Former Skater: Sir Shepherd Clark, The Jeweled Knight

[aftershocks]

Shepherd Clark was one of the most talented U.S. skaters to never make the World team. I wondered what he was doing now, and after checking the Internet I came across an interesting article, plus some interesting facts in his Wikipedia bio that I never knew.

http://www.inmag.com/profiles/shepherd-clark.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd_Clark

Looking back at some of his performances, his talent is obvious. He was never able to put it all together consistently, but he came very close and he kept trying ... He had lots of speed and ice coverage, and he was very tall for a skater. His interest in gemology and creating his own costumes I didn't recall.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE0RfhLYJLg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtFEOHG9OSk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ammB0JJj9_I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8tKS72xIaU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAFKldomoJg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nknGwAJY-y0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG0yNIsFBoE

Interesting for Dick's comments:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SchMugm-1as

[zaphyre14]

Last I heard, Shep was happily living in California, working on his jewelry business and doing very well for himself.

He was - and still is - a super nice guy and a joy to watch skate.

[barbk]

Last I heard, Shep was happily living in California, working on his jewelry business and doing very well for himself.

He was - and still is - a super nice guy and a joy to watch skate.

I'd love to see more of his jewelry designs. That's one guy who knew what he was interested in from a very young age.

[snoopysnake]

I loved when Dick Button described him as being like the saying, "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!"

I also remember the anecdote in a Christine Brennan book of other young men at a training camp snickering when Shepherd noted during an introductions gathering that he enjoyed making jewelry. That must have hurt. Michael Weiss even emphasized while introducing himself that he did not make jewelry. (Fortunately, Mike really seems to have matured into a much kinder, diplomatic person.)

Good for Shep for having a career goal for after skating, and for following his dreams. He's a good role model.

[manleywoman]

Nice guy, but having seen him skate in person, some scary jump technique. But he always put on a great show and was the nicest off the ice.

[essence_of_soy]

Nice guy, but having seen him skate in person, some scary jump technique. But he always put on a great show and was the nicest off the ice.

Yes. Some of the taller skaters seem to be at a disadvantage, jumps wise.

[jlai]

Just curious: Is he taller than Evan Lysacek? How about compared to Wesley Campbell?

[overedge]

From the Wikipedia page:

He is now often referred to in Hollywood and beyond as "Sir Shepherd, The Jeweled Knight".

"In Hollywood and beyond?" Methinks someone's PR agent is going a little over the top.

[RFOS]

Just curious: Is he taller than Evan Lysacek? How about compared to Wesley Campbell?

At the very beginning of the first video they say he's 5'11" (but that was when he was 18).

[zaphyre14]

Shep is 5"11" which makes him shorter than Evan. He's also been knighted so the "Sir Shepherd" is legit.

[cygnus]

Shep is 5"11" which makes him shorter than Evan. He's also been knighted so the "Sir Shepherd" is legit.

Knighted by whom? Just curious.

[overedge]

Knighted by whom? Just curious.

This was on his Wikipedia page yesterday and was mysteriously edited out early this morning:

Most recently, Shepherd Clark was knighted by the world's oldest Christian
order, The Order of Constantine The Great & Saint Helen, founded in 312AD
for his efforts in skating, Hollywood, entertainment, art, media, tech, ministry while helping various charitable causes.

[Bonita]

He asked me to hold onto his case of loose jewels once while he went across the street from Skating Club to Micky D's. I clutched that thing like no tomorrow until he came back. He said there was $65,000 worth of gems in it!

Shepherd is part of why I am skating. He really motivated me. As a beginner going to the public session, I would get there early and watch him practice in the session right before. His quad loop was pretty stupendous. His Shepherd potholes in the lutz corner less so, LOL. Tripped on quite a few of those. He was quite the powerful skater. The triple axel was the only wonky thing I ever saw. Loved his spins to pieces.

Really funny, nice guy, miss his skating but glad he's doing well.

[snoopysnake]

He asked me to hold onto his case of loose jewels once while he went across the street from Skating Club to Micky D's. I clutched that thing like no tomorrow until he came back. He said there was $65,000 worth of gems in it!

Shepherd is part of why I am skating. He really motivated me. As a beginner going to the public session, I would get there early and watch him practice in the session right before. His quad loop was pretty stupendous. His Shepherd potholes in the lutz corner less so, LOL. Tripped on quite a few of those. He was quite the powerful skater. The triple axel was the only wonky thing I ever saw. Loved his spins to pieces.

Really funny, nice guy, miss his skating but glad he's doing well.

Nice story! If it were me, I think I'd have been scared to guard those gem$. I would've offered to go to Mickey D's for him instead!

[aftershocks]

That's an interesting story, Bonita. Thanks for sharing, and thanks to all for your reflections. I thought there was one year where Shepherd came in 3rd at U.S. Nationals, but that was a year where only 2 U.S. men could go to Worlds. I wasn't able to check this, as Shepherd does not have an awards listing on his Wikipedia page. Is there a USFS link to all U.S. Nationals medals awarded over the years?

Re the Wiki knighthood reference having been edited out, that's curious. I wonder why. From the below link, the Christian organization that bestowed the knighthood (as previously indicated), apparently is legit.

http://westsidetoday.com/s10-1887/kn...re-by-the.html

[overedge]

Re the Wiki knighthood reference having been edited out, that's curious. I wonder why. From the below link, the Christian organization that bestowed the knighthood (as previously indicated), apparently is legit.

http://westsidetoday.com/s10-1887/kn...re-by-the.html

It is? The "source" of the story is the mission statement of the Orders, which would hardly be an unbiased source. And according to Wikipedia, the author of the article is the PR person for the Order.

[Bonita]

In 1998 Shepherd came in fourth at Nationals. Scott Davis was ahead of him in third, which was total bull. It was obvious they didn't want Shepherd as the Olympic/World team alternate. IMHO he outskated Scott Davis.

He was such a lanky, skinny guy, but like Evan L., he had a ginormous skater's butt!

[Civic]

Shepherd Clark was one of the most talented U.S. skaters to never make the World team. I wondered what he was doing now, and after checking the Internet I came across an interesting article, plus some interesting facts in his Wikipedia bio that I never knew.

[url]http://www.inmag.com/profiles/shepherd-clark.html[url]

Interesting article but their comment that Surya Bonaly is the first world class skater of African descent is incorrect. That honor goes to Debi Thomas, 1986 World Champion and 1988 Olympic bronze medalist.

Judging from the photo, Clark is one of those men who gets better looking as he ages.