Where Are They Now? Clark Topping

This is our sixth installment in a series of five questions with former Pirate student-athletes. If you often wonder what some of your favorite players from years past are up to, be sure to visit SHUpirates.com each month to see if that player is on our list. We will feature players from all of our sports programs.

This week we are catching up with former men's golfer Clark Topping who was part of some of the most successful teams in school history. Topping helped guide the Pirates to two consecutive appearances in the NCAA East Regional (98-99), finishing third on the team during the 1998 trip. He currently ranks among the top-10 in program history in overall stroke average and is tied for fifth most sub-par tournaments all-time.

Q: Where do you live now and what are you up to these days?

Topping: I live on a small farm in Bel Air, MD (a suburb of Baltimore) with my 2 kids, Sophia (9) and Charlie (5) and Fiancé Melissa.  For work, I am the owner of Annapolis Web Publishing, a Digital Marketing Firm in Stevenson, MD and also the Director of Interactive for gaga Marketing.

Q: What is your favorite memory as a Pirate?

Topping: In my personal athletic career as a Pirate golfer, my favorite moment was winning 9 of 13 team events my senior year (1999) and competing in the NCAA regional with Clemson and Georgia. As a fan, my favorite moment was attending the 2006 East Regional game in Raleigh, to witness the men’s basketball team defeat Arizona in the first round.

Q: Do you still keep in touch with any of your former teammates and if so, who?

Topping: Yes, quite a few of my teammates, Mike Costigan, Dennis Bosworth, Jonas Forssell, Ed Shannon, Andrew Rueve, Scott Hawley, Eugene Smith, Coach Small, and Coach Distlerath.

Q: Do you still follow the Pirates and what are your thoughts on the program today?

Topping: Yes, I still follow the golf program and have spoken with Coach White on a few occasions.  They have had some recent success and look forward to the spring season.   I also follow the Men’s Basketball program and watch many of the games on TV.  I attend the games whenever the team comes to the DC Metro area.  My thoughts are very positive since Coach Willard and his staff took over three years ago.  With all the conference realignments, I am hopeful Seton Hall basketball will be well positioned moving forward. 

Q: I notice you are a Pirate Blue member, thank you for your support.  Why do you support Pirate Blue and why do you think it's important to give back?

Topping: I support Pirate Blue because I know without the support of Alumni during my time there; we would not have had the privilege to play amazing golf courses around the country.  I also support Pirate Blue because I am huge fan of Men’s Basketball and in order for them to contend on a national level, the support of all our alumni is vital.

Previous Where Are They Now? Interviews

November 14, 2012