ROBBINS, Ill. (WLS) — A newly unveiled athletic field in Robbins is set to boost youth sports in the village while paying tribute to a hometown athlete remembered for his resilience.
The Rocky Clark Legacy Field includes synthetic turf, LED lights and brand-new goalposts. The project was funded through a $2 million state grant. Residents and local leaders came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the complex, which will now serve as the home field for the Robbins CalPark Eagles.
For many in the community, the new facility stands for far more than athletics alone.
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“When our young athletes step onto the field, they won’t just see a field. They will see an opportunity, and they will see a community that believes in them,” said Glenn Hampton, president of the Robbins CalPark Eagles.
The field bears the name of Rasul “Rocky” Clark, a Robbins native whose life changed at 16 when he was paralyzed from the neck down after suffering an injury during a high school football game in the fall of 2000. Even after the devastating accident, Clark held onto hope.
“I’ll be back to myself in a little while, you know. I ain’t gonna need this wheelchair for long,” Clark said in 2001.
Clark’s family faced mounting medical bills after his health benefits from a $5 million school insurance policy ran out. Donations helped cover expenses, and his mother left her job to care for him.
Clark died in 2012 at age 27, outliving the life expectancy associated with his condition. His story later helped inspire legislative change. In 2013, then-Gov. Pat Quinn signed “Rocky’s Law,” requiring Illinois public and private high schools to provide catastrophic insurance to student athletes.
“Rocky’s law stands as a lasting testament to his determination to protect future generations,” Robbins Mayor Darren Bryant said.
Clark’s mother, Annette Clark, said her son’s memory continues to guide the community.
“He still stay in my heart. I have days that I know God gave him to me for a reason,” she said. She also encouraged young athletes at the field opening: “Hold your head up, and go for your goal. Go for your goal.”
Local leaders said the new venue gives Robbins youth football players a home field for the first time in more than 30 years, underscoring the lasting impact of Clark’s life and legacy.
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