Alumnus Assumes New Role at the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games

Pace Clarke, growing up in the tiny town of Tropic, on the periphery of Bryce Canyon National Park, enjoyed the quintessential rural Utah life. He rode horses, went four-wheeling, hiked, fished, swam, shot guns, and worked on the family farm and in its tourist-related businesses.

At Bryce Valley High, he competed in every sport offered and relished history and P.E. classes leading to his 2006 graduation. After working in construction for a spell, serving an LDS mission to Chile and earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUU in 2014, he and his wife Amanda, along with their newborn daughter Rome, returned to Tropic as Pace became the branch manager for State Bank of Southern Utah. It was a position his father, Wes, had earlier held for nearly nine years.

Today, he is the operations and development coordinator for the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, and his background makes him perfect for the post.

“We are thrilled to have Pace on our staff. It’s always a good day when a T-Bird returns to campus and we are excited with the experience and skill set he brings to the Games” says USG Executive Director Casey McClellan of his helpful and friendly new hire.

Pace replaces Steve Ahlgreen, who labored energetically for the Games for 18 years before his retirement this spring and who continues to serve as a volunteer.

While an SUU student, Pace worked on the construction and repair crew for Facilities Management under Ben Johnson, officiated at countless basketball and baseball games, and was an enthusiastic volunteer for the Games, adding to his cachet of know-how and connections that will serve him well in his new job.

“My varied experiences have allowed me to build a strong network that is helping me in my new position,” he says, “and this network has opened a lot of doors that will aid the Games as we go forward.”

Pace, in his new occupation, is charged with fostering and developing sponsorships and with developing new ideas on how to better serve and aid those who support the Games, and he says that his people skills will aid him in that endeavor.

“We so appreciate the sponsors we have and want them to know that’s true year-round, not just during the events,” he says. “I am excited to work with them and to find others who want to be a part of what we do.”

Pace also helps manage the budget of the Games and works with the USG team on the strategic plan for the 30-year-old sports festival that wrapped the 2016 edition up June 19. He says he thrives on the excitement engendered by the Games.

“I love the energy of the athletes and find that the Opening Ceremonies are a special look at the excitement of the Games in total. It’s fun to see the spectators join in that feeling,” he says.