ELK GROVE, Calif. — Coach Mark Taylor taught track and field for almost 41 years when he planned to retire after spending the latter half of his career at Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD).
That's when his wife, Cheryl Taylor, said he was struck by a car while biking on his way to work, sparking a flood of medical-related expenses.
But Coach Taylor's community wasn't going to let him go through his recovery alone.
"Teachers got out of school and went to visit him in the hospital. The track kids did a bunch of posters for him, and we decorated the hospital room with them," Cheryl Taylor said. "Elk Grove Unified School District and the community really came together."
Beyond words and letters of support, Cosumnes Oaks High School Wolfpack Boosters are organizing a Glow in the Dark 5K Walk/Run fundraiser for Coach Taylor Friday at the high school.
Uplifting Coach Taylor
The Nov. 8, 2023 incident took Coach Taylor off the field and put him on a path toward medical recovery as he works with a physical therapist to regain all of his abilities.
Shawntay Taylor said she was at school working as a seventh grade teacher when she heard her dad was injured while riding his bike.
"I was extremely upset, but happy he was alive — that's pretty much what I kept telling myself because I was still at school and had to finish the day off teaching these seventh graders," she said.
The beloved coach was in the ICU for three months before heading home where he continues recovering, that's when Shawntay Taylor said medical expenses and modifications to their home became costly.
She soon learned, however, that the community began fundraising for her father.
"I think it's a testament to how great my father is," Shawntay Taylor said. "He's very humble, and says, 'I don't need this,' but my dad is well loved so I'm trying to explain to him it doesn't matter how you feel, you touched so many peoples' lives that they naturally want to help."
Cosumnes Oaks High School activities director Lara Henderson said she helped organize the Glow in the Dark 5K Walk/Run fundraiser for Coach Taylor planned for Friday.
Students mapped out the 5K, she said, and they had water and snacks donated to the student-led event.
Check-in time for the 5K hosted at Cosumnes Oaks High School is 7 p.m., with the event going from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets will be $15.
"The kids love (Coach Taylor), he's so easy going — when you're around him you're calm. He's one of our wolfpack," Henderson said. "When I announced this at our staff meeting, I saw people taking copious notes, everyone was very interested."
Matthew Winn not only coached alongside Mark Taylor for years, but he was also among his first track and field students about 35 years ago.
Winn said Coach Taylor had a lot of success throughout his career, especially with girls sports in the 1990s, and he continues to be a magnetic coach.
Now a teacher, Winn said he can't see himself returning to coaching without Mark Taylor and wishes him a speedy recovery.
"He's one of those guys you want to run and compete for, so I'm not surprised at all for the outpouring of support," Winn said. "I'm glad their having a fundraiser for him Friday; it pays tribute to one of the most outstanding men on the planet. If you knew him as long as I have, he'd be your best friend too."
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