By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.

By Paul McNeeley

Sports Information Intern

For Harvard two-sport standout Daphne Clark, many things in life are eminently demanding. The senior anthropology major plays on the Crimson field hockey team in the fall and on the lacrosse team in the spring, while maintaining a strenuous course load. Factor in exam weeks, weight training, off-season conditioning, physical therapy, an attempt at a social life, and about a half-dozen equally important things, and it becomes difficult to figure out why anyone would choose to go through college in this way.

Yet, to Clark, explaining why she puts herself through this arduous schedule is the simplest part of her complex life: it's all she's ever seen, and it's the only way she's ever known.

When Clark was growing up about 30 miles north of Harvard in South Hamilton, Mass., sports were a natural part of life for the entire family. Clark's mother, Carroll, was a field hockey and lacrosse coach at the local elementary school. The early influence she had on her daughter is obvious: Clark began playing both field hockey and lacrosse when she was still in kindergarten. Clark's father, Robert, who graduated from Harvard in 1966 and was captain of the ice hockey team, also impressed his love of sports on all four of his children.

Daphne, the youngest child, went through her formative years watching all her older siblings play sports and, as malleable younger brothers and sisters often do, she followed suit. Whether by example or by good, old-fashioned backyard training, Clark picked up from all of them the skills, passion, and dedication it takes to compete successfully.

"We used to play sports all the time," remembers Clark, now a mature, outgoing 22-year-old. She pauses, basking in the images running through her head. "They were all such a big influence on me. Playing sports was definitely a big bonding thing for us."

Clark's oldest brother, Rufus, was the first to follow his father's path to Harvard, where he played on the lacrosse team before graduating in 1986. Next was David, who played ice hockey at Harvard and was a member of the 1989 national championship squad his senior year. Not to be outdone, sister Ceci Clark won a national title with the Crimson women's lacrosse team in 1990. A year later, she was named a First Team All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse and the National Defensive Player of the Year in lacrosse. As Harvard field hockey head coach Sue Caples attests, "Genetics have definitely been working in Daphne's favor."

At St. Paul's School, Clark combined her innate physical abilities with an impeccable work ethic that allowed her to start on the varsity team for four years each in field hockey, lacrosse, and ice hockey. After earning numerous accolades culminating with All-American in lacrosse her senior year, it was not a tough decision for her to come to Harvard.

Now, Clark is starting for the fourth consecutive year on the Crimson field hockey team and will do the same for lacrosse in the spring. Not surprisingly, the list of collegiate accomplishments the two-sport captain has compiled is in accordance with family tradition. Last season, she was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team in both field hockey and lacrosse while also being named a Boston Four All-Star in field hockey. While mostly playing in the back for field hockey, Clark's blistering shot off penalty corners has allowed her to lead the Crimson in scoring the past two seasons. At the end of last season, however, Clark was moved to the sweeper position, which is the last back in the line of defense before the goalie. While remaining offensive-minded, Clark is now also responsible for giving out marking assignments to all her teammates, and sweeping up behind them if they get in trouble. "She's our lock on the door," says Caples. "She orchestrates our team out there. While we still need her to generate our offense, the fact that she's both tactically steady and such a great communicator makes her a perfect fit for the sweeper position."

As for Clark's thoughts on the matter, she simply approaches this challenge like any other she has faced -- with composure and confidence.

"I had never actually played sweeper before but I have played a lot of defense in both field hockey and lacrosse, so it's not a completely new concept to me," says Clark. "I learned a lot at the end of last season about how to read the game from Jessica [Milhollin '96, Harvard's all-time career saves leader]. And now, with each game, Anya [Cowan '00, this year's Crimson goalie] and I are working a little better together. It's just a learning process."

More importantly than where she is playing, says Clark, is how her two teams play as a whole this season. The one thing missing from Clark's extensive athletic resume is an Ivy League title, and she would like nothing more in her final year at Harvard than to leave with two of them.

"Winning an Ivy crown would mean a lot to me," explains Clark. "For the Harvard women's lacrosse program, the tradition has been to win the Ivy title. Harvard won seven straight just before I got here [1987 to 1993, in addition to 12 of the last 13] and I think it would be nice to be a part of that great tradition.

"As for field hockey, it's more important for us to concentrate on just having a more successful season this year," continues Clark. "In recent years, we've had the potential but just haven't realized it and lived up to it."

In a personal quest, Clark will be playing to live up to something much closer to her heart. Sarah Devens, Clark's best friend and teammate since kindergarten and throughout their illustrious days at St. Paul's, passed away in the summer of 1995. Devens, who was an All-Ivy First Team selection in both 1993 and 1994 as a forward on the Dartmouth field hockey team, is in Clark's thoughts every time she takes the field. Clark pays respect to Devens by continuing the tradition the two began at St. Paul's of wearing a red bandanna on her head during every field hockey game. Although Devens' bandanna has become too worn to wear, Clark wears her own and places Devens' in her sock or somewhere on her body as a constant reminder to take each game and, more importantly, each day, one at a time.

"I have to admit, sometimes all the pressure and the practicing year-round catches up with me and I get tired," says Clark. "But I'm just the type of person who needs constant activity and action all the time or I get bored. Playing two sports has kept me focused, and I think some of the same mentality I have in playing sports carries over into other parts of my life. When the team wins a big game, it makes it all worthwhile."

This story is adapted from one published in Harvard Football News on Oct. 5.