Joe Clarke Selected to SLU Men's Soccer Half-Century Team

SLU RELEASE

St. Louis, Mo., October 1, 2009 – Washington University in St. Louis head men’s soccer coach Joe Clarke has been named to the Saint Louis University men’s soccer Billiken Half-Century Team, it was announced Wednesday by the Saint Louis University Department of Athletics.

A four-year letterwinner as a defensemen at Saint Louis University, Clarke was a member of SLU’s 1972 and 1973 NCAA Division I national championships teams. In 1974, Clarke helped lead the Billikens back to the NCAA championship game, where they fell to Howard University, 2-1, and he earned All-America accolades for the first time in his career.

Clarke went on to play professional soccer for seven seasons in the North American Soccer League (NASL), suiting up for the St. Louis Stars and the California Surf. In 1983 he delved into the realm of coaching, taking over as the head coach at his alma mater and replacing legendary head coach Harry Keough. The winningest coach in SLU history with a record of 213-50-23 over 16 seasons, Keough was honored as one of two coaches selected to the Billiken Half-Century Team.

Spending 14 seasons on the sidelines at Saint Louis University, Clarke guided the Billikens to 12 NCAA tournament berths, including 10-straight appearances from 1986-1995. He made a trip to the NCAA Final Four in 1992, posting a final record of 20-2-2. Clarke took over the reigns at Washington University beginning with the 1997 season, where he has compiled a record of 144-68-26 (.660) over 13 seasons.

Saint Louis University will honor the 24-man Half-Century Team during halftime of its game with Clemson University on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. The squad is made up of two coaches, two goalkeepers, eight defensemen and 12 offensive players.

Clarke will be unable to attend the SLU Half-Century Team celebration, as he will be in Atlanta, Ga., for Washington University’s conference opener against Emory University.