Many individuals might not see similarities between taking part in soccer and serving in the US Armed Forces, however Lieutenant Basic Richard Clark sees many widespread bonds between the 2.
“I inform those that I realized as a lot about management on the gridiron as I did with all of the navy coaching,” Clark defined. “I believe they go hand-in-hand. You study loads about your self and about teamwork. You study loads about issues it’s important to make use of later, particularly within the navy.”
Clark shares these observations from expertise. The Superintendent of the Air Drive Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado grew up taking part in soccer in Richmond, Virginia, and he performed it effectively, incomes all-state honors and making all of it the way in which as much as the school stage taking part in for the Academy. Even after struggling a knee harm and having to change from linebacker to nostril guard, he thrived. What many noticed as a type of adversity, he managed to show into a chance.
“That was a giant change from linebacker, however I realized to like that place and had some success as effectively.”
Clark credited soccer for serving to him develop his psychological power, which grew to become a giant asset for him as he dedicated to a full-time profession within the navy after graduating in 1986. He would see motion in three totally different conflicts – the Gulf Warfare, the Warfare in Afghanistan, and the Iraq Warfare. All through his profession, he would obtain quite a few honors, together with three Distinguished Service Medals and two Bronze Stars, amongst others. He’s most pleased with being alongside the individuals he served with. One second that stands out in his reminiscence is main a squadron of B-1 Aviators into fight as a part of a profitable mission whereas commanding the 34th Bomb Squadron. He was the commander, however he additionally noticed himself as a coach of a soccer crew would.
Clark recalled, “It was a lot like being on an athletic crew. All of us educated, practiced, and ready ourselves mentally, bodily, emotionally for what was about to occur. I leaned on a whole lot of classes that I realized in soccer in that have.”
In 2020, President Donald Trump nominated Clark to succeed Jay Silveria because the Superintendent of the Academy, and he started working in that position on Sept. 23, 2020. He was the primary black superintendent within the historical past of the establishment.
“I’ve been extremely lucky,” he stated humbly. “I by no means thought in my wildest goals that I might ever be Superintendent, however it’s a privilege to be right here and assist develop our future leaders of character.”
After all of the years of defending freedom on the battlefield and altering lives for the higher as Superintendent, Clark’s navy profession is nearing the end line. His final day of lively responsibility comes on Might 31st, however he received’t be settling down into retirement. On June 1st, he’ll take the helm because the Government Director of the Faculty Soccer Playoff. This transition into his different main ardour will include challenges, however that isn’t new to him. He’ll succeed Invoice Hancock, who has served the game effectively, however Clark embraces the chance to make a distinction and positively affect the game in a brand new approach.
“The first factor of the job description is choosing the highest groups in faculty soccer for that yr and put them on the sphere in a playoff format that enables us to play by way of and decide who the primary crew is,” he shared. A giant portion of the job can even contain working with faculties, coaches, commissioners of conferences, and different individuals that may serve vital roles within the course of. Even with the challenges that include the position, he feels the tip end result will likely be a playoff that Individuals might be pleased with.
“Whenever you actually boil right down to it, it’s about pupil athlete success, see the place that success results in, and be pleased with it.”
Clark will see many younger males take the sphere with hopes of elevating a nationwide championship trophy, however he hopes many different younger women and men will embrace the alternatives that include service. He has skilled the advantages that include the navy firsthand, and he has seen others profit from it as Superintendent. He’s optimistic about what is feasible for these of the following technology that reap the benefits of these alternatives.
“I get at hand the baton off to those younger women and men which are going to guide our nation. They’re outstanding younger individuals, so proficient, passionate, patriotic, and motivated. They’re the whole lot you’d need not simply in a navy member however as a human being.”
The 2024 faculty soccer season kicks off in August, with the season’s playoffs happening in December and January. The Nationwide Championship sport will happen on Jan. 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
For extra info on the Academy, go to https://www.usafa.edu.
