June 6, 2008

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University men's basketball coach Louis Orr has announced the addition of Dave Clarke to his staff. Clarke, the Falcons' new director of operations, already has begun his duties at the University.

Clarke, who replaces Rick Palmer, will handle various administrative tasks for the program. Clarke's duties will include coordinating the team's travel and running the program's summer camps.

"We are excited about the hiring of Dave Clarke," said Orr. "He is a veteran of the Mid-American Conference, he's very knowledgeable and he's an extremely hard worker.

"Dave has a passion for and a love of basketball, and he is eager to grow and to learn. In addition to running our camps and handling travel, he will handle a great deal of administrative work for us. Dave brings a lot to the table, and we are glad to add him to our staff."

Clarke joins the Falcon program after spending two years as the graduate assistant manager at the University of Toledo. In that role, he assisted the men's basketball program with on-floor activities, on-campus recruiting, academic support and videotape exchange. While with the Rockets, Clarke helped the program to a Mid-American Conference regular-season title and a school-record 14 league victories in 2006-07.

"I am very thankful to Coach Orr, and I appreciate him giving me the opportunity to work at Bowling Green," said Clarke. "BGSU has a rich tradition in the MAC, and I look forward to competing for a MAC Championship."

Prior to his time at UT, Clarke gained collegiate coaching experience at a pair of NCAA Division II institutions, both members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He spent the 2005-06 as a full-time assistant coach at Northwood University following a season as a student assistant at his alma mater, Ferris State University.

Clarke's coaching experience also includes a two-year stint (2003-05) as an AAU coach for the Grand Rapids Storm.

As a player, he helped Ferris State win the GLIAC regular-season title as a senior. The next year, as a member of the coaching staff, he helped the Bulldogs capture the GLIAC's North Division crown. Clarke transferred to FSU after playing two seasons at Siena Heights, where the program was ranked No. 2 in the NAIA during his freshman campaign.

A native of Harbor Springs, Mich., Clarke earned his degree in business education from Ferris State in 2005, minoring in physical education.

As mentioned, Clarke replaces Rick Palmer, who took a position in private business in his home state of Michigan.

"We wish Rick Palmer well," said Orr. "He recently got married, and we wish him and his new bride, Megan, the best in their future endeavors."

TRANSACTIONS -
BOWLING GREEN - Named Dave Clarke Director of Men's Basketball Operations