Academy of Art University Athletics has announced Gabe Palmquist-Clark as its new assistant coach for men’s basketball. Bringing more than nine years of experience across the junior college and NCAA Division II levels with a stint at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M most recently, Palmquist-Clark will join Head Coach Scott Waterman and his staff ahead of the Urban Knights’ 2021-22 campaign.
“I am excited to have Gabe join the ART U basketball program,” Waterman said. “He brings a wealth of coaching and recruiting experience from both the Division II and junior college ranks. We are looking forward to getting to work and having him help us continue to build our program.”
With NEO A&M men’s basketball for the 2020-21 season, Palmquist-Clark served as an assistant coach, helping guide the Norsemen to a 14-9 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Region II Semifinals. Over the two years prior, he worked as an assistant coach for Howard College men’s basketball in Texas, working with current Urban Knight Michael Asante during that time. The Hawks went 34-22 in these two seasons, finishing third in the WJCAC conference and being ranked as high as No. 12 in the Massey Ratings. Additionally, Howard achieved the fifth and eighth highest team grade point averages in the country.
As an assistant coach, Palmquist-Clark was previously part of the Final Four run for Western Oregon men’s basketball in 2015-16. The Wolves capped that historic campaign with a 31-4 record after winning the GNAC regular season conference title, GNAC Tournament Championship, West Regional title, and finishing with a No. 3 national ranking. Along the way, WOU was at one point ranked No. 1 in the country and achieved the most wins in program history. Beyond the hardwood, Palmquist-Clark worked to engage the community as the coordinator of the Junior Wolves program and camp director.
Familiar with the Pacific West Conference, Palmquist-Clark was an assistant coach at Holy Names prior to Western Oregon. His responsibilities included scouting reports, recruiting, big men skill development, and video coordinating.
In addition to his NCAA Division II experience, Palmquist-Clark assisted at various other junior college programs including Vincennes University, Kilgore College, and Lane Community College.
“I am very excited to join the ART U family,” Palmquist-Clark said. “I love Coach Waterman’s vision for the program and the direction we are heading. I can’t wait to play a part in the ascension of this team. I think together we can reach a new level of success for Urban Knight basketball and find a prominent place at the top of the PacWest Conference. The possibilities ahead are exhilarating.”
Palmquist-Clark, a four-year scholar athlete at Cleveland High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Business from the University of Oregon in 2014 and later graduated from Western Oregon with his master’s degree in Science Education (Curriculum and Instruction) in 2016.
