Mark Sauer of Delray Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, at the age of 78. A prominent figure in professional sports and a passionate advocate for educational equity, Mark leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, service, and compassion.
Best known for his executive roles in professional sports, Mark served as Deputy COO of the St. Louis Cardinals, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1991–1996), and CEO of the St. Louis Blues (1996–2006). His tenure in these positions reflected his strategic insight and commitment to excellence. Yet, Mark often said he was most proud of his post-retirement work in South Florida, where he transformed the lives of hundreds of low-income minority students aspiring to attend college.
Mark was born on November 17, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to Ralph Sauer, a U.S. Navy officer, and Betty Foley. Alongside his older sister, Christine, Mark grew up in a variety of places—including Virginia, Hawaii, Kansas City, and Chicago—developing a lifelong love for learning, the ocean, and sports.
He studied accounting at the University of Illinois and later earned his MBA from Columbia University. His early career took him around the world with three Fortune 500 companies, eventually settling in St. Louis, where he joined Anheuser-Busch before transitioning into sports management. Mark and his first wife, Georgia, raised two sons, Peter and Alex. He relished watching their athletic journeys, especially cheering on Peter during his basketball career at Stanford University.
In 2006, Mark moved to Delray Beach to fulfill his retirement dream of living near the ocean and supporting youth through sports and education. Known locally as “Coach Mark,” he fell in love with the community—and with Donna Sandberg, whom he met in 2007 and married in 2013. The couple shared 18 joyful years together.
After retiring to Delray Beach, Mark became Athletic Director at Village Academy, a Title I middle and high school. There, he witnessed firsthand the barriers his students faced and began devising a plan to help them build brighter futures.
In 2014, he founded Delray Students First, a nonprofit with a mission to prepare low-income students for college. The organization was renamed Bound for College in 2020 and provides ACT/SAT tutoring, mentorship, life skills support, and scholarship assistance for students who need more than just ambition to succeed. His impact has opened doors to opportunity for hundreds of young people.
Under Mark’s leadership, Bound for College expanded to six Palm Beach County public schools, serving more than 200 students in grades 6–12 who are committed to pursuing higher education. Participating schools include Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Village Academy and Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach Community High School, Santaluces High School in Lantana, and launching in fall 2025, Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach. Hundreds of students have completed the program’s rigorous two-year college readiness curriculum, with over 90% going on to graduate from college and embark on professional careers.
Tre Quan Smith, former wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos graduated from Sauer’s Bound For College program in 2014 and attended University of Central Florida. Tre Quan says, “Mark Sauer will always be the most important man in my life.”
Outside of his work, Mark was known for his zest for life. He was an avid reader, loved paddling on calm mornings, biking to the gym, and grilling chicken to share with passersby. He was often seen around Delray Beach with an iced tea in hand, ready to chat with both friends and strangers.
Mark was predeceased by his son Peter and his parents, Ralph and Betty. He is survived by his beloved wife Donna; son Alex; daughter-in-law Amanda; granddaughters Cate, Charlotte, and Cassie; sister Christine Gerwig and her husband Gordan; niece Greta Gerwig; stepdaughter Lorelei Russell, her husband Dustin, and their sons Thatcher, Milo, and Felix.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 20, 2025, at the Opal Grand Hotel in Delray Beach. All who knew Mark or were touched by his work are warmly invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark’s memory may be made to the Mark Sauer Scholarship Fund and Bound for College.
To contribute online, click HERE, or mail a check to:
Bound for College, Inc. 1686 South Federal Hwy #297 Delray Beach, FL 33483
Mark Sauer believed his life’s purpose was to help motivated students overcome systemic barriers and build fulfilling futures. His passion continues to shine through every life he helped change.