South Stormont Sports Hall of Fame

Robert (Bob) Clarke grew up and played high school basketball in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. He was recruited by a number of Division 1 schools, and eventually accepted a full scholarship to St. Joseph's University, a NCAA Division 1 school in Philadelphia, where he played from 1957 through 1960.

At St. Joe's, he had the good fortune to play under legendary coach and Hall of Fame member Dr. Jack Ramsay, who went on to coach in the NBA for 20 years.

Bob's years at St. Joseph's were fruitful. The team was ranked in the Top 10 each year he was there. He was named to the NCAA All-Star Team and played in the North/South game in Memphis in 1960. As an eighteen year old, he found himself lined up against a young Wilt Chamberlain in an exhibition game. The Hawks made it to the NCAA Final 8 in 1960, but lost to a West Virginia team that included Jerry West.

That year he was selected in the sixth round of the NBA draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. Instead of pursuing a career in the NBA, he joined the Tuck Tape Company, and played for the Tuck Tapers who were just entering the new American Basketball League. He played for the Tapers for two seasons before ending his professional career.

His job with the Tuck Tape Company brought him to Canada in 1966, and eventually to Long Sault in 1972. His sons Sean and Mike were inducted into the South Stormont Sports Hall of Fame last year.