Member Biography

The story of Earl "Dutch" Clark is a story of mystery and intrigue. Born in Fowler, Colorado, in 1906, Clark became a four-sport star at Pueblo Central High School and caught the recruiting eye of the University of Michigan. Enemy scouts from Northwestern "kidnapped" Clark on his way to Ann Arbor and he wound up in Evanston. However, the Wildcat recruiters were disappointed. Homesickness sent "Dutch" packing back to his home state and enrollment at Colorado College. He would become the state's first All-American and Hall of Famer. A triple threat quarterback, Clark scored in every game but one during his three varsity seasons, finishing with a career total of 105 points. He was equally outstanding in basketball, earning All-American honors in that sport in 1926. Clark later played professional football for the Portsmouth, Ohio team and the Detroit Lions, garnering All- Pro laurels in six of his eight seasons. Three times he led the National Football League in scoring. Following his playing career, "Dutch" coached the Lions, Cleveland Rams and Los Angeles Dons before becoming the head coach and athletic director at the University of Detroit.