Gainesville, FL

Shanice Clark played for the Saints from 2011-2013 and went on to play at the California University of Pennsylvania.  Shanice had an excitement for life that was hard to miss when she walked into the room.  She and Lydia Cuff were recruited by then Coach Chanda Stebbins all the way from Toronto, Canada.  Both found their voice at Santa Fe and joined with other teammates who had a great experience during their time as Saints.

The 2013 graduating class of sophomores had eight upper division signees including Clark, Cuff (who went to the University of the Cumberlands), Monique Bunk (Morehead State), Taybreanna Couch (Morehead State), Kaitlynn Pacholke (Newberry College), Tiara Thompson (Georgia Southwestern University), Lonna Turner (Augusta University), and Paulina Zaveckaite (University of North Florida). The Saints finished 2012-13 with a 17-13 record and earned a regional tournament bid for the 6^th time in the prior seven seasons. 

Clark would go on to play at California University of Pennsylvania and in January of her senior season she sadly passed away. The Vulcans, heartbroken, continued to play the rest of the season as a tribute to her and go on to win the National Championship in 2015.  Her Saints teammates remember her fondly and often speak of her infectious smile and the way she lit up a room. Lydia Cuff along with her travel ball coach, Cleveland Clunis, Shanice's Family, and former Saints have dedicated a Legacy 44 scholarship in her name at Santa Fe. When asked her legacy, Clark was described as "A light—not just in my life, but in the lives of so many others" by former teammate Lydia Cuff. "I only wish more people had the chance to experience that light for themselves. That's why it means so much to us to carry her legacy forward in any way we can."

The former teammates and Clark's family came to Gainesville this past weekend to celebrate Shanice and her legacy.  The Legacy 44 group inspired by Lydia Cuff, Cassie Brown, and Christian McCater (long time tutor and support coach for the Saints) worked with former coach and now Athletic Director Chanda Stebbins to establish three meaningful ways to reflect on Shanice Clark's memory. The Saints have received donations in her honor that will contribute to a scholarship awarded in her name each semester to the women's basketball player that most embodies her demeanor.  Also, the SF Athletic Department will rename their Sunshine Award at the annual Player's Choice Awards after Clark, and the Shanice Clark Award will be presented in April each year to the student-athlete who demonstrates an excitement for their day to day to activities like she did.  Finally, the Saints Women's basketball team will hold a special meeting each semester to remind the current team of the Legacy that #44 left with her teammates and coaches at Santa Fe.

To donate to that legacy please go here: Shanice Clark 44 Legacy