oe Louis Clark (born May 7, 1938 in Rochelle, Georgia) is the former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, one of New Jersey's toughest inner city schools. He is also the subject of the 1989… + See More +
oe Louis Clark (born May 7, 1938 in Rochelle, Georgia) is the former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, one of New Jersey's toughest inner city schools. He is also the subject of the 1989… + See More
- See Less - oe Louis Clark (born May 7, 1938 in Rochelle, Georgia) is the former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, one of New Jersey's toughest inner city schools. He is also the subject of the 1989 film Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman. Clark gained public attention in the 1980s for his unconventional and controversial disciplinary measures. He is also the father of the Olympic track athletes Joetta Clark-Diggs and Hazel Clark, and the father-in-law of Olympic track athlete Jearl Miles-Clark.
#30
US800MeterRunner August 19 at 1:05am
Amazing interview...plus my Dad's name is Joe Louis too!
Great interview...another Flotrack gem: giving us something that the networks could never deliver.
Regarding the sprints vs distance...I read it that yes he wanted to buck a possible stereotyping of blacks as sprinters...but he also believes that the type of training necessary to excel in distance (which Master G acknowledges is different than that needed for the sprints) is particularly good at building personal character.
Why might this be true Master G?: Of course sprinting is hard to accel in. yes it is more explosive...and because of this explosiveness there is necessarily a more idleness between reps... and there is a saying: the devil finds work for idle hands. Distance training is necessarily more continuously industrious by nature and Joe likes how that molds character. I happen to agree but as a distance guy I could be biased.
It means a lot to hear it from him.
Kudos to Selby for making the best of a great opportunity for a unique interview. I didn't realize he was the father of the 800 greats
From MasterG
"Why is it necessary for African-Americans to prove themselves in middle distances? Do they need to throw the javelin and hammer as well?
Underlying that premise is: there something deficient about the sprints. I maintain that the sprints are just as difficult a discipline as any of the other events. There's no need to prove anything."
I don't think African Americans need to prove ANYTHING. I also don't think that Joe Clark looks down on sprinting, or sprinters, in any way. I don't think he believes it requires any less discipline, or that there is anything deficient about it. I would bet that he loves sprinting and could talk for hours about his respect for it. I simply think that he wanted his kids to build a certain kind of character, not simply by avoiding sprinting, buy by avoiding a stereotype. Avoiding what he viewed as an "easier path" by falling into what all of their friends were doing, and what they probably felt was their only T&F;ability based on the tremendous success of other African Americans in sprinting on different levels. I think Joe really just wanted his kids to take "the road less traveled" in order to build a certain character. Not avoid sprinting simply because he thinks sprinting can't build tremendous character. He wanted them to take on what would be a greater challenge to them, by going against the grain of things.
I understand what you mean though. In those few minutes, he kind of does sound like he's talking down on sprinting and sprinters.
Joe Clark is a great educator, change-advocate and motivator. I wish our leaders in high school, collegiate and professional sports, local, state and federal government all took one page from his life and ordered their steps accordingly.
Great Interview FloTrack!
Continue bringing inspiring media to the stage you've been given.
Cortez
Spints
he simply wanted to prove that african americans could run something other thn sprints. thats how i heard it
Why is it necessary for African-Americans to prove themselves in middle distances? Do they need to throw the javelin and hammer as well?
Underlying that premise is: there something deficient about the sprints. I maintain that the sprints are just as difficult a discipline as any of the other events. There's no need to prove anything.
Dammmmn! I think we have just had our minds blown by an epic force of nature! I know mine was. That was unbelievable. Listening to him makes it pretty hard to rest on any possible excuse we may have. This is one of the best Flotrack interviews EVER, right up there with Ryan's with Darren Brown when he broke 4 for the first time, and the enthuisasm and infectious energy of so many Jenny B interviews.
I have met Mr. Clark and he comes across as very stern, which he is, but he is also very nice person. Btw, he kids started out as long distance runners and worked their way down to the 800.
I never did understand his aversion for the sprints. The sprints require just as much dedication and work as the middle distances - just of a different nature. The sprints are explosive, so the training has to be different by definition.
I never did understand his aversion for the sprints. The sprints require just as much dedication and work and the middle distances - just of a different nature. The sprints are explosive, so the training has to be different by definition.
There have been some great interviews on Flotrack. But this may be the best. Awesome. I am inspired and am circulating to everyone I know. We need more Joe Clarks!!
From Wikipedia:
Joe Louis Clark (born May 7, 1938 in Rochelle, Georgia) is the former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, one of New Jersey's toughest inner city schools. He is also the subject of the 1989 film Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman. Clark gained public attention in the 1980s for his unconventional and controversial disciplinary measures. He is also the father of the Olympic track athletes Joetta Clark-Diggs and Hazel Clark, and the father-in-law of Olympic track athlete Jearl Miles-Clark.
Flotrack's Kevin Selby spoke with Joe Clark at this year's US Outdoor Championships. June 27, 2009
Joe Clark
Regarding the sprints vs distance...I read it that yes he wanted to buck a possible stereotyping of blacks as sprinters...but he also believes that the type of training necessary to excel in distance (which Master G acknowledges is different than that needed for the sprints) is particularly good at building personal character.
Why might this be true Master G?: Of course sprinting is hard to accel in. yes it is more explosive...and because of this explosiveness there is necessarily a more idleness between reps... and there is a saying: the devil finds work for idle hands. Distance training is necessarily more continuously industrious by nature and Joe likes how that molds character. I happen to agree but as a distance guy I could be biased.
It means a lot to hear it from him.
Kudos to Selby for making the best of a great opportunity for a unique interview. I didn't realize he was the father of the 800 greats
"Why is it necessary for African-Americans to prove themselves in middle distances? Do they need to throw the javelin and hammer as well?
Underlying that premise is: there something deficient about the sprints. I maintain that the sprints are just as difficult a discipline as any of the other events. There's no need to prove anything."
I don't think African Americans need to prove ANYTHING. I also don't think that Joe Clark looks down on sprinting, or sprinters, in any way. I don't think he believes it requires any less discipline, or that there is anything deficient about it. I would bet that he loves sprinting and could talk for hours about his respect for it. I simply think that he wanted his kids to build a certain kind of character, not simply by avoiding sprinting, buy by avoiding a stereotype. Avoiding what he viewed as an "easier path" by falling into what all of their friends were doing, and what they probably felt was their only T&F;ability based on the tremendous success of other African Americans in sprinting on different levels. I think Joe really just wanted his kids to take "the road less traveled" in order to build a certain character. Not avoid sprinting simply because he thinks sprinting can't build tremendous character. He wanted them to take on what would be a greater challenge to them, by going against the grain of things.
I understand what you mean though. In those few minutes, he kind of does sound like he's talking down on sprinting and sprinters.
Great Interview FloTrack!
Continue bringing inspiring media to the stage you've been given.
Cortez
he simply wanted to prove that african americans could run something other thn sprints. thats how i heard it
Why is it necessary for African-Americans to prove themselves in middle distances? Do they need to throw the javelin and hammer as well?
Underlying that premise is: there something deficient about the sprints. I maintain that the sprints are just as difficult a discipline as any of the other events. There's no need to prove anything.
I have met Mr. Clark and he comes across as very stern, which he is, but he is also very nice person. Btw, he kids started out as long distance runners and worked their way down to the 800.
Anyone who has not seen the film, "Lean on Me", is missing out. That is a real powerful movie.
he's one deep thinker