Fuquay-Varina High School (NC) Softball Field Renamed in Honor of Coach Deb Clarke
Wake County School Board unanimously approves honor recognizing a 29-year career, 438–125 record, and lasting impact on students and athletes at the school.
Raleigh, NC, Dec. 16, 2025 — At the start of last night’s Wake County board meeting, the board formally recognized longtime Fuquay-Varina softball coach and educator Deb Clarke and approved naming the high school’s softball field in her honor.
Clarke served Fuquay-Varina High School for nearly three decades as a physical education teacher, department chair, and head softball coach. During that time, she compiled a 438–125 career record and led the Bengals to 29 consecutive playoff appearances, where they captured 14 conference championships.
Her teams also advanced to the Final Four five times and won one Eastern Regional Championship. She was named Conference Coach of the Year 12 times and earned Eastern Region Coach of the Year honors twice. In 2023, the school inducted her into its Athletics Hall of Fame.
Clarke’s impact extended well beyond competition, though. School leaders described her career and leadership as steady and student-focused, with a strong commitment to developing young athletes on and off the field. During her tenure, she taught more than 5,000 students and coached more than 400 student-athletes, including 31 who later played at the collegiate level.
“Her accomplishments as a teacher and coach have never been matched in the history of our community school.”
- Mike James, Principal at Fuquay-Varina High School
Now named for her, Deb Clarke Field serves as lasting recognition of that legacy, honoring a coach whose influence continues across the Fuquay-Varina High School community well beyond her final season.