Clark graduated Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up a Kansas City Royals fan and was drafted by the Royals in the 4th round of the 1982 draft but chose not to sign. He attended Mississippi State University to play college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In 1983, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). A league all-star, he batted .367 and was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2004.