A native of Newland, North Carolina, Eddy Clark attended Avery County High School, graduating in 1992. While at Avery, Clark was a standout athlete, earning all-conference recognition in football and all-state honors in wrestling. On the mat, he was a four-time regional champion, a state champion at 171 lbs., and an NCHSAA All-American in 1992, finishing seventh.

Following high school, Clark attended Appalachian State University from 1992 to 1997. He was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers, a 1996 Southern Conference Champion, and an NCAA Qualifier at 177 lbs. the same year. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education in 1997 and, along with Mike Carey, completed a master’s degree in Physical Education and Coaching from Emporia State University in 2009.

Clark began his 27-year teaching and coaching career at Mitchell High School, serving as head wrestling coach during the 1997–98 season. He then spent one year as an assistant coach at West Rowan High School (1998–99) before moving to Newton-Conover High School the following season. Starting with just five wrestlers on his first team, Clark quickly built Newton-Conover into a powerhouse program. He founded the Newton-Conover Youth Wrestling League, promoted year-round training, and established wrestling as a major sport in the community. By his second season, Clark’s Red Devils finished with a 24–4 record and a conference title.

Clark’s career accomplishments include 869 career dual meet victories and four NCHSAA dual team state championships (2013, 2014, 2016, and 2023). His teams also finished as state runner-up three times (2007, 2008, 2009). In addition, his teams won 11 individual regional Championships, and he was named conference coach of the year 11 times. Clark coached 18 individual state champions and 79 individual state place-winners and was honored as 2A state coach of the year five times. Clark served on the North Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association Board of Directors from 2008 to 2021.

Clark retired from teaching and coaching in 2023.  He is a master’s captain now living in Florida and is an avid fisherman. In addition to receiving the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Clark was inducted into the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. That same year, the gym floor at Newton-Conover High School was named "Eddy Clark Court" in his honor.