D3 Day

DAve Clark…

…is an author, speaker, motivational coach to professional athletes, and inspiration behind Disability Dream & Do (D3). Dave is an owner, manager and player unlike any other in the field. He brings out the best in D3 Day participants, corporate leaders & elite professional athletes. As a former pro athlete and childhood polio survivor, he knows how to inspire anyone to overcome obstacles and not only play big, but dream big — on and off the field. Dave is the only known professional league pitcher of his kind in history.

He has participated at every level of the game of baseball, including Envoy Coach of Major League International. Pitching professionally from his crutches is just part of his amazing story.

In his playing days, Dave was considered one of the top five pitchers of all time for the famous Indianapolis Clowns by long-time team owner, George Long. That puts Dave in pretty good company considering Hall of Famer Satchel Paige and Bobo Small had pitched for the Clowns. After his time as an active player and top relief pitcher for the Clowns, Dave went on to become the team’s owner, taking control of the last professional barnstorming team in America.

Dave has worked with and inspired many professional and amateur teams, including Team USA and the Atlanta Olympics, the Atlanta Braves, Ft. Myers Miracle (Minnesota Twins A), Rochester Red Wings (Twins AAA), Binghamton Mets (NY Mets AA), Nashville Sounds (Oakland A’s AAA) and Elmira Jackals (ECHL Hockey). Dave has worked for six Major League teams as a professional scout: The Yankees, Braves, Orioles, Marlins, Padres and White Sox.

Dave was an All-Star pitcher in the Swedish Elite Baseball League, where he later managed, taking a team from worst to first, and winning three major league championships. He received the National Giant Steps Award for his coaching, and was honored at the White House by President Bill Clinton. Dave won the National Heroes of Sports Award in 1999, and the Bo Jackson Courage Award in 2011. Dave was recently featured as the keynote speaker at a TedX Conference, and has spoken before the U.S. Sports Conference, National Baseball Hall of fame, Corning Inc. and Siemens Energy to name a few.

Dave is the active founder of the non-profit Dave Clark Foundation which serves to inspire people from all walks of life to overcome personal challenges and perceived limitations in order to lead satisfying and productive lives. Dave encourages people with his quote “Whatever you choose in life, give it all you got. No dream is ever impossible.”

Dave now lives in Cape Coral, FL with his wife Camilla, daughter Eva, and son Trey.