Don Torok Inducted into Wall of Fame
by Teresa Crane | Monday, Jun 21, 2021
Florida Atlantic University retiree Donald Torok was inducted into the Clarence High School, located in New York, Athletic Department Wall of Fame (WOF). This honor is bestowed on outstanding individuals who have added distinction to Clarence Athletics through leadership, participation or support.
Donald Torok, Clarence Class of 1969, was a three-sport athlete at Clarence High School from 1966-1969. Throughout his tenure at Clarence, Don earned ten Varsity Red Letters in cross-country, basketball, and track.
Torok came from a very strong athletic family, and he remarkably joins his brother Robert (WOF Class of 2016) and sister Beverly (WOF Class of 2013) on the Clarence Athletic Wall of Fame. When Robert and Beverly were inducted, they thanked their older brother and stated they believed the committee inducted the wrong Torok.
In basketball, Torok was captain and the Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He led his team to a divisional championship with an overall record of 13 wins and 7 losses. For his efforts on the court, Torok was named 2nd Team All-League.
In track, Torok was captain his senior year. Excelling in jumps, he earned the honor of Most Improved Player. He capped off his high school career as the Sectional long jump champion.
For his high school athletic achievements, Torok was named Clarence’s Outstanding Senior Athlete and Buffalo Evening News Outstanding Senior Athlete. He was also very active in school as president of the Varsity Club.
“Clarence is a special place in Western New York and I am thankful for the outstanding education that I received both in the classroom and in the athletic arena. This strong foundation helped to guide my professional career,” said Don Torok.
Torok holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from University of Tennessee/Knoxville. He joined FAU in 1993 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences Program in Exercise Sciences & Wellness Education. He retired from FAU as Associate Dean in 2019 after 25 ½ years of service to the College of Education.