General | 1/18/2026 8:00:00 AM

Today, Jan. 18, York University Athletics & Recreation is celebrating the life and legacy of former Lions men's hockey player Mark Cross on Mark Cross Memorial Day.

Cross, who played with the Lions from 2011-2016 was one of 16 killed in the devastating Humboldt Broncos bus crash on April 6, 2018.

In the years since Cross' tragic death, the York men's hockey team has adopted the C.R.O.S.S. Spirit, a set of values by which it operates itself both on and off the ice. Containing the traits of Character, Respect, Optimism, Sacrifice and Selflessness, the C.R.O.S.S. Spirit represent five of the many qualities Mark exhibited in his daily life. Head coach Russ Herrington says the program sees it as an obligation to exemplify these attributes as a method of preserving Cross' memory, and that the C.R.O.S.S. acronym is more than just letters, but a way of life.

The Lions are looking for support in one of the following ways:

• Donate $18 (or a multiple of $18) to the Mark Cross Memorial Fund

1. Under DONATE AMOUNT, click on OTHER and enter $18 into DONATION AMOUNT.
2. Choose desired Payment Frequency
3. Enter Donor & Contact Information

• Record a video of 18 reps of an exercise of choice and post on social media, tagging @yorkulions and including the #MC18 hashtag
• Take a selfie wearing MC18 gear and post on social media, tagging @yorkulions and including the #MC18 hashtag
• Talk about how you live out the C.R.O.S.S. pillars of character, respect, optimism, sacrifice and selflessness and post on social media, tagging @yorkulions and including the #MC18 hashtag

The Lions will host the Brock Badgers in the sixth annual Mark Cross Memorial Game on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 2:00 pm. A pregame ceremony will be held featuring 18 seconds of cheering from those in attendance, as well as a ceremonial puck drop by Mark's parents, Brad and Marilyn. Additionally, several former winners of the Mark Cross Heart of a Lion Award including Kaleb Dahlgren a former Humbolt Bronco, Derek McVey, Brock McLeod, and Connor Senken will be in attendance.

Ticketing information for the game can be found at yorkulions.ca/tickets.