In 1992 the Miamisburg Band Boosters established the Kevin Markwell Memorial Scholarship as a tribute to a band member that died in an automobile accident in the middle of the marching band season.  This scholarship is a tribute to not only an individual that found a way to touch so many lives in a relatively short period of time, but to his family who were loved and respected by Kevin's friends and the community as a whole.

Kevin Markwell's passing evoked an outpouring of emotions that still have an impact more than a decade and a half later.  Those that knew him still have vivid memories of a remarkable person with a big heart.  Kevin epitomized the spirit and dedication to band, and his legacy is of the UNSUNG HERO that took the greatest sense of pride in just being a dot on the field.  He was always the first one there, the last one to leave, and was willing to help anyone in any way that he could.

The Miamisburg Band Boosters consider the Kevin Markwell Memorial Scholarship an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with.  Keeping his memory alive, and delivering the importance of the “Unsung Hero” to our band members each year is more than just a tradition.  It is our way of saying thank you for Kevin's contributions, and genuine love for the band.  This distinction is instrumental in recognizing those that continuously invest hard work – not necessarily for a pat on the back, but because it is the right thing to do.  It is the only band award given out that goes to the heart of a person’s character, and the Miamisburg Band Boosters organization value and promote the qualities that Kevin demonstrated.

We can think of no better way to memorialize Kevin than to publish the thoughts and words of those that knew him well.  If you want to share your thoughts of Kevin on this web page, please email the Miamisburg Band Boosters

Adam Bray states:
He would have graduate 2 years before me.  He died in the fall of my sophmore year,  his senior year.  Well from what I remeber of him , he was a really nice guy and fun to be around.  The one thing that really sticks out in my mind was my freshman year our first grand championship that we won at a local competiton.  We were all on the busses waiting for the results when Don Davis came back and told us.  Everyone, of course, ran off the buses to celebrate.  We were all yelling and screaming and Kevin grabs me by the shoulders and screams in my face " THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!!! RIGHT HERE MAN THIS IS WHERE IT ALL PAYS OFF!! "

Jenny recalls:
Kevin seemed to know everyone. He was one of the rare few that got along with everybody and could transcend the boundaries of every clique.  Kevin loved to laugh and make everyone laugh with him.  He was funny indeed, and very animated.  If you think of Michael Richards, playing the character Kramer on Seinfeld, that was Kevin.
He died in a car accident on Homecoming night, returning from Kentucky where he had been visiting family.  We were all at the dance and didn't find out until the next morning. We went to school on Monday very somberly. The band all met in the band room instead of going to class, where we sat in circle and talked.  Everyone was devastated.
Kevin was remembered every time we marched the rest of the year by pinning black ribbons to our uniform sleeves.  Our lasting tribute for him was that we left his "hole" open.  As marching band members know, when someone is absent, you "close the hole" or “fill the gap” by having everyone scoot closer together to eliminate the space. Kevin's hole was left open the rest of the season to honor his place – it was a void that couldn’t be filled.  I remember the first time we went back on the field in competition without him.  Just before we went on, it rained just a little….which seemed very fitting.

Kevin Rusnak writes:
Kevin Markwell was polite, respectful and always willing to lend a hand to anyone.  He had a big heart, and seemed to live to be part of the band.  He loved the tight-knit character of the band and had a firm place in it.
The biggest thing to point out is that Kevin wasn't just a stereotype of the "unsung hero" working above his ability. He was quite human, like the rest of us, with his strengths and his flaws. It was the measure of his strengths that led all of us who knew him to look past the weakness of his flaws - and that makes him worthy of memorializing. He was a testament to the indispensability of those members of the band who aren't - and don't need to be - the first chair, section leader, or drum major.  I don't remember him being regarded as the best musician, but he was always there working hard and making the best of his ability.

Chris Kovach relates:
Kevin was a true friend in every sense of the word.  I’m still inspired by this, and while I have tried, I wish that I could be the type of friend to others that Kevin was to not only me but everyone that crossed his path.  He was quit