Last Updated on November 1, 2017 by cassnetwork
As the girls high school basketball season begins in Cass County for 2017, Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell has named one of the city’s all-time great girls basketball players as his Citizen of the Week.
Linda Clark played for former Logansport Coach Jan Blackburn who remembers her drive to succeed as a player and person. Blackburn recalls Clark as a rebounding force who once cleared 50 caroms in a game, but her sheer determination carried her to greater achievements. Clark drove herself to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Once she arrived, she spent the night in her car before trying out and earning a spot on the women’s basketball team.
She became one of only eight women from Indiana to letter in women’s basketball at the academy. During her three years as a letter winner, Army posted a combined 58-29 record thanks in no small measure to Clark, who eventually ranked 12th all-time in academy rebounding. As the program evolved into a Division II force, Clark played for a team that registered a school record 25-3 mark and was ranked No. 5 nationally, winning the Eastern Conference. Her career marks rank her ninth among school career leaders in rebounding, including the third best rebounding total for any West Point senior with 252. During the 1985-86 season, she also was second in scoring with an average of nearly 10 points a game.
“Linda’s grit and gutsy work at both ends of the floor was forged in Logansport at the Berry Bowl, but became the mettle of what put our nation’s military academy on track to become a Division I women’s program,” Kitchell said. “She’s a testament not only to Jan’s coaching, but to the caliber of players from the North Central Conference.”
Clark, who now resides in California, will receive a $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant and a certificate from the Mayor’s Office.
The Citizen of the Week program recognizes current or former local residents who have made contributions to their field or to the community.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Citizen of the Week is selected and announced by the mayor.