Alden Clark- 1924
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988
Alden Richardson Clark, born and educated in Fredericton, New Brunswick, was a tremendously gifted and versatile athlete who starred at Acadia in English rugby, hockey, basketball and track and field during the 1920-24 era.
Alden began his contribution to the sports life at Acadia during the fall of 1920, being an” instrumental figure on the rugby squad. In an early-season 3-0 triumph over the mighty Halifax Wanderers, he tossed a pass to Walter Johnson, who scored the game’s lone tally. In a subsequent contest against UNB, in Fredericton, he scored the winning try. As a team, the Valley collegians won the coveted Western League Championship and later played the City League Champs, Dalhousie, to a scoreless draw. As a team captain of the team in his graduating year, he inspired the Valleyites to a near-upset of the powerful UNB aggregation.
On the basketball squad he sparkled as well, combining with the likes of Sidney Chipman and otto Noble to defeat UNB and Mt. Allison during the ’23-’24 season to win the western section of the Maritime Intercollegiate championship.
On the ice lanes he was equally effective being a high scoring rearguard in an era that stressed defensive play. During the spring of 1924, as he and his teammates battled St.F.X. in a Maritime Intercollegiate championship game, Alden –who scored the game’s initial goal –was a standout despite Acadia’s dropping a 6-2 decision.
During the fall of ’23, the Fredericton flash was a member of the senior’s team that won the hotly-contested Bulmer race.
Following graduation from Acadia in 1924 and in subsequent years Alden also made a tremendous contribution to sports in his native province and in 1978 was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.
What a privilege it is to welcome for induction to Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame, Mr. Alden Clark.
