A school-record 20 Penn Staters will be part of the Olympic Games in Rio, which begin August 5. The school has had its share of success in the Olympics, with representatives capturing 28 medals. Two of them are from diver Mary Ellen Clark, who won a bronze medal in the 10-meter platform at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.
Clark, who graduated from Penn State in 1985, also was voted one of the top 10 women athletes in the country by the United State Olympic Committee in 1996. Now living in Newtown Square, Massachusetts, she talked over the phone about her life and career. Rather than “5 Questions,” here are some memories she shared.
Memories of Her Youth
I remember I was 11 years old watching Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. I’ll never forget it. It was life-changing. … Watching that event and thinking it’s really OK to be an athlete as a woman and as a girl. … When I was 14 years old I was watching the Olympic Games and watching [diver] Jenny Chandler at the 1976 Olympic Games. Ronald O’Brien was her coach and she was his first Olympic medalist. I would be his last medalist. … I used to be in last place at diving meets. I used to be disappointed and bummed. My parents brought it back to what we learn from our own character — we learn about dedication, goal setting, visualization.
Memories of Penn State
It came down to either going to Indiana or Penn State. I flipped a coin — heads Penn State, tails Indiana. I flipped the coin high in the air, and it was tails. I said, ‘Best out of three.’ I knew in my heart of hearts that I am a Penn Stater. That’s where I wanted to go. I would have a great education, be surrounded by amazing teammates, and it would be my home for the next four years. … I remember sitting in the class, “History of the Olympic Games,” by John Lucas. He started the class quietly handing out the syllabus, and he painted the picture of Athens. You felt like you were in Athens. … I went to nationals every year, but I never won nationals. One year, [diving coach] Bob Goldberg asked me to try platform diving. I said, “I like my limbs attached!” I had no interest in climbing 33 feet and hitting the water at 32 miles per hour. But he saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Thank God for him being persistent.
Memories of the 1992 Olympics
At the Olympic trials, I had a lead going into finals. I was leading by two points before the last dive. … I did the dive. I get out of the water and the crowd was erupting. I made the Olympics — and the day happened to be Father’s Day. I was so elated. … I was about to go to the Games and my brother called and said our dad had a heart issue and needed surgery. I called my dad, and he said, “I’m fine. Just need my pipes cleaned. I’ll see you in Barcelona.” He made it through the surgery, but he couldn’t go to the Games. … Before the finals, a woman handed me a piece of paper that I thought was some trash. It was an invitation to Penn State alumni event, and it had a personal note from John Lucas. He wrote, “I know you’re about to compete, but hope you can show up. It’s going to be a ball.” So regardless of how I do, I’m going to a Penn State party! That’s how I felt. I won the bronze. I dedicated the medal to my father.
Memories of the 1996 Olympics
I had vertigo for a year, so I was out of competing with that. It was the hardest part of my career. I went back to the trials after a year off, and I made it. … I was in ninth place going into the finals. I climbed all the way back into third place. Right before my last dive, I received a standing ovation in Atlanta. I could have done a cannonball and I would still feel the love and support and respect — I’ll never forget that feeling. I knew that this was it for me. I made the dive and waited for nine other divers, and I ended up with another bronze medal. It was a storybook career!
Thoughts about Penn State
I’ve always been happy to come back. I will stop my car and run over to stop somebody if they’re wearing a Penn State hat. My blood is blue and white. … My heart lies at Penn State.
