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A Family
Affair
by Amber M.B.Clark
At
the Citadel they are known as “knobs; ” at West Point
they are “plebes” and at the Virginia Military Institute
they are “rats.” These are the names given to cadets during
their freshman year at three of the most prestigious military academies
in the country. “Rats” at VMI face many of the same challenges
that normal freshman encounter; however, their unique circumstances
present them with a myriad of additional problems. Together the
“rats” unite and help each other through the challenges
of their freshman year and refer to their comrades as “brother
rats.”
Stillman
(4) makes another play (Photo credit: Maj. Chuck Steenburgh)
The Clark brothers
– Ezra, Dallas, Jordan, Stillman
and Lincoln – have given new meaning to the term “brother
rat” at the Virginia Military Institute.
Jordan
began a legacy when he headed east from Richardson, Texas, to Lexington,
Va., in 1994 to attend VMI on a football scholarship. “I just
figured I’d come out, play a little ball, get a degree and
go back home,” Jordan said. “I didn’t think anybody
would follow me.”
Jordan played
defensive end for the Keydets from 1994-1998 and was followed by
four of his brothers, including Stillman, who started the 2001 season
at free safety.
Beyond the
Skyline
Stillman is a graduate of Skyline High School in Salt Lake City,
Utah, where, as a senior, he quarterbacked the Eagles to the 1997
state 5-A title. He has three high school state championship rings
(1995, 1996 and 1997) and was named All-State, All-Region and Team
Offensive MVP at Skyline in 1997.
At 6 feet 2
inches and 200 pounds, Stillman headed for VMI on a football scholarship
in 1998. His athletic accomplishments have shined in spite of the
team’s 5-39 record from 1998-2001.
VMI head coach
Cal McCombs has had great confidence in Stillman over the past four
seasons. “Stillman is not the fastest kid in the world, but
he’s very athletic,” said McCombs. “Stillman is a
smart football player who doesn’t get out of position a lot.
He’s a good tackler. He’s a guy who has started here ever
since he was a freshman.”
Stillman played
in six games as a freshman in 1998 before a rib injury limited his
playing time. He returned as a sophomore in 1999 to start nine games
and finished third on the team in tackles (89). He shifted between
strong safety and free safety during his collegiate career, but,
for two games in 1999, revisited his high school position, playing
quarterback as a result of excessive team injuries.
As an emergency
starter at quarterback, he rushed for 148 yards in a game against
Appalachian State, whose defense ranked amongst the stingiest in
Division I-AA at the time.
Stillman was
a second team All-Southern Conference selection at defensive back
as a sophomore and tied for second on the team in tackles (69) as
a junior. He was one of three VMI football players named to the
All-Southern Conference pre-season football squads in 2001, having
been selected first team defense as a defensive back. Stillman had
three career interceptions while at VMI and was one of three team
captains his senior year.
Behind the
Scenes
Behind the personal accomplishments, awards and recognition,
Stillman acknowledges the moments shared with his brothers as the
most valuable while at VMI. “To start my first college game
as a freshman and have my older brother by my side is a moment I
will never forget,” said Stillman.
Stillman is
the last of the Clark brothers that will play football at VMI. Lincoln,
currently a junior, holds one of the top leadership positions in
the corps of cadets and plans to commission in the United States
Army.
Go East,
Young Fellers!
So, how did these five brothers end up at VMI? The chain reaction
of matriculation began in 1992, when Jordan was a sophomore at Richardson
(Texas) High School. Coach Bill Stewart was recruiting for the Air
Force Academy when Jordan caught his eye. He was playing fullback
and defensive end for the varsity team, a rarity in Class 5-A, Texas’
largest high school athletic division. As he left to go back to
Air Force, Stewart told Jordan he’d be back for him. Two years
later, in spite of Jordan’s severe ankle injury, Stewart kept
his word. By then he was recruiting for VMI.
After seeing
some playing time as a freshman at VMI, Jordan tore the anterior
cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Keydets’ 1995
spring scrimmage. He red-shirted the 1995 season and made a successful
return to the Keydet line-up in 1996 and went on to earn VMI’s
defensive most valuable player award.
The other Clark
boys decided to serve their missions before attending college –
Ezra to Mexico City and Dallas to Rio de Janeiro – but joined
their brothers at VMI in 1995.
A Blessing
in Disguise
Jordan’s injury in 1995 proved to be a blessing as he returned
for a fifth season and was a team captain, enabling him to attend
VMI simultaneously with Ezra, Dallas and Stillman. Dallas and Ezra
served as football team managers to be close to, and support, their
younger brothers.
Though football
was Stillman’s passion, it was not his only focus while a cadet
at VMI. Stillman was elected class historian in 1998 and served
in that capacity until 2001 when he resigned to became a prosecutor
for the honor court during the 2001-2002 academic year.
Stillman
at VMI commencement (Photo credit: Pat Costa)
Prelude to
a Call
Stillman graduated from VMI on May 16, 2002, receiving a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Economics and Business. He ended his cadetship
by being inducted into the Kappa Alpha Order following graduation.
While at VMI, Stillman was a member of the Buena Vista College Second
Ward and was involved in the Institute program.
Like his older
brother Jordan, Stillman opted to finish his undergraduate degree
before pursuing a mission. “Although it was a difficult decision
to attend VMI,” said Stillman, “the opportunity to be
here with my brothers was an experience I am glad I did not pass
up.”
With graduation
behind him, Stillman will enter the Missionary Training Center on
August 21, 2002, where he will prepare to serve the people of the
Arizona Tucson Mission.
Jordan (Class
of ’98), Dallas (’99), Ezra (’99), Stillman (’02)
and Lincoln (’04) are five of 14 children – eight girls
and six boys – that make up the immediate family of Max
and Donna Clark of Salt Lake City, Utah.
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© 2002Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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