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NCAA grants Clark sixth yearApr 01, 2012 (The Hawk Eye - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- MACOMB, Ill. -- Ceola Clark got the phone call he's been waiting for since the end of the basketball season. Actually, there were two calls, both giving the Western Illinois University senior guard the same news. The NCAA granted Clark's request for a sixth year of eligibility next season, giving him another chance to play for his teammates and making the Leathernecks one of the favorites to contend for the Summit League title. "I was very excited when I heard the news," Clark said Saturday. "I've been waiting around for the call for the last couple of weeks. I'm glad it's over." Advertisement Clark, a second-team all-conference pick and the Summit League's defensive player of the year this season, missed his entire first year and all but seven games last season because of injuries. Clark and the university petitioned the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility late in this season. "We're thrilled," said Western Illinois coach Jim Molinari. "I've always thought he's one of the most complete guards in college basketball. If you lose a player like that, you're losing more than just a point guard, because of all the things he can do. You don't just replace a player like that." Clark said he was nervous waiting for the NCAA to decide. "I wasn't sure if I would get to play, or if I would have to go overseas somewhere to play," he said. "It's been a little stressful sitting and waiting. Now I'm glad that I know." Molinari said he was confidence the NCAA would rule in Clark's favor. "The NCAA is very wise, very realistic," Molinari said. "If you have two years of injuries, you should get an additional year. And Ceola's had two season-ending injuries." Clark got the news on Friday in separate calls from Molinari and associate head coach Billy Wright. The calls touched off a celebration at Clark's apartment. "(Teammates) Billy Molinari and Jack Houpt were here when they called, and they got pretty excited," Clark said. "They went a little overboard." Clark said he also talked to teammates Obi Emegano and Terell Parks. "They were pretty happy, too," he said. Their reaction is understandable, considering what Clark meant to the Leathernecks this season. He was the team's leading scorer, averaging 13.3 points per game, and led the team with 151 assists, 50 steals and 86 3-pointers. He was also third on the team in rebounding. With Clark's return, the Leathernecks bring back 84.3 percent of points scored, 80.8 percent of assists, 86.9 percent of rebounds and 91.4 percent of 3-point field goals made from this season's team that went 18-15 overall, 9-9 in the Summit League. Western Illinois reached the conference tournament championship game, falling to South Dakota State 52-50 in overtime. The Leathernecks played in the College Basketball Invitational, the school's first appearance in an NCAA Division I tournament, falling to Oregon State 80-59 in the first round. The Leathernecks lose just two key players from this year's team -- senior guard Tommie Tyler and center David Gebru. Western Illinois brings back four starters -- Clark, Parks, Houpt and Emegano. Parks was an honorable-mention all-conference selection, and joined Emegano on the conference's all-newcomer team. Clark said he has taken some time away from the court since the season ended. "I've watched a lot of basketball, a lot of NBA and the NCAA tournament," he said. "I just needed to get some rest. It was a long season, played a lot of minutes, so I wanted to take some time off." Knowing how close the Leathernecks came to making it to the NCAA tournament -- the winner of the Summit League tournament gets an automatic bid into the 68-team field -- has provided plenty of motivation for Clark and his teammates. "It made me more hungry," Clark said. "I know how close we came to making it, and everyone else does, too. Watching the tournament, we know what we need to work on as a team. I know I want to keep working, keep getting better, because I've got another season." ___ (c)2012 The Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa) Visit The Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa) at www.thehawkeye.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |