Rob Stark (2001) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Rob Stark

Induction:
2001
Class:
1976

Rob Stark Track and Field Head Coach, 1976-2000 Years at MSU: 1976-2000 Hometown: Polson, Montana “Rob set such an example by his hard work and his enthusiasm for track that coaches and athletes are drawn to him” –MSU Coach Dale Kennedy Talk to people who have been involved with Montana State track and field since the moment in 1976 that Rob Stark moved three hours west and fulfilled a dream. Listen to hat they say about Stark, who in 24 years ran the MSU track and field program, tightening every bolt, hammering every nail, attending to every detail. You never hear about the awards, about the All-Americas coached, about the long winning streak over the University of Montana. What you hear about is Rob Stark the guy. About the countless instances of Stark worrying more about his athletes getting to class and dealing successfully with life’s challenges than the next trip down the long jump runway. You hear about how Stark would go out of his way to help another person, about how he couldn’t help but draw people to himself because of his integrity and enthusiasm. Upon arriving at MSU, Stark immediately turned around a track and field program that operated essentially on the intramural level. As funding was increased the program took off, culminating which runner-up finishes in the Big Sky Outdoor meet in 1990, ’91 and ’98. But through the down ears and the up, the inevitable failures of athletics as well as the glory, one thing stands as Stark’s legacy: the unfailing lesson of the indomitabiliby of the human spirit, and the ability of people to raise others up. It is the knowledge that one person, regardless of vocations, can make a difference. Because undoubtedly, Rob Stark has made a difference.