Joe Clarke has continued Washington University's tradition as a soccer power, having led the Bears to a 127-62-22 (.654) record in 11 seasons. Clarke, the head coach at Saint Louis University for 14 years, was named Washington U.'s sixth men's soccer coach in May 1997.

Washington University's 2007 men's soccer campaign was the most successful of Clarke's 11 seasons on the Danforth Campus. The Bears won 16 games and advanced to the NCAA Sectional Finals for the first time since 1995. The 16 victories are the most under Clarke and the squad's highest win total since that 1995 season. In addition to piloting the Bears to their most successful season in 12 years, Clarke was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame on Sept. 13.

Washington U. qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2006 for the 17th time in school history, but the first since 1999. WU finished the season with a 12-4-2 overall record; the Red and Green rallied from an 0-2 start in conference play to finish 4-2-1 for second place in the UAA.

Over his 24-year career, Clarke has led his teams to 10-plus wins 22 times. Since he came to the Danforth Campus, the Bears have made five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Clarke wasted little time building on Washington U.'s storied soccer tradition. He quickly fused his team into a formidable unit that advanced to the NCAA regional final – falling to eventual national champion Wheaton College. The Bears finished his first year with a 14-6 ledger.

In 1998, Clarke guided Washington U. back to the NCAA Tournament with an 11-7-2 record. In 1999, the Bears captured their first UAA crown under Clarke and advanced to the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. In 2000, Clarke led the Bears to an 11-7 record and a third-place finish in the UAA, and in 2001, Clarke guided the Bears to an 11-4-2 overall record.

During his 14-year tenure (1983-96) with the Billikens, Clarke produced a 205-74-30 record for a .712 winning percentage. Only two of his 14 clubs failed to make the NCAA Tournament. His 1991 squad finished 20-2-2 and made the NCAA Final Four, losing to eventual champion Virginia. It was the Billikens' first appearance in the national semifinals since 1974, when Clarke was a junior on the Billiken soccer team.

Clarke coached several All-Americans at Saint Louis, including 1995 Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year, Matt McKeon. He was named either a conference or region coach of the year three times with the Billikens. In his last six years with the Billikens, Clarke guided SLU to four league championships, including three in the Great Midwest Conference and one in Conference-USA.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Clarke grew up playing in the youth soccer leagues of St. Louis. He graduated to the playing fields of McBride and Normandy high schools before enrolling at Saint Louis University in 1972, where he graduated with a degree in marketing in 1976.

With the Billikens, Clarke helped Saint Louis U. capture NCAA national championships in 1972 and 1973. A defender, he earned All-America honors in 1975.

Clarke's playing and academic careers were far from over after his collegiate days at Saint Louis. He went on to play for the St. Louis Stars and California Surf of the now-defunct NASL. Clarke earned his law degree at Pepperdine University while with the Surf.

A seven-year professional career would come full circle when Clarke returned home to play for the St. Louis Steamers. Following his final pro season with the Steamers in 1982, Clarke was given the opportunity to coach at his alma mater following the retirement of hall-of-famer Harry Keough after the 1982 season.

Quick Facts About Clarke

Years at WU: 11 (127-62-22, .654)

Previous coaching experience:
Guided Division I power Saint Louis to 200-plus wins in 14 seasons. In 1991, the Billikens made their first national semifinal appearance since 1974. He won four conference titles (out of a possible six) and made 12 NCAA appearances at SLU.

Playing career:
After a stellar St. Louis prep career, Clarke played defender for coach Harry Keough and helped the Billikens win NCAA national championships in 1972 and 1973. In 1974, the Bills reached the title game, but fell to Howard 2-1 in overtime. As a senior, Clarke earned All-America honors. Following his collegiate career, he played professionally for seven years with the St. Louis Stars and California Surf of the now-defunct NASL, and the St. Louis Steamers.

Education:
McBride High School, St. Louis (1972); bachelor's degree in marketing from Saint Louis University (1976); and a juris doctorate degree from Pepperdine University (1982).

Family:
Married to Cindy Clarke. The couple have four children: Kelley (24), Joe Jr. (20), Eric (19), and Dayna (14).

Year-By-Year with Clarke (1983-2006)