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.
