Rickey Clark
Class of 2014
Robert Dudley Clark Jr. grew up in Hazel Green, but few people ever called him by that name. To family and friends he was simply “Rickey,” a nickname given by his mother, Evelyn Quick Clark, who thought her son resembled “Little Ricky” from the television show I Love Lucy. The name stuck—and so did his reputation as one of the finest basketball players ever to come from northern Madison County.
Clark first gained attention at Hazel Green High School under coach Jerry Dugan. As a junior, despite standing only 5-foot-11, he was already jumping center for the Trojans and starting alongside an otherwise all-senior lineup. By his senior season he had grown to 6-foot-3 and developed into a dominant inside presence, combining scoring ability with strong rebounding.
During the 1966-67 season, Clark averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds per game while leading Hazel Green to the Class 2A state championship. The Trojans’ historic run culminated in a dramatic 61-59 victory over Curry in the title game at Tuscaloosa. Clark remembered the final moments clearly: with the score tied and the clock winding down, teammate Stanley Stafford launched a jump shot from the corner. Clark had positioned himself under the basket for a rebound, but the shot swished cleanly through the net to seal the championship.
That season Clark earned All-State honors, was named MVP of the county tournament, received honorable mention All-America recognition, and represented the area in the state postseason All-Star game. Decades later, his impact remained evident when he was selected to The Huntsville Times All-Decade Team for the 1960s.
Clark continued his athletic career at David Lipscomb College in Nashville, lettering four years in basketball and serving as team co-captain his junior and senior seasons. He was named team MVP as a junior and also lettered two years in tennis. One memorable game saw him score 28 points against Athens College while making 19 of 20 free throws, setting a school record.
After earning his political science degree from Lipscomb and a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State, Clark built a successful professional career and later returned to Madison County, where he now resides in retirement.
Disclaimer: This biographical feature was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence and is based on materials provided by the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and related sources. While care was taken to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult official Hall of Fame records and other primary sources for verification.
