Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark has had quite a week.

On Thursday, the Crew goalie celebrated his 30 thbirthday.

On Saturday, he made his 74th consecutive start for the Crew and made a pair of key saves in the final minutes to preserve a 3-2 win over New York City and earn his 30th career victory.

Tonight, Clark will...

Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark has had quite a week.

On Thursday, the Crew goalie celebrated his 30 th birthday.

On Saturday, he made his 74th consecutive start for the Crew and made a pair of key saves in the final minutes to preserve a 3-2 win over New York City and earn his 30th career victory.

Tonight, Clark will take center stage at the beautiful Fox Theatre in Detroit to be inducted into the Oakland University Athletics Hall of Honor.

Clark will be inducted into the Michigan school's hall along with professional distance runner Brittni Hutton and PGA Tour pro Brian Stuard.

"When you get an award like that, you realize how much people have given you in your career," Clark said. "Coaches, family, friends – I'm just grateful for the lessons that have been taught to me.

"I still feel like the same kid that I was when I was a redshirt freshman walk-on. I still have that same energy and love of the game. Soccer has given me a lot, so I'm very grateful."

Clark, a native of Mason, Mich., still keeps close ties to Oakland, a suburban Detroit school where he arrived as a redshirt freshman in 2004 and graduated with a degree in history in 2008.

Clark played four seasons for the Grizzlies and was a two-time Summit League goalie of the year, helping Oakland to two NCAA Tournament appearances. He remains close friends with Oakland coach Eric Pogue.

But Clark also left a non-soccer legacy on campus. He was elected Oakland's student-body president in 2008 and laid the groundwork for a campus bus system and a disc golf course, things the school had previously lacked.

"I did really enjoy being the student-body president," Clark said. "I had to leave early to turn pro, but I had a staff of seven or eight people and a huge budget to balance. That senior year, it was a very focused time for me. I was writing a history thesis and playing (soccer) too. But it was a great time. Oakland University is a great place. It offered me a lot of opportunities."

Clark's term was cut short when he left for a pro career, but he has fond memories of his campaign.

"I needed the Greek vote and the athlete vote, and I got it," he said.

His public service continues. Clark has become involved with Columbus-based Restored Citizens and Communities for Change, a nonprofit that works to end mass incarceration and promote restorative policies in the criminal justice system.

Clark also volunteers as a Hospice patient companion.

"I work hard at soccer, but I still have energy left over," he said. "I have a lot more to give."

--Shawn Mitchell

smitchell@dispatch.com

@smitchcd