Hall of Fame
Second Base
Two-time All-American
Three-time All-WCC First Team Selection
Ranks in Top Five in Multiple USF Records
USF Career Years: 1995-1997
Birthdate: September 29, 1976
Hometown: Vacaville, CA
High School: Will C. Wood High School
Jermaine “J.C.” Clark was born on September 29, 1976 in Vacaville, CA, and attended his local Will C. Wood High School. Clark was a highly talented four-year honor roll student and four-sport athlete in high school. As a senior in 1994, he was named Athlete of the Year and League Player of the Year. He was also a three-time Honorable Mention All-League in basketball and football, and he ran on the 4x100 relay team. At 5’ 10”, 175 lbs., he played left field and second base. In 1994 while in high school, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 44th Round of the MLB June Amateur Draft, but attended USF instead, and played for the Dons from 1995 to 1997.
Clark entered the USF record books as a freshman when he was one of the first Dons named as a First-Team Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball. By the end of the season, he had broken USF's single-season record with 38 stolen bases, leading the WCC and ranking No. 23 in the nation. He was also among the WCC leaders in batting averages, runs scored, and on-base percentage. Named to the All-WCC First Team, Clark had 19 multiple-hit games, four three-hit games and a single four-hit game.
He enjoyed an even better sophomore year, earning Third Team All-American honors and his second straight First Team All-WCC selection. His batting average improved to a team-leading .375 and he led USF with 69 hits. In addition, he made just one error in 240 chances at shortstop for a .996 fielding percentage, shattering USF's single-season record for infielders.
By the time Clark had completed his junior year as a Don, he was the USF career leader in five different categories: batting average (.361), runs (151), stolen bases (86), assists (433), and double plays (101). Early on, Clark established himself as one of the most exciting and best baseball players in school history.
Clark was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 5th Round of the 1997 MLB Amateur Draft. He made his professional debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2000. He also played for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Oakland Athletics. He retired from baseball in 2006. He coached for the Fresno State Bulldogs, and scouted for the Oakland Athletics and the Colorado Rockies.
