Terry Clarke

Terry Clarke graduated from Taylorville High School in 1976 where his passion for wrestling and football began. Terry was a 3 year letter winner and team captain in both sports. He continued his wrestling career at Elmhurst College, before beginning his teaching and coaching experience at Elmhurst York High School in Elmhurst in 1980. In that same year, Terry founded the Elmhurst Jr. Dukes Wrestling Club. Throughout 

Clarke’s career, he has been involved with the Illinois Wrestling Federation and Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation which led to his school hosting 19 combined tournaments. As an assistant wrestling coach from 1980 to 1989, he helped inspire 4 all-state wrestlers and 6 state qualifiers. During his years as an assistant coach, Clarke was nominated for assistant coach of the year in 1988. As a varsity football assistant, his teams have won 14 conference championships, made 18 state playoff appearances, 1 quarter final and 2 semi-final appearances.

Terry Clarke became the head wrestling coach in 1990 at York High School and just completed his 22nd year in that capacity. His teams have 419 dual meet victories. Clarke’s coaching career includes two individual state runner ups, 6 other all-state place winners, 31 state final qualifiers and 2 scholastic wrestlers of the year. His teams have won 3 West Suburban Silver Conference Titles, 8 regional Championships and finished 2nd twice in the IHSA Sectionals. Coach Clarke’s teams have also won 34 tournament championships. He has served as an IHSA Regional Wrestling Representative for 18 years. In addition, Clarke was one of the founding members of the West Suburban Wrestling League. He has twice been nominated for Coach of the Year. Terry was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame in 1910. He has been department chair of the Physical Education, Health and Driver’s Education Department for 12 years. During his time at York High School he has also coached women’s track and field and boys baseball.