Winona State University Athletics

Graduated WSU 1951
Won 7 letters baseball (4), football (2),
basketball (1)
Member of conference championship football team 1947
Member of conference championship baseball team 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951

Robert L. Stark was a veteran before he came to Winona State Teachers College. After graduating from Red Wing, Minn., High School in 1943, Stark enlisted in the Marines and saw extensive action in the south pacific. He saw combat in the Marshall Islands, Okinawa, and served in defense of Tinian in the Marianas before being honorably discharged on November 29, 1945.

Nearly six years later Stark graduated from the teachers college at Winona, Minn. and was a veteran of athletic contests as a football, basketball and baseball player. During his 1947-1951 career as a collegian, Stark was a quarterback, halfback and defensive back on the Warriors' 1947 conference champion football team and was a pitcher-outfielder for the four-time conference champion baseball team.

His overseas and collegiate experiences helped carry Stark on to a successful career as a coach and administrator at Caledonia, Minn., High School.

Stark served as head baseball coach at Caledonia for 31 years. He directed the football team for 17 years and was the athletic director for 22 years.

During his tenure as a head coach, Stark captured 19 conference baseball titles and 3 conference football titles. As athletic director saw the school's wrestling (1970), football (1976) and girls' golf team (1984, 1988 and 1990) capture state championships.

Stark added his expertise and leadership as president and secretary for the District 1A Coaches Association for many years and was recognized by the Minnesota State High School League for his 25 years as the league's District 1A representative.

Aside from all his efforts in high school athletics, Stark was instrumental in running many of the children's activities for Caledonia's Founders Day.