M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

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.”

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.

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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