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Sports Wall of Fame

Mark Korthuis

Mark Korthuis

  • Class
  • Induction
    2021
  • Sport(s)
    Golden Bears Soccer
  • Golden Bears Soccer Midfielder (2002-07)
  • Two-time CIS National Champion (2003 & 2006)
  • Five-time Canada West All-Star
  • 2003 Canada West Champion
  • 2002 Canada West Rookie of the Year
  • 2005 Canada West MVP
  • 2005 CIS All-Canadian
On the short list of the best men’s soccer athletes in Canada West history, former Golden Bear Mark Korthuis’ name is at, or near the top. 

Korthuis, ‘07 PES, spent five seasons patrolling the midfield for the Bears, turning in arguably the best career of any Bear in their storied program history.

From 2002-2007, the 6-2 midfielder used his dominating presence, energy, leadership and scoring touch to power the Golden Bears to a pair of CIS National Championships - in 2003 and 2006 - as well as adding a Canada West banner in 2003. 

Recruiting out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Korthuis was a stellar youth player, having competed at the U15, U17, and U20 levels for Saskatchewan, competing at the Canadian Soccer Association National Championships.

His success and athletic ability transferred seamlessly to the Bears in his first season, as he was named the 2002 Canada West Rookie of the Year, as well as a second team conference all-star. 

A remarkable six Golden Bears were named conference all-stars in 2003, including Korthuis, who earned a second-straight second team appearance. The loaded and deep Bears were able to capture their ninth conference title with an upset win over Trinity Western in the CW Final, before dispatching Concordia, Western, and Saint Mary’s at the CIS Championship in Montreal, ending their 24-year national title drought. 

The Saskatoon product turned in another stellar season in 2004, earning a third-straight Canada West second team all-star honour.

His finest season, however, came in 2005. Korthuis scored a conference-high seven goals in 11 conferences matches, as he was named the 2005 Canada West MVP, a first team CW All-Star, first team CIS All-Canadian, and Bears Soccer team MVP. 

The dream of many student-athletes, Korthuis was also able to end his varsity career as a champion, powering the Bears to a 2006 CIS Championship title at Foote Field in Edmonton. Despite an early exit in the conference playoffs, the Bears found their stride at the national tournament, eliminating Western, Laval, and TWU en route to a CIS banner on their home pitch. 

Korthuis was also ended his career by being named a CIS Tournament All-Star, and a spot on his fifth Canada West All-Star team. 

His 17 career goals are the 12th most in Bears soccer history, with his 21 points also ranking 12th. 

Following Bears career, Korthuis was also named to the 2007 Canadian Summer Universiade Team, which competed in Bangkok, Thailand. The star midfielder scored three goals for Canada in the summer of ‘07, leading the Red & White to a fourth-place finish, the nation’s highest-ever finish in FISU Men’s Soccer. 

Former program lead Len Vickery, who coached the Golden Bears for 34 years, characterized Korthuis as “an exemplary student-athlete who clearly demonstrated that an individual can pursue athletic goals as well as maintaining high grades in university. I recruited him based on his outstanding soccer skills, but was equally impressed with his leadership qualities along with his moral and ethical character. His industriousness, initiative and ability to work with others was always exemplary.” 

Following his graduation in 2007, Korthuis has built an impressive career in the education and charitable organization sectors. He spent five years back in his hometown of Saskatoon, working for various organizations such as the Saskatoon Sport Council and KidSport Saskatchewan, while also adding a Master’s Degree in Northern Governance and Development from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. He also spent three years working at the UofS as a Community Outreach Coordinator. 

Since returning to Edmonton in 2013, Korthuis has worked as an Assistant Director in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta, as the President & CEO of the Alberta Mental Health Foundation, and as the President & CEO of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.

He is also a member of various philanthropic and community boards in Edmonton, including having also spent time volunteering on the Golden Bears Soccer Alumni Association Board. 

Korthuis is the second Golden Bears soccer athlete to be inducted into the Sports Wall of Fame.
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