Participation in high school extracurricular sports can provide our children with life-lessons such as the value of hard work, teamwork, pride & modesty when winning and humility in defeat. A coach who can teach these values as well as the x’s and o’s of the game itself are few and far between. However, Coach David Clark of Jacksonville High School’s girls’ volleyball program is such a coach.
Our daughter Michelle and four of her now senior-class classmates entered Coach Clark’s program several years ago as 7th graders with modest athletic talent.
Since then, this group – as well as many others who have graduated and others coming up behind – have enjoyed yearly Elite Eight appearances that most recently include two state championships as well as a runner-up title.
Coach Clark clearly knows the x’s and o’s of the game, but more important and meaningful to the long term development of his players is the atmosphere he creates for his teams.
Coach’s quiet demeanor underlies his devotion to teaching the technical skills necessary to compete but also the confidence and work ethic necessary for young women to succeed well beyond the volleyball court.
He accomplishes this feat with doses of firmness, fun, and tenderness applied to the right player in the right way at right time.
Congratulations on your back-to-back championships, Coach Clark and Lady Eagles! But more importantly Coach Clark, thank you for the life-long impact you have on so many of your players, including our daughter.
Steve & Laura Doe
Jacksonville
