By Gavin Lapaille

University of Louisville basketball fans know sophomore forward Earl Clark as “E5”, but a group of fifth graders in New Jersey may know him as a friend.

Clark, who was born in Plainfield, N.J, has been writing to a group of fifth graders at Franklin Elementary School via his blog at www.mye5cblog.com for the last few months. The students are given a chance to ask Clark any question they want with him responding on the web site.

Clark said he thinks the students can benefit by having contact with someone who knows what they are going through.

“They get a positive role model coming from their neighborhood,” Clark said. “Just see how anything you want to do just put your mind to it. That is what I try telling them to just stay in school.”

Although the blog is a recent addition suggested by his father, Clark has been a positive role model for Franklin students since he was in high school. Franklin was down the road from his high school, and Clark used to come and speak to classes at the school. Some of the students were able to attend some of Clark’s games.

Clark said he gets a great feeling from helping out the younger generation.

“When I was little I always wanted a big time player to come talk to me,” Clark said. “It is just exciting to see them and hear their stories.”

Bobby Akbar, who teaches the class Clark is in communication with, said he initially came in contact with Clark to try to get him to play football. Although Clark turned him down, Akbar let him know that if he ever wanted to talk with his classes he was free to do so.

“Earl is just a great all around kid,” Akbar said. “The first time I met him you could just tell he had that passion to help someone. He is a prime example of showing you can make it.”

Despite being on the verge of NBA stardom, Clark answers such questions like how tall he is, why he dreams of playing in the NBA and who his inspirations are for the class. Also on the web site are photos and links to articles about Clark as well as additional blog posts.

So far this season, Clark leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.8 points and 12 rebounds. Clark also leads the team in blocks and is second in assists. He has recorded a double-double four of the Cards’ first five games. Clark’s best game so far came against Jackson State University, where he scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out seven assists.

Clark said right now he is not thinking about the NBA.

“I’m just trying to play hard and not think about the NBA,” Clark said. “If you think about the NBA, it isn’t here yet, you tend to not think about what you’re doing now. We have to win games and make my teammates better.”

Clark said he can definitely see himself in some of the younger students.

“When I go talk to them it is fun because me and my friends used to do the same thing they do,” Clark said. “Sometimes we listen, sometimes we didn’t. I know when a big time basketball player came in and I knew that’s what I wanted to be, so I made sure I watched them closely, how they moved and how they acted.”

Clark said his teammates have giving him a hard time about having his own web page. Still, he believes more athletes in his stature should take the time to connect with younger children.

“I think it is a great way for people and kids to contact you and find out more about you than just being a basketball player,” Clark said.