Decades after their time on the field, Chris Clark ’94 and his Golden Bear teammates came together to honor James “Hoss” Horbal ’93 and the enduring bonds built through the game.

In the fall of 1989, Chris Clark ’94 stepped onto campus with two clear goals: play football and earn a degree. Over four years of early mornings, hard-fought games, and long nights of study, those goals were met—but they were only part of the story. Along the way, Clark built bonds with his teammates that transformed his college experience into something lasting: a family.

At the center of that family was its leader, James “Hoss” Horbal ’93. Clark and Horbal first met during a recruiting trip to campus and quickly formed an unlikely connection despite their differences. Horbal, who grew up in Adams, Mass., in a close-knit family, was a natural leader who consistently put others first. Clark, raised in Providence, R.I. with less structure, arrived on campus still searching for discipline and direction.

His first year proved challenging. Unprepared for the academic demands of college, Clark struggled to find his footing. But the camaraderie of his teammates—and the example set by leaders like Horbal—pushed him to persevere. What began as a team soon became a brotherhood of more than 60 young men who held one another accountable and supported each other on and off the field.

By his junior year, Clark had grown into a leader himself and was named captain. In that role, he developed leadership skills and confidence that would shape both his personal and professional life.

“Being the football captain taught me to lead while building the confidence to work with others,” Clark said. “Those abilities have stayed with me throughout my career in business, marketing, and sales.”

While his experience on the field helped shape who he would become, it was support off the field that helped launch his career. With guidance from the University’s career center, Clark secured an internship which led to his first role at Pitney Bowes, launching his career in sales.

Driven by a strong work ethic and competitive spirit, Clark quickly advanced, eventually rising to vice president of U.S. sales. Then in 2010, after sixteen years at Pitney Bowes, he took a leap of faith and joined the video game industry as a senior quality assurance director at Blizzard Entertainment in California.

That decision marked a new chapter in Clark’s life, but the foundation remained the same. The leadership, resilience, and sense of accountability he developed at WNE, and within his football family, continued to guide him as he built and led teams in a fast-paced, evolving industry.

That impact was shaped, in no small part, by one individual whose presence left a lasting mark on everyone around him.

James “Hoss” Horbal embodied the very definition of leadership. Grounded by his upbringing and driven by a deep sense of responsibility to others, he was the kind of person who made everyone around him better.

In 2024, a tragedy struck when Horbal passed away unexpectedly. He is survived by his wife, Debra; his children, James and Luke; his parents, Paul and Elaine; and sister Lisa. Throughout his life, Horbal dedicated himself to service, working in law enforcement and special operations across the world in support of the United States Department of Defense and the United Nations.

Horbal’s passing was a profound loss, felt deeply by the many teammates, friends, and family who had the privilege of knowing him.

Paul Frisone ’93, a former teammate of Horbal who now works with the Brown University football program reflected on the man he knew.

“Jimmy was always the kindest person in the room,” Frisone said. “My life was better for having him in it, and if others could have just one person like him in their life, then theirs would be better too.”

Jeff Neeld, who worked closely with Horbal, added, “Jim was a devoted family man. He led by example, always serving, teaching, and encouraging. You could always count on him.”

To honor Horbal’s legacy and the profound impact he had on those around him, Clark reached out to Jason Lebeau ’10/G’16, head football coach at WNE. Coach Lebeau proposed dedicating new sideline benches in Horbal’s name.

Clark and his teammates committed to funding the benches and chose to unveil them ahead of the Golden Bear Weekend game on Saturday, October 4, 2025. A plaque behind them reads: “In loving memory of James “Hoss” Horbal #62, devoted husband, father, son, brother, and teammate.”

During the ceremony, Horbal’s family, friends, and former teammates gathered to celebrate his life and share memories that spanned decades. His wife and children traveled from Virginia to be present for the dedication.

“I am grateful that our kids can see their father’s legacy from the different parts of his life and that they had an opportunity to learn more about their father through his friends and teammates,” Debra Horbal said. “For them to see his name honored in a place that he loved so much is special. We will miss him forever but seeing him loved and honored by so many is healing for us.”

His parents and sister came up from Florida to attend the dedication. They never missed a game during Horbal’s college career and are strong supporters of the program to this day.

“As Jim’s family, we are very proud of the friendships he made at WNE and continued throughout his life,” they said. “The outpouring of WNE alumni that attended the dedication showed how much he was loved and respected.”

Through this tribute, Clark and his teammates have done more than memorialize Horbal; they have carried his legacy forward. The benches now stand as a lasting reminder of the leadership, loyalty, and sense of family he instilled in those around him, and that will continue to inspire generations of Golden Bears.

“When future players see his name behind those benches, I want them to remember the importance of giving back and being a good person,” Clark said. “When in doubt, do the right thing. That’s what he stood for.”

“This dedication is also for his family, friends, and teammates,” Clark said. “It’s for when they come back to campus to remember Jim and the great times they shared with him.”

In speaking with current players and reconnecting with the program, Clark was reminded that the impact of WNE extends far beyond the field. What started as an effort to honor a teammate has grown into something bigger—a renewed connection to the University, its people, and the values that first shaped his experience. For Clark, it became clear that giving back was not just about remembering the past but about strengthening the bonds that continue to define the present.

“Having established a relationship with Coach Lebeau, I can see that he is helping players grow into responsible adults. They remind me of myself, Jimmy, and Paul,” Clark said. “We can support him while also coming together as past players and reconnecting with each other, which makes our lives richer and fuller. It is rewarding to be able to give back to an organization that helped me in life, and I know that I am not alone in that feeling.”