New Jersey Hall of Fame Taps Hillsborough's Clark Diggs

Hillsborough resident Joetta Clark Diggs, a four-time USA Olympian, has been selected for induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made Monday afternoon at the Liberty Science Center by class of 2008 inductee Buzz Aldrin.

Clark Diggs and philanthropist Doris Duke were both nominated, however, Duke was not selected. 

“I am honored to be elected for induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and humbled to know that the state has recognized me for both my athletic and social contributions,” Clark Diggs said. "This induction will leave an indelible imprint on my heart forever.”

An Olympian in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000, Clark Diggs is America’s most successful middle distance runner of all-time. From 1977-2000, Clark Diggs competed in every outdoor USA Championship and Olympic Trial. Indoors, she competed in the national championship for 19 years.  

Clark Diggs was ranked among the top 10 Americans for 21 consecutive years and was ranked Top-10 in the world from 1991-1999.

Clark Diggs serves as the executive director of the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation (501c3 non-profit organization), which promotes involvement with physical activities for school-aged children. She is also the President of Joetta Sports & Beyond, LLC and author of the motivational book, Joetta’s “P” Principles For Success.

Clark Diggs was raised in both Newark and South Orange by her mother Jetta and father, Dr. Joe Clark, the noted educator and subject of the movie, “Lean On Me." She has spent most of her adult life in Hillsborough.  

She attended Columbia High School in the Maplewood/South Orange School District. Clark Diggs went on to win nine collegiate titles and was named a 15-time All-American prior to graduating from the University of Tennessee.

The East Orange-born Clark Diggs will be inducted alongside President Grover Cleveland; American revolution activist Thomas Paine; film-making pioneer Alice Guy Blache; sculptor J. Seward Johnson Jr.; Gov. Tom Kean; make-up tycoon Bobbi Brown; inventor David Sarnoff; philanthropist Ray Chambers; vocalists/entertainers Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Celia Cruz; TV and film star Alan Alda; comedian Joe Piscopo; boxing champion Jersey Joe Walcott; Super Bowl-winning football coach Bill Parcells; and Kathleen Di Chiarra, founder of Community Food Bank of New Jersey.    

The sixth Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Oct. 21 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford.  Following the ceremony, the inductees will be introduced at the New York Giants/Minnesota Vikings NFL game at the adjacent MetLife Stadium. 

The New Jersey Hall of Fame, a bi-partisan initiative established by unanimous vote in the legislature in 2005, honors New Jerseyans who have made invaluable contributions to society and have provided positive role models in all fields of endeavor for young people.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame has inducted more than 50 Jersey legends since it’s inception and dignitaries that have participated include Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, General Norman Schwarzkopf, General David Petraeus, Yogi Berra, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito, Frankie Valli, Queen Latifah and Tony Bennett.