ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Jen Clark has been named as the next Head Coach of the Bard College Women's Soccer Program as announced on Friday by Director of Athletics and Recreation Stefanie Carrington. Clark will start on June 16.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Jen to lead our women's soccer program. Her extensive experience at institutions similar to ours has prepared her exceptionally well for this opportunity," said Carrington. "Just as importantly, her commitment to building meaningful connections, fostering a strong sense of community, and supporting the holistic development of student-athletes aligns seamlessly with our department's values and the culture of our campus."
"I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Athletic Director Stefanie Carrington and the entire search committee for entrusting me with the future of the Bard Women's Soccer program," said Clark. "Everyone I met on campus was incredibly warm and engaging, and I am thrilled to work at an institution where community is so deeply valued. We have an energized group of student-athletes ready to build, and I look forward to hitting the ground running to cultivate a culture of joy and excellence both on the field and in the classroom."
Her coaching experience includes head and assistant coaching positions at California Institute of Technology, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, Christopher Newport University, Middlebury College, Castleton University, Colby College, Dartmouth College, Stanford University, and College of William & Mary.
She has most recently served as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges since 2023, after leaving her role as Head Women's Soccer Coach at Caltech. At Caltech, she helped guide the program to the most successful season in school history. Under her leadership, the team more than doubled its conference point total. She earned SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2022.
While serving as the head coach for Christopher Newport University (Newport News, Va.), she turned a Division III program with a .313 win percentage before her arrival into a .781 juggernaut with national prominence. She similarly led a previously sub-.500 team to a conference championship and their first-ever trip to the NCAA Playoffs in her first of two tours of duty at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
At Middlebury College, she was an assistant and helped guide the program to several of the most successful seasons in school history, including an NCAA Final Four appearance. She also coached at Colby College, Dartmouth College, Stanford University, and William & Mary.
Clark earned her bachelor's degree in geography from Dartmouth University as well as a master's degree in Athletic Leadership from Castleton University (Castleton, Vt.). During her tenure with Castleton, she was named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now known as United Soccer Coaches).
Clark earned a USSF "A" License, USSF "B" and "C" Licenses, an Advanced National Diploma from the NSCAA, and goalkeeper certifications from the Scottish Football Association. She is also certified in mindfulness practices, strength and conditioning, CPR and First Aid, nutrition and healthy living, suicide prevention, and bystander intervention training.
Throughout her career, Clark has been recognized for her coaching excellence and leadership, earning multiple SCIAC Coach of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year honors, the NSCAA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year award, and induction into the William & Mary Hall of Fame.