Men’s basketball coach honored at banquet

By Latesha Johnson | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Men’s basketball head coach Bo Clark was recognized for his exceptional leadership at the “Honoring the Legends” banquet held in the Ponce De Leon Dining Hall.

Flagler College honored Clark along with baseball coach Dave Barnett and tennis coach Walter Shinn for 25 or more years of coaching. The banquet featured a social, silent auction and dinner which was held the day before, but in union with the Flagler College President’s Golf Classic.

Clark was accompanied by his family and was awarded a Legends Plaque.

“It was a nice award and I kind of laughed that they called me a legend,” said Clark, “that should be reserved only for Will Smith.”

Clark was honored that the college did this for him and sends thanks to Presidents William Proctor and William Abare which are the two presidents he has worked for throughout his time.

“They are very special people and I feel blessed and honored to have worked under them,” said Clark, “they are Flagler College,” he added.

Clark has been coaching for 31 years and is in his 27th year as the head of the men’s basketball program at Flagler. Over the years, Clark has led the Saints to three straight appearances in the NAIA Division II National Tournament from 2003-2005. His teams have had 20 or more wins 10 times including five years in a row from 2000-2005. Clark has posted a 441-295 record at the College.

Clark’s father, Torchy Clark, coached for 40 years at the University of Central Florida and in high school. He is the all-time most winningest coach in UCF basketball history.

“He was my biggest influence and a great role model for me to follow,” Bo Clark said.

Clark has coached many players that have gone on to play professionally and is now coaching his son, Matt Clark. Matt is a sophomore guard for the Saints and is proud to be a part of his father’s legacy.

“There are both advantages and disadvantages of being a coach’s son,” said Matt Clark, “but I knew that from the start and I wanted to play for my father and be a part of a great basketball program at Flagler College,” he added.

Growing up, Clark went to as many of his father’s games as he could and it was then that he began to admire what Coach Clark was building and he too wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“It was a great experience and I remember sitting there saying to myself how I wanted to play and become a coach just like my Dad,” said Clark.

Now that he is done watching and is now playing for his father, Matt still feels the same.

“My Dad is a great coach and he is an even better person,” said Clark, “I learn something new from him every day and the ladder just keeps continuing.”

Coach Bo Clark continues his legacy at Flagler College in hopes to develop positive relationships with his players and help them enjoy their Flagler experience both academically and athletically.

This year the Saints have played two exhibition games against Division I programs Stetson and North Florida to prepare for the regular season. They were not able to pull out a win but seek to improve a few things in practice.

The Saints will kick off their season with a home opener against Trinity College on November 14 at 8 P.M.