[Yellow Jacket fan]

It is with a heavy heart that I have to report to you that Coach Kenny Roark passed away on 4/19/12 at approximately 10PM after a long battle with illness and Kidney failure.

As you know Coach Roark played at Middlesboro in the 1970's, graduating in 1975. Roark was part of the Peach Bowl Champions Kentucky Wildcats in 1976, and named AP ALL-SEC team member in 1980.

Coach Roark was part of the training camp teams of the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, but injuries kept him from making the teams. After the NFL, Coach Roark started his coaching career at Union College and Tennessee Wesleyan before coming home to be an assistant in 1989 under then Coach Gary Barnett.

In 1992 Roark was named head coach of the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets football team, and eventually winning the 1998 KHSAA Class A state football championship over the Mayfield Cardinals. Coach Roark is one of the select few who are part of the Middlesboro sports hall of fame two times. Once as a player, and once as a coach as part of the state championship team.

During Coach Roark's time as Head Coach of the Yellow Jackets, Middlesboro won numerous district and regional championships, and for 17 years in a row had a winning record. Unfortunately in 2010 that streak was broken, and he was relieved from his coaching/athletic director duties shortly after the season ended.

While Coach Roark had some off the field issues, he was looking forward to getting a fresh start last season, taking over the Clay County Tigers football team. Roark faced a difficult rebuilding year during last season, and was looking forward to working with the young Tigers to help them get stronger and better when he fell ill at his home in Middlesboro. Health issues finally forced him to resign from the Clay County position on April 1st of this year. His coaching career ends with a record of 154 wins and 72 losses, including as mentioned previously the 1998 Class A state Championship.

Coach Kenny Roark is survived by his Mother, Edith Roark, Son, Chase Roark, Sister Valarie Roark and numerous adopted sons who played for him during his coaching carrer.

Rest in peace Coach Roark, you will be missed.