For the love of the game, military: Soldier finds time for both

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Michael Noggle | Clark has a discussion with one of his partners, Gene Steratore, after calling a technical foul during a game at the Atlantic 10 Tournament in March 2005.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

09.06.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Spc. Michael R. Noggle
CFLCC PAO/11th PAD

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT- When Col. Kenneth Clark, Coalition Forces Land Component Command C-1 (Forward)/ director of personnel and human resources, faced the decision to choose between his love for basketball and his love for the Army, the answer was easy -- he opted for both.

Now Clark devotes his time and services to the war in Iraq and officiating for the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

From his childhood days to his time spent as a first lieutenant at Fort Hood, Texas, Clark was always involved in some type of sport competition, especially on the hardwood in the gym.

At the post-level leagues at Hood, Clark was at the top of his game. He won the post championship in 1984 and again in "85, while being named the best player on his team. However, as he gained rank, Clark said he knew that committing to a team and his job would be difficult.

One day he was in the gym, Clark said a colonel and sergeant major saw him playing with his team.

"They told us we couldn't be out here playing ball with the Soldiers all the time because the more senior I became in rank the harder it would be to come out here all the time," he said. So they mentioned the idea of becoming a referee and making a little extra money as well. Clark was enticed.

"I went to the clinics and the camps that summer," he said. "I would ref the younger kids games â?¦ as well as the summer league games. I didn't know what I was doing, but I became interested."

In 1986, Clark went to Korea and officiated the post-level games and belonged to the Department of Defense High School Association. It was then that Clark was recognized for his talent by Leslie Speight, a former college basketball and football official who is now with the National Football League.

"Les was very encouraging about my going to the NCAA basketball camps, but I was stalling because I was happy doing high school," Clark said. "It took some time; but one day in 1989, I told him I would do it. When I got there, I didn't realize what I had been missing."

Out of the 67 participants, Clark rated number one overall. He received his first college conference assignment with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1989.

In 1992, after bouncing around with a few minor college conferences, Clark attended the Division-1, Atlantic-10 Conference referee tryouts supervised by Mickey Crowley, Atlantic-10 officials" supervisor.

"Mickey pulled me off to the side during the try-out sessions and told me I didn't have a lot of years or experience but wanted to give me an opportunity," Clark said. "At this point he was a little hesitant because I hadn't had the college experience except for working for the smaller conferences, and I was still a junior referee and still doing high school. But he made the decision and put me on the court."

After the camp was completed, Clark was a certified referee in the Atlantic-10. His first major basketball game was an exhibition game with Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., versus an international team from Lithuania.

"As a junior referee they give you the exhibition games because if you blow it then no one is going to care," Clark said. "Mickey came to the game and saw me at the end. He said, "You'll be hearing from me again," and he ended up giving me more games that season. After that I started moving up."

Clark started getting recognition from other major conferences such as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Big East, Ivy League and Patriot League. He officiated Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Ron Artest as well as other current National Basketball Association players.

"I never believed my career would take off the way it has," Clark said. "It became difficult year after year as I moved up to major conferences and had to travel more. It took time away from other things I wanted to do in life because for the five-month season you are focused on basketball, but if you loved the game like I did, it wasn't a problem."

Clark explained to his supervisors that the Army's mission always came first, but they understood and coordinated his leave dates and training schedule around the basketball season.

"There have been times I went overseas and had to skip the season," Clark added. "But every year I came back, the league put me back on the officiating rosters; and every time I called and told them I had to cancel a game they understood."

Once he returns from this deployment next spring, Clark plans to spend time with his family and friends during the summer and then get ready 2006-07 season.

"I tell everyone today not to let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish anything you want to do in life," Clark explained. "I realize the Army is my career . . . , but I love basketball."

• Date Taken: 09.06.2005
• Date Posted: 09.06.2005 12:31
• Story ID: 2898
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW