Casey Clarke
1985
Casey Clarke, one of the original coaches in the history of the National Wheelchair Athletic Association (NWAA), was celebrated for his skillful coaching, organizational leadership, and unwavering dedication to the growth of wheelchair sports during its formative years.
Casey served as Head Coach of the U.S. Wheelchair Team at the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, and later led Team USA in international competition at the Stoke Mandeville Games in England.
That same year, under his direction, the University of Illinois Gizz Kids entered their first national competition. Coach Casey guided the team to a stunning victory, defeating the Bulova Team, which had been seeking its fourth consecutive national title, to claim the National Championship.
A visionary in adaptive sports, Casey was instrumental in developing some of the most talented athletes of the early wheelchair sports movement. His influence helped establish a foundation of excellence and professionalism that shaped the NWAA for generations to come. His enduring legacy was the demonstration that athletes with disabilities could achieve elite levels of performance through quality coaching and training.
After his years in wheelchair sports, Casey advanced to the United States Olympic Committee, where he served as Deputy Secretary General under his formal name, Dr. Kenneth S. Clarke. Despite his success on the international sports stage, he never forgot his beginnings at the University of Illinois, nor the athletes who taught him as much as he taught them.
Casey Clarke molded champions—not only through competition but through the example he set. His pioneering work defined a standard of excellence and leadership that continues to inspire coaches and athletes to this day.