cloud Cathedral, Team Great Plains forward Austin Poganski
  • Read More
  • The Big Labosky

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 07/04/2012, 6:49pm CDT
  • Q & A with fast, feisty Benilde-St. Margaret's forward Dan Labosky
  • Read More

Related Stories

  • Sounding the Horn

  • By Loren Nelson, Editor 11/07/2010, 7:53pm CST
  • Benilde-St. Margaret's junior scores OT winner in championship thriller
  • Read More

Most Popular

  • Five reasons Edina became a state champion

  • By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune 03/11/2024, 9:30am CDT
  • The 14th state championship for Edina/Edina East featured, of course, a hot goalie, but it also came with a list of intangible reasons for success.
  • Read More