Hall of Fame: Bill Clark

Don Cantrell

Bill Clark, an All-Sunset League guard for Newport Harbor High in

1947 was ‘true grit’ on the football field and a devoted leader on the

baseball fields after his prep days.

He also coached football at St. Joachim’s School and Little League in

Costa Mesa.

One sterling highlight years later was when he received a letter from

one of his baseball players, who went on to the major leagues. In

essence, the letter said, “Mr. Clark ... I’ll never forget what you did

for me.”

Clark has long treasured those few words of gratitude.

The late Wendell Pickens, who once coached Harbor High football and

baseball, considered Clark one of the finest linemen he ever had in 1946

and ’47.

One of Clark’s favored roles came in 1946, when the Newport Sailors

stunned the undefeated CIF champion Santa Ana Saints, 13-13, during a

wild and crazy dust storm at the Santa Ana Bowl.

The Tars totally shut down Johnny Fouch, the dazzling triple threat

for the Saints.

Clark came on the scene again at guard in 1947 when he helped pave a

4-yard touchdown run for sophomore fullback Bob Berry. Newport won 7-0 to

upset the Fullerton Indians, the league champions.

To this day, Clark remains immensely proud of his teammates, including

‘47 All-Sunset League tailback Louis Mello, All-CIF selection Bob

Thompson and All-CIF choice in ’46 and ’48 guard Edwin “Doc” Hanson.

Mello was a “Tar of the Year” in 1946-47, Hanson was a record sprinter

and superb blocker and Clark felt Thompson had great potential. However,

Thompson married and passed up college.

In his years of community softball, Clark shined as a catcher for a

municipal team and the Costa Mesa Police Department softball club. He

spent about nine years on the two teams.

Clark dedicated many years to public service, including valued duty

with the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

In his time, Clark suffered numerous grid injuries, but the most

troublesome ailment has been his knees. They took on increased wear and

tear after playing catcher for years on the softball teams.

“It all started in one game years ago,” he said. “There was a dogpile

and I wound up with my knees bent back. It was so bad I had to leave the

game.”

In another game, he found one of his fingers stuck in a rival’s

shoulder pad.

“It tore my finger all to pieces,” Clark said. “Then on the next play,

someone stepped on it with their cleats.”

The finger was not quite normal ever again.

He had his nose broken seven times and lost his front teeth during

grid days. There were no helmets with face gear in those days and many

players took a beating.

Bill Clark, yet another in the Long Gray Line at Newport Harbor, and a

member of the Daily Pilot’s Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating the

millennium.