Hall of Fame Profiles · Class of 1995

Kevin Clark '81 (basketball, coach)
Pat Hassett (coach, administrator)
Raymond Manarel '41 (basketball, baseball, soccer)
Marge O'Brien '83 (basketball)

All profiles appear as written at the time of induction

Kevin Clark ‘81

A four-year starter and two-year men’s basketball captain, Clark was a three-time All-America selection, earning Second Team honors as a sophomore and First Team honors in his junior and senior seasons. He was selected as the 1981 New England Division III Player of the Year by both the Eastern College Athletic Conference and United Press International. In his four seasons, Clark scored 1,605 points to currently rank fourth among all-time scorers. He also continues to hold school records for career rebounds (1,447), career rebounding average (14.4), and career field goal percentage (.600). As a freshman, Clark helped lead the Cougars to their first of 11 consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament. For his playing accomplishments, Clark earned the Athletic Department’s Hebert Trophy, as the outstanding senior male athlete.

Following graduation, Clark stayed on at his alma mater as assistant basketball coach. He then served in the same capacity at Division I Holy Cross in 1982-83. Clark gained additional playing experience in the Irish International League that same year. He returned to Clark University in 1983 as assistant women’s basketball coach before resuming his role as assistant men’s coach, a position he retained for three more years. In 1987, Clark replaced Wally Halas ‘73 (inducted into last year’s Hall of Fame) as head coach of the Cougar men’s basketball program. In Coach Clark’s first season, his squad posted a 20-7 mark and won the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship. He continued to coach at Clark for three more years, earning an overall 61-43 mark, before accepting a position as assistant coach at Fairfield University, an NCAA Division I Tournament participant the past two seasons. Kevin and his wife, Robin, have a son, Kory (18 months).

Presenter: Kevin Cherry ‘81

Pat Hassett

Pat Hassett was one of the pioneers in the development of women’s athletics at Clark University. A native of the city of Worcester, Hassett came to Clark in 1969 and helped develop its intercollegiate athletic program for women. She resurrected the women’s basketball program, which had been non-existent for several years, and she started varsity crew, softball, tennis and volleyball programs for the Clark women. Hassett was an energetic advocate for women’s sports at the University for 18 years as director of women’s athletics. She coached the women’s basketball team from 1969-1973 and in 1971 took on additional duties as director of physical education and recreation for both men and women.

Among the highlights of Hassett’s tenure were seeing the women’s volleyball and basketball temas earning state championships in 1973, the first time any Clark athletic teams had accomplished that feat; maintaining Clark’s physical education program, which had a tremendous amount of participation by Clark sudents; and in 1977 establishing the M. Hazel Hughes Trophy, which is presented to the senior female athlete who has made a significant contribution to the Clark athletic program. Hassett left Clark in 1986 to run her own furniture and gift shop, The Village Barn, in North Rutland, MA. She continues to be an active participant in racquetball, weight training, and pick-up basketball games.

Presenter: Pat DeCaire ‘83

Raymond Manarel ‘41

A multi-talented athlete, Manarel played soccer, basketball, and baseball while at Clark. After earning his teacher certification at University of Brockport, Manarel came to Clark in 1939 to pursue his bachelor’s degree. He was best known for his achievements on the baseball diamond and the basketball court, where he was a teammate of the late Ziggy Strzelecki ‘43, one of Clark’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductees last year. In just two years, he had a tremendous impact on Clark athletics and received the department’s Hebert Award, which is presented to a senior male who made significant contributions to the athletic program. He also was selected by his classmates as the Best Athlete of the senior class.

After graduation, Manarel continued his athletic pursuits. He played four years with the Worcester Irish Americans, a semi-professional basketball team. His outstanding play for the Norton Company earned him selection to the semi-pro All-America Team. After completing his playing career, Manarel served as a scout for the Yankees from 1948-51. With teaching as one of his life-long goals, Manarel worked at the GM Institute, where he was an instructor in management development from 1950-74. Ray and his wife, Virginia, reside in Ocala, FL and have had four children: Carolyn, Lisa, Raymond,Jr., and the late Charles Manarel.

Presenter: Matthew Stepanski ‘42

Margie O’Brien ‘83

One of the most talented basketball players to graduate from Clark, O’Brien earned numberous accolades, including three-time All-America First Team selection in 1981, 1982, and 1983 Division III National Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Honda Broderick Award, given to the top female collegiate athlete in the country. She was the recipient of the M. Hazel Hughes Award, presented to the senior female athlete who has has a significant impact on the Clark athletic program.

A premier post player during her playing days, O’Brien led Clark to back-to-back NCAA Division III Final Four appearances in 1982 and 1983. In her four seasons, Clark sported an 82-35 record and won NCAA Northeast Championship titles in 1982 and 1983. O’Brien still reigns as Clark’s all-time leading scorer (2,215 points) and rebounder (1,367) and is the only Clark player, male or female, to break the 2,000 point and 1,000 rebound marks. For her accomplishments, O’Brien was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” section in 1983.

O’Brien has continued her contributions with the women’s basketball team at Clark. After serving as head women’s basketball coach at Anna Maria college in the 1985-86 season, O’Brien has served as an assistant coach for the Clark women’s basketball program since 1986.

Presenter: Barbara Stevens