Frank Clark, facing home invasion charge, is 2nd Michigan football player suspended
Michigan's Frank Clark celebrates an interception in last season's Sugar Bowl. The sophomore currently is suspended while he faces a home invasion charge.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Just hours after announcing starting tailback Fitz Toussaint is indefinitely suspended following a drunken-driving arrest, the Wolverines revealed Monday that defensive end Frank Clark also has been suspended.
Clark is facing a charge of second-degree home invasion, a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $3,000 -- or both. He is accused of stealing a MacBook Air from Stockwell Hall on June 14 -- his 19th birthday -- and is scheduled for a preliminary examination in Washtenaw County's 14A District Court Aug. 2.
"We are aware of the case regarding football student-athlete Frank Clark," coach Brady Hoke said in a statement. "This is a serious accusation and we will follow the lead of the judicial system.
"Frank was and will continue to be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation."
Clark is battling sophomore Brennen Beyer for the starting spot at weak-side defensive end, after senior Craig Roh moved from the weak- to strong-side.
His status for the blockbuster season opener against defending national champ Alabama, like Toussaint's, is uncertain.
Clark didn't play much early as a freshman last year, but became a regular part of the rotation by the end of the season. He played well when thrust into action in the Sugar Bowl, including coming up with an athletic interception that led to one of Michigan's two touchdowns.
Frank Clark
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
University police responded to a complaint from a 19-year-old resident of Stockwell Hall, located at 324 South Observatory St., that a laptop had been stolen from his room between 10:50 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. on June 14, said Diane Brown, spokeswoman for U-M Department of Public Safety. Clark is also a resident at Stockwell Hall.
"The resident reported that when he came back to his room, the door was propped open in a different way than he had left it, and his laptop was missing," Brown said.
The computer's estimated value is $1,800, according to officials.
A police investigation, assisted by computer experts, tracked the computer to Clark, who was arrested June 19 and arraigned on one charge of second-degree home invasion the next day.
His preliminary examination has been postponed twice. If probable cause is found at the exam, the felony case will be bound over to the Washtenaw County Trial Court.
Clark remains free on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond.
AnnArbor.com reporter John Counts contributed to this report.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Meral
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
Why wasn't this reported until now? Did the timing of the Penn State decision cause this? Or did the decision of extending DAB's raise and contract, have something to do with this?
RWBill
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
I remarked after the Sugar Bowl that Clark had a great pair of hands.
Hailmary
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
Good one RWBill !
Satch
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Did I miss something--why wasn't he also charged with theft?
Buckybeaver
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
Perhaps the NCAA should lay down the law. "One and Done". Kids will become inelligible at any level for 2 years. Also they forfeit their schoolarships.
Buckybeaver
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
It never ceases to amaze me that some of these kids don't understand the opportunity that they have been given. A college education and a "chance" to improve their lives. Peerhaps colleges should have a manditory class to teach these kids the basic things that they apperently aren't beiong taught at home....Like thou shalt not steal!
Mike
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 10:30 a.m.
I believe all of these players getting in trouble were recruited by the former coaching staff. Give Hoke time, he'll weed out the bad ones and they can all head to the desert to continue their playing careers. GO BLUE!
Mick52
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
So during recruiting does a coach say, "Tell me about your criminal record?" I know that juvenile court records are sealed and not accessible, but if a child has been a problem, you can expect that to continue. I kind of doubt they explore that. Maybe the high school coaches can fill them in.
heartbreakM
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
Though you may be technically correct, they are all Hoke's players regardless of who recruited them. And they are all adults and have to face up to their own decision making. And it could really happen to any coach, as you can't predict young adult's behavior. It happened to Bo's players sometimes, to LC's players, to Mo's players, now to Hoke...Other than education and supervision, not much many of these coaches can do.
Mick52
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.
I think the coach made a mistake with his remark, "Frank was and will continue to be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation." If the player has been charged the investigation is over, the case presented to the prosecutor's office and charges filed and he has been arraigned. As I noted in the Toussaint case even if a jury for some reason finds him not guilty or a judge tosses it out due to a police error, if he had someone else's computer that he stole he is guilty of the theft. Do we want a person like that on the team?
Angry Moderate
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
Huh? If a jury finds him not guilty, that means he is NOT guilty of theft.
a2citizen
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 4:22 a.m.
"Do we want a person like that on the team?" Good question. Beer and pot are youthful indiscretions. Being a thief gets you a bcd out of the military. Your basically an rch from the worst types of crimes.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.
Worst Scandal in all of NCAA History. Check. Big 10 (Penn St.) Largest Financial Scandal in NCAA History. Check. Big 10 (um) 3 teams currently on NCAA probation/sanctions. Check. Big 10 (um, Ohio St., Penn St.) 7 = number of current um football scholarship players arrested in past 6 months. Check. Big 10 (um) yeah...keep talking about how bad the SEC and other conferences are...
umgoblue47
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
GOBIGBLUE. . . secfan has only one purpose for posting on this site and that is to bash and trash everything MICHIGAN. his B.S. does not stand for degree!! GO BLUE!!!
Hailmary
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
sec fan, do you have a job or is this it for you, I'm retired so I have the time to waste.
GoBigBlue
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
I can respect that sec. And going forward I'll try to ignore the MI bashing posts when you are trying to knock down the holier than now posters. And I'll go ahead and read the positive comments should you decide to throw a few out there. : )
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
@GoBlue. Thank you! yes...EVERY school does have it's issues. fyi...my posts didn't start out as "always" negative. Typically, I would state data in response to a comment...but that would be met with "na na na na, thwwpppt". so, over time...it became, "well, let's have some fun here". I actually do like um games...and actually attend one or two (but don't tell anyone). I'm a sports fan. I don't sugar coat the bad things, whether they be SEC or Big 10. I also root for the SEC, being my home conference. I root for my Alma Mater first, then every other SEC after that.! As i would expect um students/grads/fans to do. BUT, I do not make up "facts" to support my position. I find that very very disappointing.
GoBigBlue
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
I see. Well at least the transplant to MI part explains your interest in MI so much. I would have to say that though I am as big a Blue fan as anyone I understand your view on the hypocrisy. It is my feel that every program has its issues. Especially with kids who are built up to believe they are invincible and are 18-22 yrs old. No school is immune to the mistakes these kids will make. I will make no excuses for Michigan in that regard. Sometimes it's just a bit frustraiting to see everyone of your posts as a negative toward Michigan.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
@GoBlue. actually, I am a true SEC fan and Graduate (B.S. degree)...hope I spelled that right :-) transplant to MI. I actually don't "dislike" um. I just hate the constant hypocrisy I see on this site. The holier-than-though attitude, especially when most of it is just plain lies.
GoBigBlue
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 3:57 a.m.
Whatever dude. I have a hard time believing your even a "sec fan". I think you just dislike Michigan and use that call tag to get under people's skin. If that's what you get your rocks off on then more power to ya.
RudeJude
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 3:25 a.m.
I noted this today when I realized a third of the Leaders division was not eligible for bowl season or the conference championship. The B1G conference is an embarrassment in its present state, and Michigan has plenty to be ashamed about. I hope Hoke can get matters under control.
umgoblue47
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 3:13 a.m.
yeah. . . don't worry, be happy. . . the SEC record of the most scandals and corrupt conference in college football history is still safe!!!
michboy40
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.
I have no problem with a strict response from Hoke on these issues. If it costs us games from lack of talent, then so be it. Just my opinion...
umgoblue47
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
football starts in about 40/days. . . strap on your winged helmets real tight. . . it just may be a bumpy ride?? KEEP THE FAITH!! GO BLUE!!!
I like Chicken
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 12:21 a.m.
Hey look at that!! Another playing running into an issue. Don't worry, there will be bigger issues after Alabama runs through the D.
Hailmary
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:34 p.m.
Don't count your chicken's before their hatched Chicken.
JRW
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
Kudos to Hoke for making a good decision on Frank Clark. Both he and Toussaint need to be bounced from the team. Otherwise, these "athletes" will continue to believe they are above the law because they play Div I football! Wrong. They are not above the law and will be prosecuted in court accordingly. Teach these punk players a lesson. Recruit a clean team that has high standards, and bounce these perps off the team. UM doesn't need criminals playing on the field Saturdays at MI Stadium.
Hailmary
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
Anybody got a fly swatter, there's a sec fan buzzing around the site.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
what about the previous 5 arrests this year? Kudos to Hoke for doing...oh...yeah...NOTHING.
observer
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 10:37 a.m.
I would be very surprised if they are bounced from the team.....very unlikely....
Jaxon5
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.
I am sorry, but the Big Ten is starting to look like the ACC, without the championships. This is extremely embarrassing.
Jaxon5
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.
Not too broken up about it, actually.
SEC Fan
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
i wonder if ya'll actually realize how sad that exchange was...
Jaxon5
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Yes, thanks. I was thinking SEC but typing ACC - my mistake!
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
Did you mean SEC? What championship has the ACC won?
Scott
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
I'm starting to wonder if the NCAA isn't going to keep us out of a bowl or reduce Michigan's number of scholarships.
Mick52
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
Funny but I was thinking after this news came out that maybe the NCAA or each conference should come up with standard, mandatory penalties for issues like this. Make them fair, fitting the offense and require all teams to apply the same penalties. That would eliminate all the guessing and the ability of a coach to slap a wrist for inappropriate behavior. The NCAA yesterday made it very clear it wants clean programs but why not make it across the board for offenses and clear to coaches and players of what will happen if you are a violator.
garrisondyer
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:49 a.m.
Doesn't seem like institutional control issues so much as personal issues of way too many of the players.
Johnny2x2x
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 11:16 p.m.
Isn't Michigan already on probation? This is the 8th arrest in the last 15 months or so, not good. Institutional control issues?
Hailmary
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 11 p.m.
Scott, Shhhhh !
Scott
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
What an embarrassment. Two in one day. Why does a kid on a full ride scholarship with all the trimmings need to steal a laptop? Hoke should try and steal 4 or 5 players off Penn State and can the same number off the team.
Paul R Lamse
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.
Scott, not that it really matters, but Clark stole on June 14, Fitz did his DUI on July 21. Clark is probably toast, But Fitz made a mistake (for which he will be punished) that many of us have made. If he is suspended for the Bama game and his sub does well, it will be costly for him. Who'll get the practice reps now? Not Fitz. To the rest of the team, wake up! Accountability!
Huron74
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.
It is really sad that so many NCAA Div 1 schools think a successful program requires the recruiting of all these ghetto thugs. Good riddance to this guy and all the rest.
a2citizen
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:14 a.m.
Billy Bob, calling someone ghetto is not the racial observation that hypersensitive white people who grew up in white neighborhoods think it is. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ghetto
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
Just because they are in trouble doesn't necessarily make them thugs, and just because they are African-American doesn't make them ghetto anything.
David Cahill
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
I love the constant use of the silly term "student-athlete" instead of "athlete". Apparently people at the Big U are forbidden to use the term "athlete" and are required to always say "student-athlete".
Mick52
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
Right David. For years I have been chuckling at that. I think it is an attempt to pacify the academic community. At major universities with successful athletics there is a large portion of people on the academic side that believe there is too much emphasis on athletics. That has come up over and over at Michigan in regard to admissions and how athletes are treated academically. The academic center built in the athletic campus however is a positive at Michigan.
garrisondyer
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.
I agree with the point you make. The academic standards at UM for their athletes should really be that they be students first, then athletes. It's a lesson I try to instill in my middle school soccer players... hopefully they'll remember it if they make it to the bigs ever.
Hailmary
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
I believe the penalties must be extreme or this will continue. Years ago in the public school system penalties could be harsh and often doled out by the Principal as well as the teachers and quite likely again when the child or young person got home. Now the kids threaten the teachers with great bodily harm or law suits and when they get home often let their parents know that child abuse is a serious crime should they, the kids report their parents. Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture in some cases ? I followed the teachers and Principals advice because I did not want to face my mother and fathers legal wrath when the teachers and principal finished with me. Is it my imagination or are young folks becoming less responsible as the years pass ?
Mick52
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Harsh penalties have been shown to not be a deterrent. At this age level there is a common belief they will not get caught, or it is a character flaw. What kind of person steals from another? Also, if you see aberrant behavior in one area, it will occur in other areas as well.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Acorn/tree. Also, as the twig is bent, so grows the tree. Kids are still kids. Adults are still adults. Most kids are still responsible, as of yore. Some aren't, again as of yore. Most of these dopes will grow from this experience and will do fine. The really smart kids will see this happening and say, as we do, "What's the matter with that clown, anyhow?!?" These (the vast majority) will not have to pay this kind of price. Kids of all ages: THINK!
Dave Kirkpatrick
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
Technically, these are the SIXTH and SEVENTH UM football players arrested for criminal activity in the last six months: you can add Josh Furman, Marvin Robinson, Will Campbell, Jerald Robinson, Fitz Touissant --- and and it all started with Coach Hoke's poor response to Darryl Stonum's multiple transgressions. Over 8% of UM's scholarship football players have been arrested - in separate incidents - since January - that has to be a NCAA record.
Steve McQueen
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
Didnt your Spartans have something like 10 arrested in that brawl a couple years ago...uh huh...its funny Dave how things look when you drop your green coloured bias.
Scott
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
Thanks for the tally. I wish hoke would can every one of them except Campbell. He just laid on a car- bad idea when you weigh over 300 lbs. The worst are the thieves. Deliberate premeditated acts to take something from another person. Followed by the DUI's - a combination of stupidity carelessness and lack of concern for the safety of others. at least we don't have any rapists or murderers- yet.
heartbreakM
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
Billy Bob: It doesn't matter if it's close or not. It is a BAD statistic. How does that compare to the general student body? I don't know that stat, but I can't imagine it's anywhere close to 1% overall (That would be a few hundred students arrested per year). What is going on with these high profile athletes that they put themselves in situations to get arrested? It's not "youthful transgressions", else it would be equally high among all youth. Is it something to do with privileged social status as an athlete? I am beginning to think that scholarship renewals should be based on a clean record.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
Ever hear of Florida under Urban Meyer?? Read up on it. We ain't even CLOSE to his record! Seriously??!! Sheesh!
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
"A police investigation, assisted by computer experts, tracked the computer to Clark, who was arrested June 19 and arraigned on one charge of second-degree home invasion the next day." Was this arrest reported a month ago? If not, why?
heartbreakM
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
This is just unbelievable. What are these players/students thinking? That they won't get caught? That these are acceptable things? I feel bad for the coaches for having to deal with these things constantly. But it seems to not matter what the coaches may tell them--some of these young men just won't learn and seem destined to screw up their careers and educational opportunities
Hailmary
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
Frank, Frank whatsa matta you ? Didn't you mama give you lotsa love Frank ? Mama Mia Frank, what we gonna do wit ya ? Grow up Frank your embarrassing yourself and everyone that knows you and those that don't.
ekimecir
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 8:54 p.m.
Harvard of the Midwest and the Florida State of the Big Ten