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Drew University Athletics

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Kirby Clark

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Kirby Clark

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Sport: Field Hockey / Women's Tennis
Year: Junior (C'16)
Position: Forward
Hometown/High School: Arlington, Va./Washington-Lee

Major: Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Why did you choose Drew University?
I chose Drew because of the athletic and academic opportunities. Drew is an exceptional place to study science and there are a lot of really great professors. I also really like that it is a bit more suburban than home, but isn't far from the city.

Why did you choose your major and what is your favorite course?
I chose Environmental Studies and Sustainability because of its relevance to society. The field is constantly growing and changing because there is new research constantly being published. It really is the future of our society.

What is your most memorable moment as a Ranger?
I think beating Catholic in 2013 and becoming nationally ranked was one of my favorite moments. It gave our team a lot of recognition and was really exciting. A win against Catholic is always memorable.

How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?
I am definitely more focused and organized about getting work done and planning ahead to stay on top of all of my classes. I'd be lost if I didn't have athletics because I would procrastinate way too much.

What is the most difficult part of your sport?
I think this is true for any sport, but I think the most difficult aspect is to constantly stay motivated. There are always ups and downs in sports both on and off the field and it really is crucial to be able to stay on top of your morale and stay motivated to be both mentally and physically fit in order to perform well in competitions.

Why do you wear your jersey number?
I wore 16 for part of high school. It's not overly special to me, but someone already had the number I actually wanted.

What advice do you have for a prospective Drew University student-athlete?
My best advice is to value your participation in athletics, but also to engage in other activities on campus. The Drew community is diverse and there are a lot of opportunities available to students that can really enhance your college experience and can be done in addition to athletics.

Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Drew?
Community service is important because it allows us to connect with the local and national communities on a personal level doing something we are passionate about. I have always felt that community service as a team can be a great way to represent Drew athletics in a positive way and also strengthen our bond as a team outside of practice and competition.

Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome...
I've dealt with a lot of injuries that were fairly difficult. It's all about looking ahead to playing again and not focusing on what you can do on that particular day.

Rapid Fire:
Color? Pink
Food? Chocolate
Restaurant? The Liberty Tavern, which is in my hometown, Arlington, Virginia
Movie? The Holiday
TV Show? Modern Family
Musical Artist? Ellie Goulding
Pro Team? Nationals
Hobbies? Cooking and Baking, Painting
Most Prized Possession? I don't have something tangible, but
definitely time - it's something I don't have nearly enough of
Biggest Fear? Not being able to accomplish everything I set out to
accomplish in life