The day before Thanksgiving 2024, Marcus Gundersen, standout Brighton High 2021 graduate, unexpectedly died of a pulmonary thromboembolism. The Brighton community mourned the loss of the affable alumnus who was known at Brighton for his lacrosse goal keeping dominance. He helped take the Brighton lacrosse program to the state semifinals versus Park City and to the finals versus Skyline. His team was on track to take the state title in 2020 when the season was cut short due to the Covid pandemic.

Gundersen played multiple sports. Basketball, baseball, flag football, golf and hockey all before finding his true passion for lacrosse. He spent time studying and practicing all aspects of the sport. 

“He learned the rules and every position before the goalie position found him,” said his mother Cindy Gundersen. He played for many teams across Utah, starting with the Brighton Junior League. As his love grew for the sport so did the teams he played on. These teams include the Brighton High School LAX, 801 Tribe, Wasatch LC, Utah Sting (first box lacrosse), UVU, Utah University club team, Greasy Biscuits, Bright City and ended his career with the Wasatch Whalers in the Box Lacrosse League. Most recently, Gundersen helped lead the Whalers to third place in the Box Lacrosse League championship in Chicago. 

He received many accolades and awards throughout his career. One award that stands out is when he had 43 saves and the game-winning save during an overtime shootout. For this he received the MVP award and team medallion. “On and off the field Marcus was seen as a leader by his teammates, coaches and fans. Usually being the first to arrive and last one to leave the field, always setting the example,” said Gundersen’s sister Claire Gundersen
Johnson.

“He would eat, sleep and breathe lacrosse,” said Gundersen’s long-time girlfriend Hailey Bangerter. “He would just find any sort of program or camp that he could go to, again, to just help out these kids and teach them the way of lacrosse.” His love for lacrosse didn’t just stop with playing the game. He dedicated several hours of his time mentoring players and coaching teams to victory. He enjoyed every moment of teaching kids his passion. His coaching teams consisted of Brighton High School, Skyline High School, Wasatch 2030 team, Tribe camps, Nike camps and several private lessons. Through coaching he found his love of teaching children. It is how he earned his current position at Channing Hall. 

In honor of Gundersen, his current team, the Wasatch Whalers, hosted a memorial game with the University of Utah lacrosse team on Jan. 12. The team posted the following “Ode to Eighty-Eight”: Marcus, You will be the sun shining on us at Sunday pickup games. The wind around us as we run the floor. The laughter that echoes off the wall in the locker room. You are lacrosse & You are our medicine. You are forever our goalie. We love you. ALL HAIL

As a senior at Brighton, he was asked for the best advice for an underclassman. “Just enjoy the time you have. It goes by so fast. Plus you never know when it’s going to end, so work hard and enjoy the results,” responded Gundersen. 

Gundersen is preceded in death by his father Michael Gundersen who died just last May of a sudden heart attack. λ