Truman State University Athletics

Bob Roark, a native of Columbia, Mo., entered the university in the fall of 1935. He earned a letter in basketball as a freshman but not in football. As an upperclassman he was an important part of both teams, performing as a basketball guard and a football halfback. Mr. Roark was named to the All-MIAA team as a senior. He received a B.S.E. degree in 1940 and his first job was teaching physical education and coaching at Hickman High School and Jefferson Junior High School in Columbia. When the U.S. entered World War II in December of 1941, he enlisted in the army. At the end of the war, he returned to his job in Columbia. In 1947 he became head football coach at Hickman and for the next 25 years, he directed the Kewpies to a 169-45-11 record. Two of his teams won the State 4-A Championship. A number of his players went on to play for the Bulldogs. Two of them, Dale "Paley" Mills and Mick Richardson are members of this Hall of Fame. In 1972 he retired as Hickman football coach but remained on the physical education teaching staff and as golf coach until 1976.