Joe Clarke
Encyclopedia
Joe “Joey” Clarke is a former U.S. soccer defender
who currently coaches collegiate soccer at Washington University in St. Louis
. Clarke spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League
and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League
. He has coached men’s collegiate soccer since 1981.
and began playing soccer as a youth at St. Thomas Moore Elementary School. He attended McBride High School, but when the school closed between his junior and senior year, he moved to Normandy Senior High School, graduating in 1972.http://record.wustl.edu/archive/2001/11-30-01/people.html Following his graduation from high school, Clarke entered St. Louis University where he played on the Billiken’s soccer team from 1972 to 1975. At the time, St. Louis was the dominant college soccer team. The Billikens won the 1972 and 1973 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
, falling to Howard University
in the 1974 final. In 1975, Clarke’s senior season, he earned third team All American recognition. He graduated with a bachelors degree in marketing in 1976. In 2009 Clarke was named as a defender to the St Louis University Half Century team.
(NASL) drafted Clarke. While he signed with them, he continued to work on his degree during the first part of the 1976 season. Even after graduating, Clarke continued with his education while playing for the Stars, enrolling in St. Louis University’s law school. In 1977, the Stars were sold to new ownership and moved to Anaheim where the team became known as the California Surf
. When the Surf folded after the 1981 season, the team sold Clarke’s contract to the St. Louis Steamers
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL). The Steamers Coach, Al Trost, released him before the end of the 1981-1982 season. Following his release by the Steamers, he joined the semi-pro St. Louis Kutis S.C.
in 1982 and played with them until 1986. In 1986, Kutis won the U.S. Open Cup championship.
, where he meet and married his first wife Susan. They had 2 children, Joey, Jr. and Kelley, both of whom played soccer at Parkway Central High in Chesterfield MO. He is currently married to Cindy Jensen, Joe and Cindy raised Eric and Dayna as well as Kelley and Joey. When the Steamers released him, Clarke decided to retire from playing professionally and pursue a legal career. While interviewing with law firms in St. Louis, Clarke heard about the retirement of Harry Keough
, head soccer coach at St. Louis University. Despite his lack of coaching experience, the university hired Clarke in 1982. During his fourteen seasons coaching the Billikens, Clarke compiled a 205-74-30 record, taking the team to the NCAA tournament twelve times.
On May 9, 1997, Clarke moved to Division III >Washington University in St. Louis
, replacing Ty Keough
, Harry Keough’s son.http://record.wustl.edu/archive/1997/06-12-97/7600.html He remains head coach at Washington University.
Clarke was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who currently coaches collegiate soccer at Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
. Clarke spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. He has coached men’s collegiate soccer since 1981.
Youth and college
Clarke grew up in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and began playing soccer as a youth at St. Thomas Moore Elementary School. He attended McBride High School, but when the school closed between his junior and senior year, he moved to Normandy Senior High School, graduating in 1972.http://record.wustl.edu/archive/2001/11-30-01/people.html Following his graduation from high school, Clarke entered St. Louis University where he played on the Billiken’s soccer team from 1972 to 1975. At the time, St. Louis was the dominant college soccer team. The Billikens won the 1972 and 1973 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
, falling to Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in the 1974 final. In 1975, Clarke’s senior season, he earned third team All American recognition. He graduated with a bachelors degree in marketing in 1976. In 2009 Clarke was named as a defender to the St Louis University Half Century team.
Professional
In 1976, the St. Louis Stars of the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) drafted Clarke. While he signed with them, he continued to work on his degree during the first part of the 1976 season. Even after graduating, Clarke continued with his education while playing for the Stars, enrolling in St. Louis University’s law school. In 1977, the Stars were sold to new ownership and moved to Anaheim where the team became known as the California Surf
California Surf
The California Surf were a soccer club based in Anaheim, California who played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1981. Their home field was Anaheim Stadium.They originally were the St. Louis Stars...
. When the Surf folded after the 1981 season, the team sold Clarke’s contract to the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL). The Steamers Coach, Al Trost, released him before the end of the 1981-1982 season. Following his release by the Steamers, he joined the semi-pro St. Louis Kutis S.C.
St. Louis Kutis S.C.
St. Louis Kutis Soccer Club, better known as St. Louis Kutis, is an amateur American soccer club in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1947 as the St. Louis Raiders, the club was known as Paul Schulte during the 1948-49 season and McMahon's during the 1949-50 season. In 1953, the team was renamed...
in 1982 and played with them until 1986. In 1986, Kutis won the U.S. Open Cup championship.
Coach
When the Stars moved to California, Clarke was in the middle of earning his law degree. However, he completed his degree after transferring to Pepperdine UniversityPepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
, where he meet and married his first wife Susan. They had 2 children, Joey, Jr. and Kelley, both of whom played soccer at Parkway Central High in Chesterfield MO. He is currently married to Cindy Jensen, Joe and Cindy raised Eric and Dayna as well as Kelley and Joey. When the Steamers released him, Clarke decided to retire from playing professionally and pursue a legal career. While interviewing with law firms in St. Louis, Clarke heard about the retirement of Harry Keough
Harry Keough
Harry Joseph Keough is a former American soccer defender who played on the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his club career in his native St. Louis, winning a national junior championship, two U.S. Open Cup and seven National...
, head soccer coach at St. Louis University. Despite his lack of coaching experience, the university hired Clarke in 1982. During his fourteen seasons coaching the Billikens, Clarke compiled a 205-74-30 record, taking the team to the NCAA tournament twelve times.
On May 9, 1997, Clarke moved to Division III >Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
, replacing Ty Keough
Ty Keough
William “Ty” Keough is a former U.S. soccer player and coach who has served as a soccer broadcaster for several networks. He earned seven caps with the U.S. national team in 1979 and 1980. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic soccer team which qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics. However, he...
, Harry Keough’s son.http://record.wustl.edu/archive/1997/06-12-97/7600.html He remains head coach at Washington University.
Clarke was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.