July 10, 2007

DAYTON, OH - Cara Clark, a Clarke College graduate and the former head softball coach who led the Crusader's to a first-ever NCAA tournament berth and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, has been named the new head coach for the University of Dayton's softball program, announced Senior Women's Administrator Dawn Mamula on Monday.

"I am excited for Cara Clark to lead the Flyer Softball program," said Mamula. "She brings a level of intensity and competitiveness that will add to her success as a head softball coach."

In her six years at CC, Clark has been instrumental in the program's success. In addition to leading the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2003 and 2004, since her arrival the Crusader's have had five consecutive 20-plus win seasons and four out of the six years the team was ranked in the top 25 nationally in GPA by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

In 2003, the Crusaders made a first-ever NCAA tournament berth, claimed the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Championship and won a school record 27 games.

Under her reign, the Crusader's have produced 28 All Conference honorees, six NFCA All Region honorees, and one Conference Player of the Year.

Clark was a 2007 NCAA Association of Division III Independents Coach of the Year runner-up and was named the NIIC Conference's Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2004.

In addition to her coaching responsibilities at Clarke, she was also the Mental Health Counselor and served as the Senior Women's Administrator.

"I am thrilled to be joining UD," said Clark. "There has been a strong commitment to the ongoing growth of the programs within the athletics department and I look forward in continuing to build a successful Flyer softball program."

She began her softball coaching career at Dubuque Senior High School in `98 as the freshman coach. She then moved on to Marion High School in '99 as assistant varsity and head junior varsity softball coach.

A 1999 graduate of Clarke College, Cara Clark earned her degree in psychology and was a student-athlete standout in softball as a two-time first-team Northern Illinois - Iowa Conference Selection. In addition, she earned MVP honors and served as team captain for the Crusaders.

In 2002, she earned her masters of education in counseling from Western Illinois University.