Sports Briefs (Fall 2001)
Alumni honored at Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies
Kneller news
On Sept. 29, Clark inducted its eighth class into the Athletic Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding athletes, coaches, administrators and others who have distinguished themselves and the University through Clark's athletic program. This year's inductees were Jack Cohen '74 (basketball and soccer), Patricia DeCaire '81 (basket-ball, field hockey, softball) and the late Ralph Saunders '54, MBA '57 (basketball).
Patricia DeCaire '81 was a three-year stand-out on the Clark basketball team and was captain of the squad in her senior year. She was also a major contributor on the field hockey and softball teams.
After transferring to Clark from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in her sophomore year, DeCaire helped Clark become one of the top basketball teams in the state. In her junior year, she led the team in assists with 10 per game and was instrumental in leading Clark to a 21-8 record and a MAIAW State Championship. She had 12 assists in the championship game and was named tournament Most Valuable Player. Though hampered by a knee injury in her senior season, she averaged 7.3 points and 3.5 steals, and tallied 127 assists to help Clark advance to the MAIAW State Regionals. During her three-year career, the team posted an impressive 61-16 overall record.
DeCaire was also a three-year starter on both the field hockey and softball teams and served as an assistant basketball coach for one year.
DeCaire, who earned a degree in medical dentistry from Boston University Dental School, has her own practice in Shrewsbury, Mass., and is married to Joseph Antonellis. She has remained an active alumna, serving on the Clark Alumni Council for eight years and the Hall of Fame Committee for four years. She was presented for induction by former women's basketball coach Barbara Stevens.
Jack Cohen '74 was a four-year starter and two-year captain on the men's soccer team. He was named to the All-New England team in 1971 and 1972. During his sophomore and junior years, he played in the All-New England All-Star game for the college division, which played annually against the university division at the end of the season. Cohen led the soccer team in scoring in his senior season with 12 goals.
Cohen also participated one year in the basketball program. He received the Hebert Award, an annual award given to the outstanding senior male athlete who has made a significant contribution to the intercollegiate athletic program and whose dedication and performance have enriched the tradition of Clark Athletics.
Following graduation, Cohen coached the Clark men's soccer team to a 6-6-1 record in 1975. He went on to play on several semi-pro teams in Massachusetts and California from 1976—84. Cohen was inducted into the Dutchess County, New York Soccer Hall of Fame in 1984.
A graduate of the University of San Diego Law School, Cohen is currently vice president of Legal, Collections and Special Operations for Automotive Finance Corporation in Indianapolis, and is an active member of his community. He and his wife Wendy Gottesman Cohen '74 have two sons, Daniel and Andrew. He was presented for induction by Peter Eleftherakis '74.
Ralph Saunders '54, MBA '57 was a four-year starter on the basketball team and served as a captain in his junior and senior seasons. He received the Whitman scholarship, awarded to a basketball player with outstanding ability who contributed most to Clark Athletics.
In his first year, Saunders set a school record for points in a season, scoring 199 points and averaging 12.4 points per game, and was named to the All-City Team. In his sophomore season, he became one of the most potent offensive players in the city, averaging 17.4 points per game—the highest average in the Worcester area at the time. He was named to the All-City team for the second time in 1952. In his last two years, he averaged 16.9 points per game and scored 608 points. Saunders became the first Clark basketball player to reach 1,000 points, finishing his career with 1,086 points in 68 games.
Saunders was a business major who graduated magna cum laude.After serving in the U.S. Army in Schweinfurt, Germany, from 1954—56, he returned to Clark to earn a master's degree in business administration.
Saunders stayed active in sports serving as an official for United States Swimming and as an umpire for Shrewsbury Little League. He also directed the Central Massachusetts Council of Campfire. He was a senior vice president and chief lending officer at Home Federal Savings Bank in Worcester until his death in June of 1987. He was survived by his wife Susan and their children. His son Matthew Saunders accepted the honor on his father's behalf. Presenting Saunders for induction was his life-long friend Roy Russell.
The final phase of renovations to the Kneller Athletic Center was completed this summer. Facility improvements included: the renovation of the general and varsity team locker rooms; the refurbishment of the Bernstein Lounge and Conference Room; the renovations of the Athletic Department Office area and construction of four new offices; the installation of a divider curtain for the Hurst basketball/volleyball courts; and the upgrade of the athletic training room and Bickman Fitness Center.
The initial phase of the renovations included installing a wood floor on the Hurst Courts and renovating the Kneller lobby. The improvements were the result of a generous grant from the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation.
New faces at the Kneller
The Athletic Department welcomed the following new staff during the summer.
- Joseph Brady, who was the women's soccer coach at Anna Maria College for the last five years, joined Clark as head of the women's soccer program and the sports information director.
- Andrew Tuccio, a graduate of Plymouth State College, is an assistant athletic trainer. Prior to joining Clark, Tuccio was the head athletic trainer at Medway High School in Medway, Mass.
In addition, Paul Phillips and Karen Chambers Farrell were promoted to assistant athletic directors. Phillips also remains the head men's basketball coach. Farrell, who previously served as sports information director, remains the head women's volleyball coach. Third-year baseball coach s has assumed additional duties as director of the Bickman Fitness Center.
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Patricia DeCaire '81
Jack Cohen '74
The late Ralph Saunders '54, MBA '57