Drew Clark '23 knows a thing or two about second chances.
Before becoming a Lynn University Fighting Knight, Clark, a native of Reno, Nevada, played baseball at Iowa Western Community College and verbally committed to a four-year university in Kentucky, where he would continue to pursue his passion as a pitcher. Clark was dealt an unexpected blow … He partially tore his UCL, an elbow injury that required surgery and rehabilitation. Clark lost his college scholarship offer—and without success in baseball, he began to struggle with mental and physical health and lose sight of his goals.
This wasn't Clark's first battle with mental health. In high school, his parents noticed his struggle and encouraged him to see a counselor. It was then that he learned that most of his issues stemmed from the very thing he loved: baseball.
"When I felt I played poorly, that feeling consumed me. My counselor was helping me out a lot, but when I got to the junior college level, I had to leave him and my family behind," said Clark. "It's a far trek from Nevada to Iowa, so leaving that support system was tough."
After the elbow injury, Clark's family recognized the physical and mental shift in him again and encouraged Clark to speak with his head coach.
"I broke down in his office, and he said he wished he had known what I was going through so he could have helped me sooner," said Clark. "But I was only 20 years old, and I felt embarrassed. I had become good at keeping things bottled up."
Clark found himself seeking professional help again—only this time, he received an official diagnosis.
"I saw counselors, therapists, and doctors who eventually diagnosed me with clinical depression and anxiety, and I felt shame because of that," said Clark. "It made me feel weak and I thought, 'This isn't what a man should be feeling.' Now, I know better than to think that way—but at the time, it haunted me."
A new perspective
Clark's struggle with mental health spiraled and he began self-harming. One day, after attempting to end his life, Clark thankfully woke up and his entire perspective changed …
"When I opened my eyes, I felt I got a second chance. I knew I couldn't waste that," said Clark.
With a new sense of purpose for life and baseball, Clark learned of a facility in Florida that specialized in the rehabilitation he required for his elbow injury. Thanks to the support and benefits at the facility, Clark embraced his mental health struggles and steered them in a positive direction to help others by creating a 365-day mental health journal, Bigger Than the Game.
"I learned that you can self-publish through Amazon and thought, 'Let's see how many people I can reach,'" recalled Clark. "All of my free time went into creating this book. I wanted to find a way to help others avoid feeling how I felt at that dark moment in time, and this felt like the best way to do so."
Bigger Than the Game includes blank pages to write every single day as well as weekly check-ups, monthly check-ups, quotes Clark was given from counselors and therapists as well as inspirational anecdotes shared by his role models.
Becoming a Fighting Knight
One year after Clark published his book, Lynn came into play.
While throwing pitches at the rehabilitation facility, Clark attracted the attention of Lynn baseball. Soon enough, he was given another opportunity: an offer to play at the university. He joined the Fighting Knights baseball team in spring 2022.
"Lynn came through for me at a time that meant more than ever," said Clark. "I'm so grateful to be here, playing baseball and pursuing my passions."
This past summer, Clark launched a clothing brand, Bigger Than the Game, based on his journal.
"It's essentially an athletic apparel brand with positive mental health messaging at its core," said Clark. "When you wear the hats, shirts and sweats, you represent what you believe in."
Clark is busy and focused on fulfilling his career goals at Lynn—but he always makes time for the things that bring him balance and joy. His days off are typically spent playing 18 holes of golf, working out at the gym or enjoying a South Florida beach day.
Still, his passion for sports and psychology comes first. Clark plans to continue playing baseball with aspirations to play professionally. Next year, Clark will pursue a master's in sports psychology and would love to push forward and earn a doctorate to help people in similar positions as he found himself.
Whether working with a team or one-on-one, Clark hopes to travel throughout the U.S. to speak with and support athletes.
"When people have a shoulder to lean on—whether it's a person or a community—it can make a world of difference," said Clark. "We're better when we show up for each other."
It's never too late to get help and support when it's needed the most. Counseling Services at Lynn offer free counseling for enrolled students dealing with personal, social, academic and emotional distress. In addition, they are also able to connect students to community resources when needed.
