Clyde Polk:  

I am a 1975 graduate of Spruce High School. I transferred to Spruce in 1973 after moving to the district in 1973. Spruce High School started busing students from South Dallas to Spruce High that year. It was not a good time for Spruce High School. I remember the problems that existed and all the chaos. My parents had moved from Oak Cliff to Pleasant Grove by Comstock Junior High. I had met some friends from the area and that was it. I was kind of quiet and to myself but loved playing sports and considered myself an average student that believed in getting his school work done. I really did not know what to what to expect in a new school and new people. I played sports and that made it better. I was coming from a Junior Varsity Team at Wilmer Hutchins that was undefeated my freshman and sophomore years. I was used to winning, I did tryout for the Apaches Football Team. The position that I tried out for was Defensive Cornerback and Safety. The position that I had played from little league to sophomore at Wilmer Hutchins and I considered myself a good athlete but not Big headed. However, there was someone in that position that had played previous years so I tried out for the position that had interested me since my sophomore year - defensive end and linebacker, I did make the Team and played for the next two years. I remember in 1974, Spruce played against Carter High School for City Championship and we lost. I did not get offered a scholarship after Senior year but believed that I could play at the next level (College) Earnest Shields was playing at Tyler Junior College, Mark Washington was playing at Arkansas. Earnest told me to come to Tyler Junior College and tryout for the team and I did. I thank God for encouraging friends. I tried out for a Football Scholarship at Tyler Junior College where Earnest Shields was currently playing (Grad 1974). I did well and did make a good impression on the Defensive Coach and Head Coach. I was told to come back in August of 1976 and compete for one of the Defensive End position. I returned to Dallas, TX and worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Company located on Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX. I worked in Shipping and Receiving= driving the Forklift and loading trucks. I worked out and kept myself in shape awaiting my time to compete for a Football scholarship at Tyler Junior College I did return to Tyler Junior College in August 1976 and I did earn a Scholarship to play Football for the next 2 years. I do appreciate the encouragement of Former Apache (Earnest Shields) and other players there that I knew from Wilmer Hutchins, They encourage me to believe in myself and God-given abilities to compete at a high level. I received All Conference Honors both years while playing at Tyler Junior College. I was offered another Football Scholarships to continue playing the next two years by University of Tulsa, Stephen F. Austin University, Southwest Texas University and San Angelo State University. I chose Stephen F. Austin University. I played there for the next two years as an Outside Linebacker. I received Ail Conference Honors the...Expand for more