Opening Avenues of Success – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 5, 2005
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Education plays a key role in a community’s development and for Rod and Casey Clark of Dublin, Ohio, their ability to bolster the Columbus community through their time and philanthropic endeavors bring gratification to their lives.
The Clarks’ philanthropic support aids the educational activities of inspired minds. As supporters of the Homeless Families Foundation, as well as The Ohio State University, the couple enjoys partnering with the university to assist Columbus’ homeless and also to support OSU student-athletes.
“We give to the community because of the joy and satisfaction of giving something back to something you love,” Rod said.
“When you are blessed you should give back,” Casey added.
The Clarks’ connection to Ohio State began early and remains a significant part of their lives. Both were born and raised in Columbus and attended the university. Rod graduated from Ohio State in 1968 with a degree in ceramic engineering. Casey began at Ohio State but transferred to Azusa Pacific University, where she earned her degree in marketing. Casey points to her husband’s education as the backbone of their ability to contribute to the community, including her involvement with the Homeless Families Foundation and the Rod and Casey Clark Athletic Scholarship for Ohio State football.
Before retiring in 1997, Rod began his professional career as a research engineer at Battelle, a global science and technology enterprise, in Columbus, Ohio. After nine years, he joined Allied Mineral Products, Inc. and became the vice president of marketing and sales, where he worked 25 years. He later assumed the risk management function before entering early retirement at age 54.
“Rod received a great education from Ohio State and then went on to apply himself,” Casey said. “Education is really important.”
In the community, Casey is an active board member for the Homeless Families Foundation where she has been a volunteer for the past 15 years. Casey is dedicated to opening avenues of opportunity to Columbus’ homeless children through the educational programs of The Homeless Families Foundation.
For the past three years, Casey has been spearheading the fundraising efforts to raise the $1.5 million needed to renovate The Dowd Center, the education center located in The Homeless Families Foundation. The Dowd Center is committed to attending to the academic, social and physical needs of Columbus’ homeless and at-risk children.
The Clarks combine their passions to cultivate a stronger community through The Homeless Families Foundation and Ohio State athletics through their favorite philanthropies. For The Homeless Families Foundation’s “Come Home for the Holidays” fundraising event, Jim Tressel, Ohio State’s football coach, donated a lunch with him at The Buckeye Hall of Fame. Tressel’s wife, Ellen, donated a golf-outing for three to play with her at The Ohio State University Golf Course. Archie Griffin donated an autographed football jersey for the auction.
Ohio State extends support of The Homeless Families Foundation beyond auction gifts. John Hollins, a former Ohio State football player, and Marcus Green, a current senior and defensive tackle, visited children at the shelter recently. Casey said the student-athletes are role models to the children and inspire the impressionable youths to be confident.
“It’s wonderful the way Ohio State athletics supports its community,” Casey said.
The Clarks agree the student-athletes are fantastic individuals and think the confidence they display is wonderful. They enjoy watching them succeed. As part of the Clark’s community support they created an endowed scholarship for football. Three Ohio State student-athletes have received the Rod and Casey Clark Athletic Scholarship. Rodney Bailey (1997-2000) and Dustin Fox (2001-04) are former recipients. Brian Hartline, a freshman from North Canton, Ohio, is the current recipient. The Clarks enjoy the personal connection they form with recipients of the scholarship because it personalizes the game. The Clarks still love to follow the professional careers of Bailey and Fox in the NFL because their success demonstrates that the endowed scholarship they created has shaped the lives of talented student-athletes.
“Rod and Casey have been wonderful supports of the Ohio State athletic program throughout the years,” Dennis Hoobler, assistant athletic director for development at Ohio State, said. “The relationship between the student-athletes and the supporters is beneficial to both. The department hopes to continue receiving the generous support from the Clarks.”
The Clarks’ support of Ohio State athletics is not solely reserved for football because both are tremendous sports enthusiasts and also attend Ohio State basketball, ice hockey and baseball games. Buckeye pride follows the Clarks home in the form of autographed Ohio State jerseys, footballs and photos that hang on the walls of their house. It helps them enjoy Buckeye tradition at home when the team is on the road. Both agree there is a lot of joy in supporting the traditions of Ohio State athletics.
“I have been a fan of Ohio State since childhood,” Rod said.
As stalwart Buckeye fans, they enjoy supporting the Buckeyes because it is something they love. Returning to campus on a football Saturday, tailgating at French Field House and listening to “The Best Damn Band in the Land” perform before kickoff are just a few reasons the Clarks extend their generosity through the endowed scholarship.
“Every time the Ohio State band walks through the tunnel onto the field, Rod points to his arm to show me his goose bumps,” Casey said.
“I get triple-goose bumps – I get goose bumps, on top of goose bumps, on top of goose bumps,” Rod added.
Continuing Buckeye traditions and maximizing opportunities afforded to Columbus’ homeless encompass much of Rod and Casey Clark’s life. The couple believes it is all-important to give people a chance to succeed. The connection between their love of Ohio State athletics and Casey’s dedication to The Homeless Families Foundation creates avenues for both Ohio State student-athletes and Columbus’ homeless.
Rod and Casey Clark happily support their community through philanthropic contributions to generate educational opportunities and ignite future minds.
