Where Are They Now?: Mark Pfeiffer
By David Driver
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of Xavier football. It was a turning point in the history of the University. Agree with it or not, one thing can’t be argued: Xavier produced some quality players—and people. We tracked down some of them to see what they’ve been doing in the years since they left campus.
Mark Pfeiffer ‘73
Mark Pfeiffer knows the drill, so to speak. He tells people what he does for a living and then sits back and waits for the groans and bad jokes. “What a painful job.” “That job’s like pulling teeth.” “Your job must be filling.” Truth be told, the former Xavier wide receiver is part of a family business that many people want to have no business with. He has a doctorate in dentistry and has an office in Fort Thomas, Ky., that he now shares with one of his four sons. Their motto: “We cater to cowards.”
Pfeiffer never ventured far from his roots. He played football at neighboring Covington Catholic High School and is in the school’s Hall of Fame. “I am still married to my high school sweetheart. I wanted to stay local,” says Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer clearly remembers the first game of his junior season. The game was against Marshall, which lost 37 players in a Southern Airways plane crash in 1970 after returning from a game at East Carolina University. In its first home game after the crash, Marshall beat Xavier, 15-13, for the first win for the new program. A few years ago, Hollywood turned the game into a movie.
But that’s not what Pfeiffer remembers the most about football at Xavier. It was the people. His teammates. Like Ben Ballard who was the best man at his wedding. That’s what made Xavier football special. And still does.
Tim Dydo '74
John Shinners '69
Bill Howe ‘74
Mike Dennis ‘73
Herman “Buck” Moss ‘54
Steve Bailey ‘68
Carroll Williams ‘69
Bob Pickard ‘74
Web Exclusives
More Players from the Past
The Next Generation
Did You Know?
Why the Program was Dropped
The Silver Years
The Three Musketeers
