As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

Sam Clarke, a four-year standout for the Prairie Stars from 2015-19, built one of the most accomplished careers in UIS men's tennis history and finished his career as the program's all-time wins leader during the NCAA Division II era with 127 victories. A consistent presence at the top of the lineup, Clarke combined elite singles play, doubles success, and academic excellence to help elevate UIS on the conference and national stage.

Clarke's senior season (2018-19) was historic. He put together a dominant stretch that included winning 15 consecutive singles matches while competing at the No. 1 position, often in decisive fashion. Clarke was named GLVC Player of the Week three times in his senior season alone, pushing his career total to four. Later in the season, UIS broke into the ITA NCAA Division II top-50 rankings as a team, climbing to No. 37 nationally with Clarke leading the way. He finished the year 19-4 in singles, 13-9 in doubles, and won over 75% of his matches as an upperclassmen.

In late March of his senior year, Clarke etched his name permanently into the UIS record books. During a 7-0 victory over Quincy, he secured both a singles and doubles win to become the program's all-time wins leader in the NCAA era. His senior campaign ultimately earned him recognition as UIS Male Athlete of the Year, GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and an Academic All-American. 

Clarke's rise to the top of the program was years in the making. As a junior in 2017-18, he became the first men's tennis player in UIS history to earn GLVC Player of the Week and All-GLVC honors. That season, he posted an 18-8 singles record and went 15-8 in doubles alongside Tommy Martinez, including a 4-1 mark at the No. 1 singles position and a 4-1 record against conference opponents.

As a sophomore (2016-17), Clarke continued to anchor the lineup, finishing with an 11-10 singles record and a 10-9 doubles mark. He excelled at the top of the order with an 8-4 record at No. 1 singles and closed the season undefeated in No. 1 doubles play. His freshman season (2015-16) set the tone for his career, as he led the team with a 22-10 singles record, went a perfect 7-0 in the No. 3 position, and added 19 doubles wins while earning victories over regionally ranked opponents.

Over his career, he also earned four GLVC Academic All-Conference honors, two Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar awards, and the GLVC Council of Presidents' Academic Excellence Award.

Clarke had a record-setting career defined by sustained excellence, firsts for the program, and leadership at the highest level of the lineup. Now a Division II head coach at Lenoir-Rhyne, Clarke continues to make an impact on the sport, carrying forward the standard he helped set during his time as a Prairie Star.

Explore the growing list of NCAA Division II 15 Years Anniversary honorees celebrating the legacy of Prairie Stars Athletics.