"THE WILL TO WIN MEANS NOTHING WITHOUT THE WILL TO PREPARE."

Mike Black is now in his 41^st year of teaching physical education in independent schools, having spent the first 23 years in the St. Louis area.  This will be his 19^th year at St. Francis School.  Mike has taught K through 8 for many years, although he currently teaches grades 3 through 8.  Helping children build athletic skills and take on physical challenges is the essence of physical education at St. Francis.  He has been a member of five ISACS evaluation teams.

Mr. Black has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Southeast Missouri University.  Before moving to Kentucky, Mr. Black has been a high school athletic director, a math teacher and a coach of football, wrestling, soccer, baseball, volleyball and track and field.  In college, Mr. Black was a track and field athlete.

Mr. Black also leads the 8^th grade backpacking trip to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area each fall, and travels extensively in the Rocky Mountains during the summer.