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Loni Clark Selected as Earlham College Volleyball Coach
Release courtesy of Earlham College
RICHMOND, IN — Former Earlham College
volleyball player and track star Loni Clark is returning to her
alma mater.
Earlham Director of Athletics Frank Carr announced on Thursday
that Clark would become the next head volleyball coach for the
Quakers, after a national search that had over 50 applicants.
"I'm extremely pleased that Loni Clark has accepted our offer to
become our head volleyball coach," Carr said. "She has an excellent
knowledge of the game and has refined her leadership skills as an
assistant coach at Manchester College and coaching club ball."
"She has been a successful recruiter and I believe is the right
person to lead our program at this time," Carr added. "Loni has a
deep appreciation of Earlham. Her knowledge of Earlham will allow
her to hit the ground running as she begins the process of putting
her thumbprint on the program."
Since graduating from Earlham in 2006 with a degree in Classical
Studies along with a minor in Mathematics, Clark has served as an
assistant coach at Manchester as well a club coach in Fort
Wayne.
"I am very excited," Clark said. "It's going to be a little rough
getting the program where it needs to be."
Clark was impressed with the attitude of the players.
"Their hearts are in the right place," she said. "They know where
we need to be and they want it."
A Hagerstown High School graduate and native of Greens Fork, Ind.,
Clark lettered four-years in volleyball and track at Earlham. She
will also serve as an assistant coach for Earlham's track
teams.
"Loni is one of the best two-sport athletes we've had at Earlham,"
Carr said. "I believe she will be a positive addition to our track
and field coaching staff."
As senior at Earlham, Clark received the George Van Dyke
Outstanding Athlete Award. In track, Clark was the North Coast
Athletic Conference Field Event Most Valuable Performer in 2005.
She was the NCAC Champ in the discus in 2005 and the javelin in
2006. She also still holds the Earlham records in the discus,
javelin, hammer and weight throw.
Clark begins her duties on June 1.
"It's going to be weird to be in the office as a coach," Clark
said. "I'm ready to take the plunge and hopefully, do some really
good things."
