I did say I would write about former players and that is going to continue with Erin Clark.
Clark was a person and player I always liked. She's a really nice person who you could always have a conversation with, and also, I would also say is unique, and by unique I mean that in a good way.
Clark was probably the third person I met on the team once I started working with them. Cory was the first one I met. Next was Ally.
I remember feeling very out of place at first. I would hide behind the fence gate that would be the entrance to the field. I felt safe there as a newbie. I had a fence behind me, and a fence gate to the left of me, so I felt like I had my own comfortable plot on the field where I could be without disturbing anyone. (This is actually where I have ALWAYS sat and put my stuff. I think Dorn put stuff there too...but I always walk through the gate on the field and go right, away from the bench, and place my things.)
I remember sitting at my spot and before practice one day Clark introduced herself to me. She asked if I was that guy who was writing about the team. Something like that. I said yes and that's how we began to get to know one another.
Clark was one of my first few interviews because I felt comfortable around her. I believe her interview was the week before the South Florida trip because I remember telling her I was jealous I couldn't go. Her interview was awesome. She was one of the best interviews I had.
(I've ranked them, or started to rank them...the best interview actually occurred this year, and I doubt it could be topped...ever, especially in terms of length, or fun)
I spoke to Clark about an array of things, and I'd have to read the transcribing in order to remember what exactly we spoke about. The thing I remember the most though was actually transcribing the interview. Clark gave great answers, they were just long answers, which I loved, but also increased the amount of time I spent in transcription. I remember spending over an hour listening and typing and editing, and I remember being worried about finishing the interview and then doing homework.
And then doing homework...So my priorities were um, well uh. I had a 3.7 that semester so it must have worked out!
Now Clark's goal in 2009 against Wake Forest was off the top of my head, my second favorite goal of the season, only second to Taylor's NCAA winner. Clark looked like she shot right out of a cannon and headed right for a Wake player and just stole the ball from her. She was possessed when she entered that game and stole that ball. There wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that once she took the ball that she was going to the net and scoring. Clark did a slight juke at the end to get past one final defender and easily scored what would be the match winning goal. Her goal was so memorable because of how she took the ball away from Wake. It was the equivalent of LeBron stealing the ball and going untouched to dunk it. I loved that goal, and it was one of my favorite goals that I saw in all my years watching the team.
Clark was someone I always thought was great at taking players on. I also remember her running all over the field to score several of her goals. Her 2010 goals against St. John's and Yale had her running with the ball forever. Her St. John's goal was somewhat similar to St. John's in a way because if I remember correctly she stole the ball around midfield again and just ran and ran. Clark's 2010 goal against Syracuse was also memorable because it was so quick into the game. I blinked and we were winning, which was a nice feeling.
Clark also liked to slide. One of my favorite clips of any player that I captured on film is her doing three straight slide tackles against Penn State. It always represented working hard and never giving up to me and I threw that into as many highlight videos as I could without being obnoxious about it.
I remember Clark best for the things off the field though, which I might say for most players I knew pretty well to be honest.
I think of Clark has someone who is artistic. Clark took a floral arrangement class and she would always bring in flowers to the office. Needless to say I was always impressed with the work she did, even though I had no idea how she did it, nor what flowers were used. Mary really loved them too, and every time she brought in new flowers they were the talk of the office when I was there.
Clark also makes me think of Golf. She plays and I believe worked at a course. I remember sitting and talking about golf and my new golf driver during preseason. I was going to the driving range and working on my swing a lot then, so it was nice to have someone to talk to about it. I also constantly compared my driving ability to Clark's too. She told me she won a driving contest with a drive of 210 yards. I was so impressed because when I first started playing I couldn't hit it 150 yards. Now I believe I can hit it 275 when I really swing...(although sometimes I doubt the markers) but for a while when I was learning to swing correctly I was going...ok, 10 more yards until you can reach Clark's drives.
Clark also is unique, and in a good way. Last year on Valentine's Day she made Valentine's for everyone at work. (She was working in marketing) Clark gave me a Valentine card and I still have it in the office, pinned up. I'll certainly take it with me to my next office. It was her own unique way of showing appreciation to those around her.
Clark also impressed me because I remember her talking to me about wanting to work in athletic marketing on campus as a junior. It was awesome to see her go from talking about it, to actually doing it. I was so happy for her when she told me she would be helping out Athletic Marketing as a senior. I also remember teaching her a few things I knew about photoshop. She was a natural though. After a few minutes I said she should just start using it, and that she didn't need my help. I had her teach me a few things in the spring when she was working for athletic marketing because she knew things I didn't know. She actually helped out a good deal with lacrosse's marketing last year.
Clark was a wonderful player and person, and someone I really enjoyed helping out as a part of the program. I wish her well and know she is well on her way to doing great things.
I also bet I'll think of more things about Clark later, but for now these stories are what come to mind.
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