Lawndale coach Travis Clark. Palos Verdes at Lawndale CIF Division 5 Soccer Championship on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Robert Casillas, contributing photographer)
After nine seasons as the football coach at Lawndale High School, Travis Clark will transfer to Long Beach Wilson.
Clark confirmed the news Wednesday evening. The school also approved the adoption.
“It happened quickly,” he said. “After the season ended, I had to take some time to consider my options. It was a difficult season for me. I felt like I was losing my culture and my program, and that was tough for me. I decided to put my name in the hat and they offered me the job and I recently accepted it.
“I'm excited about the new challenge.”
Clark led Lawndale to the 2018 CIF Southern Section Division 5 Championship, CIF Regional Title and CIF State Title. Last season was a tough one as I had to go back to Lawndale for football practices and games because my teaching position moved from Lawndale to Leuzinger.
“I learned resilience,” he said. “I have learned that I can endure hardship and get things done even in adversity. I'm going to continue to be there as a leader even though I've been through this. Even though I doubted myself and questioned myself for the majority of the season, I gave it my all.
“I want to thank all the coaches and people who have made sacrifices and helped make that program (Lawndale) what it is. We have put together an incredible run and achieved great things at Lawndale. I have nothing but love for Lawndale. I am grateful for my kids and my entire family and will always love them for the rest of my life. I love my coaches and community and believe in me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”
Clark replaces Scott Meyer, who led the Bruins for the past three seasons. Wilson has had four to six consecutive seasons of success.
Mr. Clark will continue to teach at Leuzinger and attend Wilson. After finishing last season, he believes he is better prepared for second place day.
“I think I’ve gotten better at arranging my practice schedule, so I’m hoping to get better at that,” he said. “Coaching is my passion and what I want to do for the rest of my life. If I'm coaching then I'm happy inside and I'm looking forward to this move. I want to win, I want to send my kids to college, I want to teach them lessons they’ll never forget.”
