Southwest Baptist University Athletics

Clark Sheehy is heading into his 4th year (2025-26) as Director of Athletics at SBU.

Sheehy has been an instrumental piece in the building of the department across numerous avenues. This past summer he added an crucial piece to athlete development with the hiring of a strength & conditioning coach.

The student-athlete development continued to see improvements with academic records being broken. During the 2024-25 year, SBU Athletics broke four school GLVC academic records with Individual Academic Award (231), GLVC Distinguished Scholar Award (65), Council of Presidents' Award (33), and GLVC Team Academic Award (11). As well, the highest team GPA within the entire conference came from Southwest Baptist's women's tennis team with a 3.9 GPA. 

Sheehy has also continued to emphasize the Bearcat culture of servant leadership within the community. SBU teams have increasingly volunteered at more service opportunities including the Convoy of Hope food drive. This past year nearly 100 Bearcats served 656 vehicles food and supplies on the SBU campus. As well, numerous other athletes served on Mission Trips and other businesses within the surrounding area and beyond. 

Outside of the athletes, Sheehy has increased the number of sponsors to Bearcat athletics and was instrumental in SBU receiving the largest anonymous donation in Athletic Department history. He has also been crucial in renovations all across campus that can be seen at the baseball and football facilities. 

Sheehy resides in Bolivar with his wife, Elise, and their two sons Cameron and CJ. 

As a Coach: 
Career coaching record 320-221 (138-115 at SBU)

Academic Success
-56 Academic All-Conference
-1 GLVC Team Academic All-Conference Award
-40 MIAA Academic Honor Roll Awards
-7 MIAA Academic Excellence Awards
-16 GLVC Academic Honor Roll Awards
-2 GLVC Council of Presidents' Academic Excellence Awards
-1 Academic All-District
-NABC Team Academic Excellence Award
-4 NABC Honors Court Awards
-19 of 20 seniors that have graduated from SBU.
-Several players use their eligibility to obtain master’s degree in different areas of study
 
Athletic Success
-Made the post season tournament 8 of 9 seasons
-GLVC West Division Champions in 2021, undefeated in division
-Won Conference tournament game in 2019, first post season win since 2009
-First time in school history to beat the Nationally #1 Ranked team
-Received votes in national polls
-Double digit wins in all 7 seasons at SBU
-Won 20 games in 2019-2020 (first time in 10 seasons)
-Won the 2019-20 and 2020-21 GLVC James R. Spalding Teams Sportsmanship Award
-6 All-Americans
-Over 45 athletes that have moved on to play professional basketball
-12 All-Conference honors
-2018 MIAA Freshman of the Year
-23 Individual Top 10 Career Records
-6 individual Top 10 Single Season Records
 
Community
-Outreach efforts with: Abundance Ministries, Salvation Army
-Reading at the Bolivar Primary School, Bolivar Intermediate School, and Bolivar Middle School
-Mission trip to the Rosebud Reservation—South Dakota in Summer 2016
-Serving in numerous ways: church outings/functions, thank you for fire department, SOAR aviation fundraisers
 
Leadership
2017-Present
-Serving on the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Board-College Representative
2007-2014 (John Brown University)
-Athletic Department Leadership Task Force
-Chair-Sooner Athletic Conference Basketball Committee
-Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations
-Assisted in Coordinating of fundraising outreaches for Alumni and Boosters for scholarship and operational costs
 
Education
-Master of Science Degree 2000 (Texas A&M University—Commerce)
-Bachelor of Science in Education Degree 1999 (John Brown University)
 
Playing/Coaching Career
-Played 4 years at John Brown University
-Was an all-conference selection his junior/senior seasons
-Scored over 1,000 points in career
 
Head Coach SBU 2014-2023
-GLVC regular season champions (2021-22) *1st in program history
-7 straight conference tournament appearances (8 out of 9)
-Ranked as high at 16th in the Nation
 
Head Coach John Brown 2007-2014
-Conference Regular Season Champion (2012-2013) *1st in Program’s History
-Conference Tournament Champion (2010) *1st in Program’s History
-Highest winning percentage of basketball coach in school history
-Conference Coach of the Year (2010-2011; 2012-2013)
-Charles Kregal National Award for Coach of Sportsmanship for NAIA Division 1
 
Head Coach Fresno Pacific 2005-2007
-Achieved the First National Ranking in School History (top 30)
-Most Conference wins in eight years (2005-2006)
-Winning record for second time in previous ten years (2005-2006)
-Had Best Start in School History
 
Assistant Coach Texas State University (2000-2005)