Question and Answer with
Mark Clem
Q: What years did you play at Rockwood? A:
I played in 1976.77 and 78. Back then you could
not play High School until you were a sophomore.
Q: What position did you
play? A: I played guard on offense
and tackle on defense.
Q: What coaches did you
play for? A: My head coach was Mike
Collier, Defensive coach was C. W. Pemberton,
offensive line coach was Bob Meredith and Clarence
Holloway coached Tight Ends and scout team.
Q: Where did you go to
college and where did you graduate from? A: I went to Roane State my
first year. I then went to Tennessee Tech for my
second year and walked on to the football team.
After that year I came back to Roane State and then
transferred to the University of Tennessee where I
graduated with a BS in General Business in 1985
Q: Where was your first
job? A: My first job was with the
Kroger Company where I started working for in
college. I worked there for 12 years as a clerk and
manager.
Q: Where are you
currently working? A: After I left the Kroger
Company I sold insurance for a local business for 1
year. I then got back into retail with Wal-Mart for
the next 2 years. In 1997 I accepted a job with
Shelter Insurance as an agent here in Rockwood and
have been employed with them for the last 17 ½
years.
Q: Tell us about your
family. A: I married a Harriman girl
in 1984, Robin Garner. She is a hairdresser and has
been for nearly 30 years. We have 2 sons, Chase 24
and Riley 19. Chase graduated from Bryan College
where he played baseball. Riley just finished his
freshman year at UT where he is a manger on the
baseball team. Chase played football and baseball
at Rockwood for 4 years while Riley played
basketball and baseball for 4 years.
Q: What are your hobbies? A: Up to last year my
hobbies were going to High School sporting events to
watch my sons play. I also follow UT football,
basketball and baseball. I also help with the
middle and high school youth at First Baptist Church
here in Rockwood where I also teach Sunday School
for the middle school aged kids.
Q: Do you attend many
Rockwood games today? A: I go to most games even
the road games if they are not too far away. I stay
involved with the program thru the Rockwood Football
Alumni Association which we started in 2005.
Q: What is your fondest
memory at Rockwood Tiger Football? A: Most would think it would
be winning the State Championship in 1976 but it's
not. My fondest memory would be beating Lenior City
in 1978 at Rockwood when they were the #1 ranked
team in the state lead by future Vol and
professional player Chris Wampler. We won 14-10 and
Lenior City finished 9-1 and didn't make the
playoffs.
Q: What are your fondest
memories of your Kingston-Harriman games? A: The fondest memory of my
games with Harriman was scoring a TD my senior year
off of a muffed punt. I still kid Dennis Wampler,
the Harriman punter, as to how far I ran it back.
The Kingston game that sticks out was my Junior year
when we played them for the first time in a while
and we jumped on them early and led 42-0 at the
half. We had other close games with both teams but
I am proud to say I never lost to a county team in
my 3 years.
Q: Any final
thoughts or comments? A: I was blessed to play
for some of the best coaches in High School football
during my 3 years. We had a combined record of 34-3
during that time with a State Championship in 76.
We had a great 5 year run from 74-78 where we went
55-5 and could have won a few more titles but we
didn't. It was a privilege to run onto Civitan
Field and play for the Tigers. We have lots of
memories and stories that we still tell today that
never seem to get old. I am proud to say I AM STILL
A ROCKWOOD TIGER!!
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