Temple University Athletics
Former Men's Basketball Standout Chris Clark Named Assistant Coach At Saint Francis (Pa.)
7.1.09 | Men's Basketball
July 1, 2009
LORETTO, PA - Former Temple University point guard Chris Clark has joined the Saint Francis University men's basketball coaching staff, SFU head coach Don Friday announced on Wednesday. Clark, who is believed to be the only person to ever play under three legendary Philadelphia coaches - John Chaney, Fran Dunphy and Speedy Morris. has already begun his coaching duties, and will be heavily involved in the development of the Red Flash guards.
"We are extremely excited to announce Chris Clark joining our family here at Saint Francis," Friday said. "Chris will be taking the position of assistant coach Abe Badmus, who left our program to pursue other career goals. I can't say enough about the impact Abe has left on our players as a coach and as a great human being. We will miss Abe here in Red Flash country. I am really looking forward to Chris Clark working here in our program. Chris has been blessed to be around some great basketball minds as a player. He comes from a lineage of coach Speedy Morris at St. Joseph's Prep, retired Hall of Fame coach John Chaney at Temple, and now current head coach Fran Dunphy at Temple.
"The thing that came to the forefront as we got to know Chris more and more was that we are getting a tremendous person, and a young man who is extremely hungry to be in the coaching profession. In my conversations with coach Dunphy, he pointed to Chris' leadership and actions as being important to the resurgence of the Temple basketball program. As we try to grow our program, I know that Chris' previous experience will be important in our rebuilding process."
Clark, a product of head coach Speedy Morris out of Saint Joseph's Preparatory High School in Philadelphia, recently earned his bachelors of science from Temple's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. He helped Saint Joseph's Prep win three Southern Division Titles and two Catholic League championships, serving as team captain for two years.
He then played under Hall of Famer John Chaney during the 2004-05 season, and concluded his college basketball career as a team captain on the Owls' 2008 Atlantic 10 Championship squad under coach Dunphy. He was named the Big 5's Most Improved Player that season in helping Temple advance to the NCAA Tournament. Clark averaged 7.5 ppg, and had 59 assists and 24 steals as a senior. He was second on the team with 57 three-pointers, and led the team with 41.6 percent accuracy on 137 three-point attempts.
Clark has been extremely active in the community. He has been a Big Brother Program volunteer, a Reading for Children volunteer, and has done community service at the Carousel House in Philadelphia. Additionally, Clark has volunteered with Midtown Parish United Methodist Church, Temple Rollin Owls Basketball League, and Cherry Hill's Martin Luther King Day. He has also worked as a counselor for summer basketball camps with coach Dunphy, Temple women's basketball coach Dawn Staley and the Speedy Morris Basketball Camp.
