SUNDAY SPORTS BRUNCH Rhodes lacrosse senior brings home national award
Fully appreciating the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award is easier when one understands the One Love Foundation mission statement: "The YRL recognizes the accomplishments of six student-athletes who help their teams achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. This honor places value on kindness and generosity — characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse."
Fully understanding why Rhodes College women's lacrosse coach Meghan Keelan found it easy to nominate Katie Clark for the award was based on her overall appreciation of the recent graduate.
“When I read the description of the award, my mind immediately went to Katie,” Keelan said. “Every characteristic mentioned she brought to life in our program each day. What stood out the most to me was Katie's genuine concern for others — from her ‘Mary Poppins bag' filled with anything her teammates could ever need, to countless hours spent being there for anyone who needed an ally — Katie always showed up.”
In a matter of two months, Clark went from a women's Division III finalist to the 2020 winner of the award, dedicated to the memory of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend on May 3, 2010, three weeks before she was to graduate.
“I was just really in awe about what the foundation is doing,” said Clark, 22. “Educating people about healthy relationships and kind of the warning signs about how to avoid just toxic treatment — and that's in friendships and families; relationships in general.”
The interview process even connected Clark with a few of Love's cousins.
“They asked me a couple of questions about service, and I was just going on about Memphis,” Clark said. “Memphis is such a service-minded city. When I got the call, I was just over the moon. I've never won anything this big. In all honesty, I'm still kind of in shock about it, just because I'm not with my team to celebrate — it's been quite surreal.” The New Jersey native had her senior year shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. Still, it was a student-athlete experience that came with few regrets.
“I walked on the lacrosse team; wasn't recruited or anything,” she said, “so in my lacrosse career, I never expected to become captain or even play my freshman year. So, to be graduating with this honor is really, really a careertime high for me.”
Clark graduated magna cum laude, majoring in history. She was elected into Phi Beta Kappa this past semester. She was also one of seven students inducted into the Rhodes Hall of Fame.
“Katie is one of a kind. I feel so blessed to know such a special person,” said Keelan. “I can confidently say that although her name may not be etched throughout the record books, Katie's loyalty, dedication and impact on our program will not be soon forgotten.”
The Lynx came into the 2020 season with three straight Southern Athletic Association championships. They'd won six of nine games before COVID-19 cancelled the remainder of all NCAA sports.
“Just thankful to be a part of a strong-willed group of girls, whether it was in the classroom or supporting their friends in the locker room or on the field,” Clark said. “They're just determined women who want to get it done.”
In addition to awarding recipients with a commemorative bowl, the One Love Foundation will be making a donation to the charity of each winner's choice.
“For me, it felt really appropriate to look into cancer research, so I made the donation to the Foundation for Women's Cancer,” Clark said. “I'm really excited that's something that One Love does. I think it speaks to what they are all about — kind of carrying it forward.”
Tiger Tracks
A pair of University of Memphis track and field stars have been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Men's Track and Field Academic All-district III first team. Adam Neelly and Jordan Wesner are now under consideration for the COSIDA All-america team. The accomplishment gives the Tigers multiple selections for the third consecutive year. Neelly specializes in the shot put and discus, while Wesner is the Memphis record-holder in the indoor and outdoor high jump.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com