Jack Clark (rugby)
Encyclopedia
Jack Clark is an American former rugby union player and the current head rugby coach at the University of California
, where he became the sixth head coach in team history in 1984.
Coach Clark took the helm after a football and rugby career at Cal that was followed by post-collegiate rugby campaigns on the USA National Team, with which he made two international appearances as a lock and earned a spot on the World XV team that was invited to play the Welsh National Team
during its centennial celebration in Cardiff
, Wales, in 1980.
As head coach of the Golden Bears, Clark took his team back to the top of collegiate rugby as USA Rugby champion in 1985 after a one-year hiatus. The Bears were once again crowned national champions in 1985 and '86.
The Bears' success under Clark has included 21 national titles (including 12 in a row from 1991-2002 and five straight from 2004-2008), a combined record of 33-1 against rugby powerhouses Army, Navy and Air Force; 11 of the last 14 "World Cup" series vs. University of British Columbia
; a domestic winning streak of 98 games from 1990-96 and a 70-game tear that lasted until 2003; a winning streak over U.S. collegiate competition that lasted 115 matches between April 2004 and May 2009; and a current winning streak of 41 matches* dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season, which ended with a perfect 26-0 record and the team 25th all-time national championship.
Clark has also served as head coach for the Collegiate All-America team, from 1985-92; head coach of the USA National Team, from 1993-99; and general manager for the national team, from 1993-2003. As the national team coach, Clark's USA Eagles did not qualify for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
but did qualify for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
, although the U.S. did not win any matches.
In the midst of his 28th season as Cal head coach in 2011, Clark is the winningest coach in the school's rugby history with a 511-68-5 (.875) record.*
(* As of Feb 23, 2011)
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, where he became the sixth head coach in team history in 1984.
Coach Clark took the helm after a football and rugby career at Cal that was followed by post-collegiate rugby campaigns on the USA National Team, with which he made two international appearances as a lock and earned a spot on the World XV team that was invited to play the Welsh National Team
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
during its centennial celebration in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales, in 1980.
As head coach of the Golden Bears, Clark took his team back to the top of collegiate rugby as USA Rugby champion in 1985 after a one-year hiatus. The Bears were once again crowned national champions in 1985 and '86.
The Bears' success under Clark has included 21 national titles (including 12 in a row from 1991-2002 and five straight from 2004-2008), a combined record of 33-1 against rugby powerhouses Army, Navy and Air Force; 11 of the last 14 "World Cup" series vs. University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
; a domestic winning streak of 98 games from 1990-96 and a 70-game tear that lasted until 2003; a winning streak over U.S. collegiate competition that lasted 115 matches between April 2004 and May 2009; and a current winning streak of 41 matches* dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season, which ended with a perfect 26-0 record and the team 25th all-time national championship.
Clark has also served as head coach for the Collegiate All-America team, from 1985-92; head coach of the USA National Team, from 1993-99; and general manager for the national team, from 1993-2003. As the national team coach, Clark's USA Eagles did not qualify for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
but did qualify for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
, although the U.S. did not win any matches.
In the midst of his 28th season as Cal head coach in 2011, Clark is the winningest coach in the school's rugby history with a 511-68-5 (.875) record.*
(* As of Feb 23, 2011)