Mixed recruiting on Saturday with a celebration of a great life at the service for Waddell Howard, the father of Stephen Howard, who passed away last week. When a "Coming Home Service" includes "When the Saints Come Marching In" and "Everlasting Life" on the saxophone, God shines even in the pain of the moment. I have always felt in the difficult times it is Faith, Family, and Friends that pull people through, but with the three untimely deaths the BC family has dealt with recently, I would like to add Team to that group.
In the last couple of months when needed, the BC team has shown up when it had nothing to do with football. I remember asking Stephen the Monday after the Randolph Macon game if his Dad who was in the hospital at UVA was able to pick up the game on radio. That game Stephen intercepted a pass and ran it for a touchdown (not the norm for a Defensive End). Stephen replied that his Dad could not get reception, but his brother JR. who is in the Air Force (stationed in Colorado) had the game up on the computer stream and with his cell phone was able to let his father listen and stay updated on his phone in the hospital room. Welcome to the 21st century, where a computer in Colorado can let a father in a Virginia hospital on his cell phone share his son's touchdown. It is an image I will always remember.
We will begin Spring Semester on Wednesday. The team will come together again and I hope they realize that the collective effort, discipline, and sacrifice being a good teammate demands forges a bond that goes beyond Saturday's in the fall. If you pay the price, the support that comes with it can be broad based and long term. I have seen it recently.
~Coach Clark
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Real Value in Coaching
Photo by former teammate and artist, Vince Turner 
In coaching last week, Jim Harbaugh from Stanford parlayed a great season with the Cardinal into a bidding war between 2 major colleges and NFL teams for his expertise. Rich Rodriguez was payed 2.5 million not to work and a former NFL coach turned Network analyist apparently turned down an "insulting" 4 million dollar offer to get back on the sideline. I got to speak at the funeral of a 30 year old All-American whose life was cut tragically short. From a coaching perspective, my week had the greater value.
I hold no resentment toward the coaches who operate at the 7 figure level. More power to them! If BC offers to compensate me at that level I'd take it and continue to work hard. However, in Glen Burnie MD on Friday I saw a value in the College football experience that cannot be bought.
In the service for Davon Cruz over 25 of his former teammates came back (2 from Florida) to support his family in a time of need. An artist teammate who could not make it drew a portrait that was shipped up and signed. Guys who worked for Marriott provided $25.00 rooms in properties they run. A former college President sat on the altar in that packed church out of respect for a student he had to pursue to ensure he finished the education his mother was promised. After a 2 1/2 hour Pentecostal service where the spirit held sway, a couple of coaches who shared both success and failure with this group 10 years ago took them to lunch where with wives, families and friends we connected as a team again. Davon much like he did as a player, brought the best out in his teammates and coaches.
When you stay somewhere 17 years in coaching there is a connection that extends beyond the field. My players know where to find me and I get a thrill seeing them move on so successfully with their lives. Walking into that church a young women shook my hand and said she was a former Eagle. I corrected her in that "You are always an Eagle!" I spent time Friday with a group of people that reminded me of that with their actions. Go BC
- Coach Clark
In coaching last week, Jim Harbaugh from Stanford parlayed a great season with the Cardinal into a bidding war between 2 major colleges and NFL teams for his expertise. Rich Rodriguez was payed 2.5 million not to work and a former NFL coach turned Network analyist apparently turned down an "insulting" 4 million dollar offer to get back on the sideline. I got to speak at the funeral of a 30 year old All-American whose life was cut tragically short. From a coaching perspective, my week had the greater value.
I hold no resentment toward the coaches who operate at the 7 figure level. More power to them! If BC offers to compensate me at that level I'd take it and continue to work hard. However, in Glen Burnie MD on Friday I saw a value in the College football experience that cannot be bought.
In the service for Davon Cruz over 25 of his former teammates came back (2 from Florida) to support his family in a time of need. An artist teammate who could not make it drew a portrait that was shipped up and signed. Guys who worked for Marriott provided $25.00 rooms in properties they run. A former college President sat on the altar in that packed church out of respect for a student he had to pursue to ensure he finished the education his mother was promised. After a 2 1/2 hour Pentecostal service where the spirit held sway, a couple of coaches who shared both success and failure with this group 10 years ago took them to lunch where with wives, families and friends we connected as a team again. Davon much like he did as a player, brought the best out in his teammates and coaches.
When you stay somewhere 17 years in coaching there is a connection that extends beyond the field. My players know where to find me and I get a thrill seeing them move on so successfully with their lives. Walking into that church a young women shook my hand and said she was a former Eagle. I corrected her in that "You are always an Eagle!" I spent time Friday with a group of people that reminded me of that with their actions. Go BC
- Coach Clark
Monday, January 3, 2011
Coach Clark on the Passing of Davon Cruz
At my age I could have been called home yesterday and not have been cheated in this life. The tragic loss of Davon Cruz (in a car accident) on January 1st reminds us again that although God is good, sometimes life just sucks. He had a smile that could light up a room and as a player he brought Division I ability to the Division III level. Anytime the words "All-Time" follow your name, you know you had impact in a program. As the All-American TB on our 01' Stagg Bowl team, Davon was a key player in our success. We need to keep Carmen (his mom) and the rest of his family in our prayers.
In his time with us we shared both highs and lows. The walls of Nininger Hall are covered with pictures of #15. His nickname was the "Mule" for the load he carried and delivered on teams who changed the image of BC football. I always appreciate the players in our program who are tough people and play hard. Davon was one of these players. We are better here because of his efforts and the standards he helped shape. Always an Eagle, let's look for ways to be a good teammate to Davon and his family at this tough time.
In his time with us we shared both highs and lows. The walls of Nininger Hall are covered with pictures of #15. His nickname was the "Mule" for the load he carried and delivered on teams who changed the image of BC football. I always appreciate the players in our program who are tough people and play hard. Davon was one of these players. We are better here because of his efforts and the standards he helped shape. Always an Eagle, let's look for ways to be a good teammate to Davon and his family at this tough time.
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