All profiles appear as written at the time of induction
Jack Cohen, an outstanding midfielder and defensive player, 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. 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 his senior season with twelve goals. Cohen also participated one year in the basketball program. He received the Hebert Award in 1974, which is annually awarded 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 1976-1984. Cohen was inducted into the Dutchess County New York Soccer Hall of Fame in 1984.
Cohen is a graduate of the University of San Diego Law School. He is an active member of the community and bicycled from Cape Cod (MA) to San Diego in 1976 to raise money for the Heart Fund. He is currently employed as the Vice President of Legal, Collections and Special Operations for Automotive Finance Corporation in Indianapolis, IN. He and his wife, Wendy Gottesman Cohen ’74, have two sons: Daniel, a first-year student at Cornell University, and Andrew, a ninth grader. Peter Eleftherakis '75, former teammate and recently appointed a Clark University Trustee in 2001 presented Cohen.
Patricia DeCaire was a three-year standout on the Clark basketball team and captained the squad her senior year. She was also a major contributor on the field hockey and softball teams for four years. After playing one year at UMass Amherst, DeCaire transferred to Clark and made an immediate impact on the court helping Clark become one of the top 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 dished out 12 assists in the championship game and was named tournament MVP. Though hampered by a knee injury in her senior season, she averaged 7.3 points, 3.5 steals, and tallied 127 assists and helped Clark advance to the MAIAW State Regionals. Over her three-year career, the team posted an impressive 61-16 overall record.
An outstanding athlete, DeCaire was a four-year starter on both the field hockey and softball teams. A leading scorer on the field hockey team, DeCaire was a constant threat around the opponent’s net. She pitched and played centerfield for Clark’s softball team.
While DeCaire finished her undergraduate studies in biology she served as an assistant basketball coach for one year, providing excellent leadership to the team. After graduating from Clark she earned a degree in medical dentistry from Boston University Dental School. DeCaire stayed connected with Clark by serving on the Alumni Committee for eight years and the Hall of Fame Committee for four years. DeCaire owns her own dental practice in Shrewsbury, MA and is married to Joseph Antonellis. Barbara Stevens, Head Women's Basketball Coach (1977- 1983), presented DeCaire.
Ralph Saunders, a prolific scorer, started all four years for Clark’s basketball team and served as a team captain his junior and senior seasons. Upon entering Clark, Saunders received the Whitman scholarship, which was awarded to a basketball player with outstanding ability and to an individual that would make a significant contribution to Clark Athletics. In his rookie season he 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. Saunders had an outstanding sophomore season and became one of the most potent offensive players in the city, averaging 17.4 points per game which was the highest average in the Worcester area. 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 Clark’s first 1,000th point scorer finishing his career with 1,086 points in 68 games.
Saunders graduated magna cum laude receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. After serving in the U.S. Army in Schweinfurt, Germany from 1954-1956, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Clark in 1957.
Saunders stayed active in sports serving as an official for United States Swimming and as an umpire for Shrewsbury Little League. An active member of the community, he directed the Central Massachusetts Council of Campfire. He worked as 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. His children include Pamela Sklut, Deborah Walsh, Christine Besaw, Jennifer Saunders, Heather Saunders, and Matthew Saunders who accepted on his behalf. Saunders was presented by Roy Russell, a family friend.