John H.A. Lark

A descendant of Cherokee, Choctaw and Africian heritage was born to the parentage of Henry Lark and Lavinia Augusta Lane, April 29, 1929. He is married to Gwendolyn Faulkner, three daughters Jan, Terri and Cheryl, three grandsons Bruce Jr., Rueben II and Bryson.

Lark, a Dallas native and a product of the Dallas public school system was graduated in the top five percentile of his class and was a candidate for valedictorian at Lincoln High School. Because of his outstanding achievements in scholarship and athletics, Lark was considered one of the most sought after athletes. He was labeled as a "Blue Chipper" and as a big halfback being one of the first with 4.2 speed.

Lark was elected president of his graduating class at Bishop, and earned a B.S. degree. His graduate work was done at the following universities:

• University of California at Los Angeles - M.S.
• Southern Methodist - Mental Retardation & Physical Handicaps
• Notre Dame - Public Relations Certification ACPRA
• Clark University, Massachusetts - PR & Alumni Affairs
• Howard University - Development and Governmental Relations
• Chicago School of Culinary Art

As a multi-talented individual, Lark was subjected to many endeavors such as art, writing, speaking, designing, teaching, coaching, officiating, cooking and business. As an athlete Lark was an outstanding running back and sprinter, running the century dash in 9.5 and the 220 in 20.9. He became a Southwestern sprint champion his freshman year in college and later an all conference halfback. He holds the distinction of never being tackled in the backfield and leading in scoring for three years at Bishop College.

COACHING EXPERIENCE: DISD (1953-61) Bishop college (1961-71)

AWARDS:

• 1945- All-City Guard Lincoln
• 1946- All-City Back Lincoln
• 1948- Sprint Champion Southwestern Conference
• 1950- All Conference Southwestern
• 1951- MVP Prairie View Bowl Houston
• 1973- Collegiate Sports Information publisher's Award
• 1976- Miller Brewing Co. - PR & Educational Award
• 1996- Dallas Officials Hall of Fame and Lifetime Membership

COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Served as Cub & Scout Master for Circle Ten Council. Assistant physical Director Moorland Y.M.C.A., Fund Raising Committee Moorland Branch Y.M.C.A., Director of Bishop College summer youth sports program, Board Member for the Dallas Transit system DART, Chairperson William B. Miller Elementary, Advisory Board Officiated Interschlastic, Collegiate and Semi-pro sports for 30 years.

ACHIEVEMENTS:
Spring of 1972, helped organize the first "Battle of the Bands" in the nation at Texas Stadium with Braniff Airlines sponsoring the $25,000 prize money. Participating schools were, Grambling, Southern, Arkansas A.M.&N and Bishop. Grambling won the competition before 41,000.
1974 - created the "Hall of Fame" to honor and recognize the outstanding alumni of Bishop College.
1953-61 - Undefeated as a track and field coach for seven years in DISD eighth grade competition.
In the mid seventies became the first black PA announcer at the Cotton Bowl and Texas Stadium.

MEMBERSHIPS:
GOOD STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, DANIEL CROSS ELKS LODGE, DALLAS OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

RETIRED FROM COACHING - 1971 Bishop College

INDUCTOR: Robert I. Thomas, Executive Director of Athletics DISD

BACK TO THE 1999 CLASS