RIVALRY WEEK BEGINS:
CLARK BASKETBALL VS. WPI ON TUESDAY
CLARK SWIM & DIVE VS. WPI ON WEDNESDAY
Rivalry week begins in Clark University’s Kneller Athletic Center.
The Clark men’s basketball team will host WPI on Tuesday (7 p.m.), while the Cougar swimming and diving squads will contest the Engineers on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The basketball game will be broadcast live on local WCTR Channel 3.
Not only will basketball fans get their 15 minutes of fame, but the first 100 Clark students will receive free “Defend the Den” t-shirts.
Halftime will also be action-packed, as five lucky raffle winners will take a half-court shot for their chance to win a free 37 inch high definition television. Additionally, the 2008 Clark men’s soccer team will be recognized for earning their first trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament in 21 years. Seniors Ben Wajda and Jenner Alpern, along with head coach David Kulik will be presented with a plaque for their accomplishment.
In conjunction with all of the activity, there is also a game to be played. The Cougars (9-10, 3-4 NEWMAC) are looking to snap a five-game losing slide against the NEWMAC leading Engineers (16-3, 7-0 NEWMAC). Winners of eight straight, WPI, which beat Clark, 91-82, earlier this season, holds a slim 12-11 series advantage since joining the conference in 1998.
Different sport, same rivalry takes place in the Kneller Athletic Center Pool on Wednesday evening. Students should come early for the best seat in the house, and a free Clark Athletic cinch bag. The bag will be given to the first 50 students in the gallery.
The spirit of competition will not be the only thing on the Cougars minds that night, however, as they are also suggesting a $2 donation for the “Rodman Ride for Kids” organization – a youth focused social service agency for at-risk kids.
This will be the second meeting of the season between Clark and WPI. Both teams participated in the Worcester City Championships earlier this season. The Clark women (5-2) defeated WPI, but the Engineers had the upper-hand on the Cougar men (4-2). WPI men enter the meet 3-3 overall, while the women’s team is 1-6.
Cougar Pride is sponsoring both the basketball and swim and dive events.
Back to the top
ALUMNI HONORED FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
A Clark grad, former four-year basketball player, and long-time men's basketball assistant coach received a warm reception on Alumni Day at Clark's Kneller Athletic Center on Saturday, January 24. Tyrone Hicks '86 was recognized at halftime of the men's basketball game for 20 years of service to the Clark University men's basketball program. The longest tenured coach on the staff, Hicks began his assistant coaching career in 1988 and has assisted four head coaches to date. The New Haven, Conn., native, was a four-year standout with the Cougars and a member of two NCAA New England Regional Championship teams and an NCAA Final Four Squad in 1984. Hicks was also the team's top rebounder as a senior in 1986. As a coach, he has mentored and taught scores of Clark men's basketball players. He is pictured with head coach Paul W. Phillips, who presented him with an inscribed plaque for his service to Clark.
Back to the top
ONE-STOP SHOP: CLARK TEAMS UP WITH TURFER
 The Clark University athletic department, in conjunction with Turfer Sportswear, has launched a brand new merchandise and apparel store through the Cougar athletics website. With a greater demand for sports-specific athletic gear, Clark teamed up with Turfer, a company based out of Providence, R.I., for high-quality paraphernelia and accessories at a reasonable price. So, why wait? Wear your colors proud today by clicking here.
Back to the top
TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGING
Clark University's swimming and diving program has embarked on yet another upgrade in the Kneller Athletic Center pool space. After renovating the pool in 2004, the Cougars now have a new timing system and scoreboard to match. The new structure, which was donated in part by Babson College and Mount Holyoke College, has the ability to show fans the current event and heat number, race times for each lane, and the running score for both women's and men's teams.
Donated by the Polyak family in October of 1999, the original timing system was a gift to former head coach Kevin Salisbury (1991-1999) in recogntion of his outstanding contributions. The Polyak's had three standout swimmers compete in Clark's program throughout the years: Steve Polyak '94, Levente Polyak '99 and Ildiko Polyak '02.
Back to the top
The highlights for this newsletter are provided by
Dalya Qualls, Sports Information Director, 508-793-7164.
Email: dqualls@clarku.edu
Newsletter designed/maintained by Joe Brady
(Head Women's Soccer Coach/Athletic Web Site Administrator)
|
|
RIVALRY WEEK BEGINS: 
