Legendary Principal, Who Inspired 'Lean On Me,' And Father Of Olympic Track Athletes Dies

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor 

The family of Joe Clark announced Tuesday that he died at his home in Florida at the age of 82.

Clark was the no-nonsense principal from Paterson, N.J., who inspired the 1989 hit movie "Lean On Me," but for fans of track and field, he was the father in one of the most legendary families in the sport. 

His three children, Joetta Clark-Diggs, Hazel Clark and J.J. (Joe Jr.) Clark all became Hall of Fame caliber athletes or coaches. 

Clark-Diggs made four Olympic teams and won seven U.S. titles on the track. Clark made three Olympic teams and won six U.S. track titles. Their brother, J.J., was a national championship coach at Tennesee and is currently the director of track and field and cross country at Stanford.

The elder Clark, a former drill instructor in the U.S. Army Reserve, found his calling in school administration in New Jersey. He was known for keeping high standards and patrolling Eastside High in Patterson with a baseball bat and a bullhorn. 

Clark was portrayed in the movie by actor Morgan Freeman.