Clark Leads Bobcats on Senior Day
11/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Beau Clark will take a walk today. It's a stroll he's made dozens, if not hundreds, of times before, but it will be like none he has ever made before, or ever will again.
It's Senior Day at Bobcat Stadium, and Montana State's senior defensive tackle from Belgrade is living his dream.
"I always dreamed of playing for the 'Cats," says Clark, who did so even in the late '80s and '90s when that wasn't a very stylish ambition. In recent years, Clark has even sported a nearly-ancient 1984 National Championship t-shirt, and a dropping mustache reminiscent of some of those worn by members of that great MSU team.
But, as Beau Clark always does, he quickly cuts through sentiment and sediment and gets to the heart of things. "We'll all be feeling emotions (today), but this day isn't about honoring seniors. It's about winning a football game."
So Clark and his mates will set upon a task that seven days ago this morning seemed quite likely, and which in the past six-and-a-half days has seemed nearly impossible to many -- beating the red-hot Eastern Washington Eagles and setting up a Big Sky Championship showdown with the Grizzlies in Missoula next week.
"We know it's a huge game," Clark said, not wasting words and leaving no doubt as to his and his teammates' mission. "We need to play our best."
Clark has been doing that for years. He came to MSU as an unheralded prospect, largely because his father, Mike, challenged Bobcat coach Mike Kramer. "I've done some dumb things," said Kramer, finding his way to the essence of recruiting, "but signing Beau was a very, very smart thing."
Clark has repaid Kramer's loyalty with tenacious play, outstanding leadership, and the kind of spirit that transcends athletics, transcends even the University.
"Beau will always be a Bobcat," Kramer said. "And he will be the kind of Bobcat that will always be involved with our program. He will hold people accountable for performance and for ethics and for staying true to this program's mission. Beau Clark is a special, special player."
And on this day, the senior from Belgrade, who grew up in listening to Bobcat games on tractors while taking breaks from working on his family farm, and who grew up watching his idols from this stadium's bleachers, will make a special, special walk.
It's Senior Day at Bobcat Stadium, and Montana State's senior defensive tackle from Belgrade is living his dream.
"I always dreamed of playing for the 'Cats," says Clark, who did so even in the late '80s and '90s when that wasn't a very stylish ambition. In recent years, Clark has even sported a nearly-ancient 1984 National Championship t-shirt, and a dropping mustache reminiscent of some of those worn by members of that great MSU team.
But, as Beau Clark always does, he quickly cuts through sentiment and sediment and gets to the heart of things. "We'll all be feeling emotions (today), but this day isn't about honoring seniors. It's about winning a football game."
So Clark and his mates will set upon a task that seven days ago this morning seemed quite likely, and which in the past six-and-a-half days has seemed nearly impossible to many -- beating the red-hot Eastern Washington Eagles and setting up a Big Sky Championship showdown with the Grizzlies in Missoula next week.
"We know it's a huge game," Clark said, not wasting words and leaving no doubt as to his and his teammates' mission. "We need to play our best."
Clark has been doing that for years. He came to MSU as an unheralded prospect, largely because his father, Mike, challenged Bobcat coach Mike Kramer. "I've done some dumb things," said Kramer, finding his way to the essence of recruiting, "but signing Beau was a very, very smart thing."
Clark has repaid Kramer's loyalty with tenacious play, outstanding leadership, and the kind of spirit that transcends athletics, transcends even the University.
"Beau will always be a Bobcat," Kramer said. "And he will be the kind of Bobcat that will always be involved with our program. He will hold people accountable for performance and for ethics and for staying true to this program's mission. Beau Clark is a special, special player."
And on this day, the senior from Belgrade, who grew up in listening to Bobcat games on tractors while taking breaks from working on his family farm, and who grew up watching his idols from this stadium's bleachers, will make a special, special walk.
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