For Trey Clarkson, the lessons he learned on the basketball court at Western New Mexico University extend far beyond the game. A former standout guard and team captain for the Mustang Men's Basketball team from 2004 to 2008, Clarkson's journey has taken him across the world — from the hardwood courts of Australia and Italy to the sidelines of college basketball, and now to the heart of his community as a State Farm agent in Phoenix, Arizona.
A native of Tucson and graduate of Salpointe Catholic High School, Clarkson arrived in Silver City in 2004 ready to make an impact. Over his four-year career with the Mustangs, he became a cornerstone of the program. A two-year team captain and First Team All-Conference selection in the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), Clarkson helped lead the Mustangs to their first winning season in over 20 years and a spot in the 2008 RMAC Final Four. By the end of his collegiate career, he had scored over 1,000 career points, etching his name in Mustang history.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Clarkson was inducted into the WNMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, a fitting tribute to his leadership and competitive spirit.
After graduating from WNMU in 2008 with a degree in Business Management, Clarkson pursued his dream of playing professional basketball. He spent three years overseas — two in Australia and one in Italy — where he capped his career by leading the Ascoli Towers to a 2011–2012 Series C Championship and earning Finals MVP honors after averaging 20 points per game.
Beyond his professional career, Clarkson also represented Athletes in Action, competing in international tours in Israel, Kyrgyzstan, and the U.S. under Coach John Farwell. His passion for mentorship and leadership later guided him into coaching, serving as a lead assistant coach at Trinity Christian College in Chicago and later as an assistant coach at Arizona Christian University under Coach Jeff Rutter.
Now, Clarkson continues to lead — this time off the court. As the owner of Trey Clarkson State Farm Insurance Agency in Phoenix, Arizona, he channels his lifelong commitment to teamwork and service into helping families protect what matters most.
"I am excited for the opportunity to serve our community in Phoenix," Clarkson shared. "For the last decade, I was a recruiter and college basketball coach, and my mission was to serve the players I coached — to help them become confident and successful in whatever they chose to do. Now, as a State Farm agent, that mission hasn't changed. I simply want to serve, and I hope that everyone who leaves my office feels confident they're protected from whatever life throws at them."
Service, it turns out, runs deep in the Clarkson family. Trey is a third-generation State Farm agent — following in the footsteps of his father, a member of the State Farm Presidents Club and longtime agent in Tucson, and his grandfather, who has served clients in Phoenix for over 45 years. His agency, located in the City North/Desert Ridge area, offers a full range of insurance and financial services across the Phoenix metro.
Outside the office, Clarkson remains grounded in family life. He and his wife, Joanna, met in Tucson — "at a karaoke bar," he says with a laugh — and now live in Phoenix with their two children, Summer and Levi.
Whether on the court, on the sidelines, or now behind his desk, Clarkson's purpose remains the same: to serve others with integrity, care, and a team-first mindset.
"Western New Mexico University gave me so much — a great education, lifelong friends, and the foundation for everything I've done since," Clarkson reflected. "Silver City will always feel like home."
Be sure to check back next week for our next WNMU Athletics alumni feature.
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (X, TikTok & Instagram).
