By Hank Wickley
Sports Writer
The new head coach for the women’s basketball team is a friendly face. Coach Ryan Clark, previous assistant coach for the men’s team, was given the title on March 30.
Coach Clark has been an assistant for the men’s basketball team since 2012, and during that time he has made several improvements to the program. One of these included a 24-7 season in 2014-15, in which the Scots finished sixth in the nation for Division III basketball.
But now things are different. Clark will no longer be second in command.
“It will definitely be different in that now I will be the one making final decisions on just about every aspect of the program,” said Clark.
Under head coach Sam Hargraves in the men’s program, Clark had time to prepare for this new position.
“Coach Hargraves had the trust in me to be a part of a lot of different aspects of the men’s program, so I feel he was very influential in preparing me to run this program,” said Clark.
Becoming a head coach is a special honor, and Clark has big plans for the women’s team.
“I’m eager to get things moving in a positive direction and to build a culture that the Alma College women’s basketball program can be proud of,” said Clark.
“I’ve never coached these young women in a basketball setting, so I don’t really have a good feel as to where the team is at this point,” said Clark.
“What I do expect is this team to play with a high level of intensity and effort and to compete with whoever else walks into the gym,” said Clark.
Having Clark come to the program is nothing short of exciting for the women on the team.
“I honestly could not think of a better person to take over this program than Coach Clark,” said Madison Hill (‘20).
Hill also said that Clark was the women’s team’s strength and conditioning coach for the past year, and has built great relationships with the team already.
“He will push us to be our best every day and I am excited to play for a motivated and well-rounded coach like Clark,” said Hill.
“Having a positive environment and good communication skills between players and coaches is something I hope to see more in the program now,” said Hill. “Coach Clark has full potential to do great things within our program.”
With this new environment around the program, and a new head coach in Ryan Clark, the women’s basketball team hopes to do great things in the future.
