A NEW ERA OF WOMEN’S ATHLETICS AT CLEMSON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AS THE TIGER GYMNASTICS PROGRAM PREPARES FOR ITS INAUGURAL SEASON OF COMPETITION. READ MORE INSIDE
Brooke Robbins
Jordan Roper
Ross Taylor
Ben Winterrowd
Dawson
Brooke
Brooke
Abby Szlosek
Kelsey
Blaze
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Orange: The Experience is published six times annually exclusively for donors to the IPTAY Scholarship Fund. A minimum priority contribution is $60, but contributions of all amounts are welcome. To join IPTAY, call 864-656-2115 or log on to ClemsonTigers.com/IPTAY. To advertise in this publication, contact Mike Money by email at mmoney@clemson.edu
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THE SECOND HOWARD'S ROCK
After over 20-hours of interviews and over six months of investigation, the whereabouts of the second Howard’s Rock is now known.
AT HLETIC DE PARTMENT 2 022-23 AW
ARD WINNERS
Clemson Athletics announced winners of the Frank Howard Award, IPTAY Athlete of the Year, and the Brandon Streeter Award for the 2022-23 academic year.
JA RON BLOSSOMGAME GIVES BACK
Professional basketball player Jaron Blossomgame has made a significant gift to the Clemson Basketball program.
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IN HIS OWN WORDS
Chase Hunter reflects on the incredible experience of attending the NCAA Athlete Symposium.
MAKING THEM PROUD
Running back Domonique Thomas has turned tragedy into purpose in chasing his dream at Clemson.
MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
The Tigers are ready to get back on the court and are prepared for success in 2023-24.
WO MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Clemson Tigers Women’s Basketball team enters its 49th season and is primed to capitalize on what could be a special season.
As Clemson introduces its first
Both squads
For the first time in Clemson history, Tiger Band has a female assistant band director, Emily Hamlyn.
Dr.
"Jimmy"
Former
Fellow Tigers,
THE FALL SPORTS SEASON IS WELL UNDERWAY FOR OUR TEAMS, and we are grateful we’ve had the opportunity to welcome many of you back to campus as our programs compete with the best of the best. Among several others, one of the highlights of kicking off the fall sports season was the opportunity to recognize the generosity of the Brown Family at the ribbon cutting for the brand-new Tiger Walk. It was incredible to see countless fans and supporters rally together and bring this enhanced gameday tradition from concept to reality. Your support each year allows us to continue to find ways to improve the experience for donors, fans, studentathletes, and recruits, and for that, we thank you.
It has been an active fall for our student-athletes with many notable accomplishments including our women’s soccer program earning a string of back-to-back weeks in the top10 rankings, women’s volleyball securing their 900th alltime victory, an upset of the No. 8 team in the country by men’s soccer, the rowing program achieving a first-place win in their season-opener, and many other individual conference accolades within each competing program.
As each in-season team strives to finish the season stronger than they began, we are preparing for the upcoming slate of competition for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and the inaugural season of gymnastics at Littlejohn Coliseum. Indoor track & field is also gearing up for their season to begin in early December with the Clemson Opener. The full schedules for both men’s and women’s basketball were recently announced and women’s gymnastics will be shared in the coming weeks for their season start in January. Just last month, the gymnastics program was able to host its first practice in their new facility as part of the Women’s Athletic Facility Expansion. Construction on the project benefitting gymnastics, lacrosse, and rowing will be completed by the end of the calendar year.
The support for each of these programs from season ticket holders has been phenomenal, and we are especially thrilled to be offering both season tickets and premium seating opportunities for the brand-new Tiger Gymnastics squad. If you are interested in learning more about how to secure tickets and premium seating for basketball or gymnastics,
please contact our office at 1-800-CLEMSON.
Alongside all of the anticipated excitement in the world of Clemson Athletics competition, we are actively ramping up our fundraising efforts and initiatives with an emphasis on growing the IPTAY Athletic Endowment. The athletic endowment is a key tool in ensuring the growth of sustained resources that will continue supporting our programs with the best possible opportunities in the dynamic landscape of intercollegiate athletics for years to come.
Part of the emphasis on growing the IPTAY Athletic Endowment includes plans to enhance our Planned Giving program. Our team has been working behind the scenes to launch a reimagined program to incentivize planned gifts beginning in November. This program includes the addition of a retroactive policy with priority point eligibility for planned gifts of $25,000 and above.
Planned gifts are a means of ensuring the priorities of IPTAY continue for the foreseeable future and beyond. These visionary gifts strengthen the opportunities available to generations of student-athletes through bequests, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, and a number of other instruments that continue long into the future. Be on the lookout at ClemsonTigers.com/IPTAY for a newly created webpage highlighting how to get involved in addition to other communication pieces that will supplement the rollout of the new planned giving policies.
Your support – whether through your IPTAY membership, supporting a sport-specific fund, being a premium seat holder, committing to a planned gift, or generously giving to the wide variety of other initiatives that benefit student-athletes – is a commitment that makes a huge difference across 21 athletic programs here at Clemson. Thank you for your continued investments and for your loyalty to the Clemson Tigers. We could not provide such incredible opportunities for more than 550 student-athletes without you. Go Tigers!
DAVIS BABB IPTAY CEO
WHEREABOUTS KNOWN: THE SECOND HOWARD’S ROCK
AFTER OVER 20-HOURS OF INTERVIEWS AND OVER SIX MONTHS OF INVESTIGATION, THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE SECOND HOWARD’S ROCK IS INDEED NOW KNOWN.
BY PARKER A. RHODEN
THAT LAST SATURDAY OF AUGUST FELT LIKE ANY ORDINARY August Saturday: the humidity was high and my patience for Clemson Football to kick off their 2022 season was low. Labor Day Weekend was only a week away, which meant Clemson’s return to the gridiron was in sight. I knew that I could hold out one more week – game day was right around the corner – but still, my anticipation and excitement for a clean football slate had reached maximum capacity. I needed to pass the time until the Tigers took the field. Little did I know that on this very ordinary, August Saturday, I would recognize something truly extraordinary. Something that would not only occupy my time for a week, but for months thereafter.
Two Details
I was a fourth-year PhD student at the Medical University of South Carolina, so my Saturdays were spent working on my dissertation. With the muted television flashing, and I staring at my computer, the Nebraska vs. Northwestern football game caught my attention. I needed a break. I paused my work and called for my dog, Bird. A bit of fresh air would do us both good. After about an hour, I had the air I needed, and Bird had the walk she wanted. We retreated into the house to escape the heat only after collecting the freshly delivered mail.
With envelopes, flyers, and magazines in hand, I sat in the living room to cool off before returning to work. Reviewing the necessary mail had met completion; I had sorted through the utility bills, mail addressed to past residents, and grocery store ads. It was time to indulge in the “fun mail,” where the latest edition of the Clemson World Magazine had been saved for last. I sat quietly reading about Clemson’s first Rhodes Scholar recipient, Creative Inquiry research, and the Clemson CARE Network. Wonderful was it to read such terrific stories about my alma mater.
Nearing the end of the magazine, I began reading Nancy Spitler’s work titled, “Howard’s Rock: The tradition that kicks off the most exciting 25 seconds in college football.” I began reading the article slowly (only because I was procrastinating). I would argue that most Clemson alumni
have solid foundations of Clemson traditions, however, I liked the brevity of this article to inform the reader with quick understanding if unfamiliar. I began my second reading of the article – again, procrastinating – when two details stopped me in my tracks.
Spitler began outlining the history of Howard’s Rock, sharing the origins dating back to the early 1960s when Samuel C. Jones Jr. ’19 brought two rocks back to Clemson from Death Valley, California, both given to Coach Frank Howard. Read that again: Samuel C. Jones Jr. ’19 brought back two rocks. This was the first detail. The paragraph continued, “The whereabouts of one of those rocks is unknown…”
“The whereabouts of one of those rocks is unknown” I read out loud. This was the second detail. It hit me that I knew where the second rock was: I have the second Howard’s Rock… But how was I so sure that I had it? I needed to find answers to validate what I thought to be true. After months of research, and speaking with family and Clemson’s history keepers, I found the validation I needed.
Now, let me tell you how it became mine.
Ms. Pat
Originally from Salem, South Carolina, the former Patricia Grant Rhoden (Ms. Pat, as we called her) was born on her family farm. Ms. Pat was athletic. From 1961-1962, Ms. Pat played basketball for Anderson College, and loved everything sports. Post-graduation, Ms. Pat worked in healthcare until she joined the Clemson Athletic Department around 1972 as an executive secretary. In this role, Ms. Pat became close to the Clemson Football operations and personnel, specifically with the likes of Coach Frank Howard until his retirement in 1974 and later with Coach Danny Ford, when she became the dedicated executive assistant for the Clemson Football staff in 1979. Around 1993, Ms. Pat transferred departments and began working for the IPTAY Ticket Office until her retirement in 2000. Through her nearly three decades of working at Clemson, Ms. Pat was known to be invested in the Clemson Family culture.
Ms. Pat came into my life when I was 5 years old. Ms. Pat married my paternal grandfather, Kenneth Rhoden (Papa), in June 1997. My grandmother, Jo’an Faulkner Rhoden, passed away in February 1980 due to an aggressive bout with leukemia. However, I always considered Ms. Pat my grandmother and treated her as such. The Rhoden grandchildren loved visiting Papa and Ms. Pat in Clemson. And, often, Ms. Pat would have a piece of Clemson memorabilia to give the grandchildren when we visited. For example, at Easter one year, Ms. Pat surprised the Rhoden grandchildren with our first original Tiger Rag.
Ms. Pat always had something to share, but she also had her private collection of historical Clemson artifacts. Among them was the second Howard’s Rock, and it wasn’t until later in life when I would understand that she had been gifted it.
The First Passing of the Rock
Family and friends gathered at the Galley Restaurant at Portman Marina in Anderson, South Carolina to celebrate Ms. Pat’s 50th birthday in September 1993. Notable attendees were Bob Bradley, Coach Frank Howard and his wife, Mrs. Anna Tribble Howard.
Partygoers would stop to wish her a happy birthday throughout the evening, often giving her a gift, among those were the Howards. Toward the end of the evening, Coach and Mrs. Howard approached Ms. Pat to have a private moment together. Mrs. Howard revealed a small orange box, and Coach Howard insisted that she open it. Ms. Pat removed the orange wrapping paper to discover a glass globe holding a small, tanned stone resting on an orange platform supported by a gold base. Coach Howard told Ms. Pat that it was authentically “Howard’s Rock” from Death Valley, California, and charged her to protect it and cherish as he did. Coach Howard hugged her and reassured her that it was in good hands. Coach Howard had presented her with his original, authentic rock that he had received many decades earlier by Samuel C. Jones Jr. ’19. This was Ms. Pat’s account of receiving the rock explained to me in July 2015.
The Second Passing of the Rock
Ms. Pat proudly displayed many Clemson artifacts in her home. A treasure in her possession known to all Rhodens
was a game-used 1981 national championship football gifted by Coach Dany Ford. Naturally giving, Ms. Pat decided that the first Rhoden grandchild to graduate from Clemson would receive the football. Out of 24 total Rhoden family members, 13 graduated from Clemson, which included 8 out of the 16 grandchildren.
Being the eldest grandchild in line to graduate first, I was positioned to receive the promised 1981 national championship football. Originally, I was to graduate in 2014. After changing my career path halfway through school, I realized that I needed a fifth year to complete a few prerequisites for graduate school. Closely behind me was my cousin, Andrew, who was to graduate in 2015. As May 2015 commencement approached, I knew that I would graduate before Andrew based on the 2014 commencement schedule. My degree program was housed within the College of Business and Behavioral Sciences and Andrew’s was in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. Weeks before I learned that Andrew was going to beat me to the finish line – his college was scheduled to graduate before mine. Andrew was going to receive the 1981 national championship football.
At our graduation lunch, Ms. Pat presented the 1981 national championship football to Andrew. Disappointed, yet happy for Andrew, I congratulated him like a good sport. Lunch concluded and the Rhoden’s slowly disbanded. Ms. Pat caught my hand as I was leaving.
“Parker, I know you wanted that football,” she said.
“It’s okay, rules are rules, and I missed the deadline. It’s not your fault.” I replied.
Smiling wide, she continued, “I know you wanted that football, but I have something else that you’re going to love. I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
“You don’t have to do that, Ms. Pat,” I said, trying to show respect for her rules.
“You’re right, I don’t have to” she quipped chuckling, “I want to. What I have is rare and extremely special. I want you to have it.”
We hugged and went our separate ways, and Ms. Pat invited me over to have dinner on July 2, 2015. Me, Papa, and Ms. Pat sat around the kitchen table finishing dinner. The
conversation was coming to an end when Ms. Pat said that it was time to present me with the “special gift” that she told me about weeks earlier. Ms. Pat left the kitchen and returned with an orange box.
“Congratulations, Parker. We are so proud of you. Open it!” she said enthusiastically.
I carefully opened the box to find the second Howard’s Rock. Unbeknownst to me, it was the rock that completed the set of two. Ms. Pat explained the origin of the rock, and how Coach and Mrs. Howard presented it to her in 1993. I hugged and thanked her, and we continued discussing the importance of the rare artifact. We finished our visit, and after a long hug, Ms. Pat looked at me intently and said, “Protect it and cherish it, Parker. It’s in good hands.” I left and sat silently in my truck, staring at the gift awestruck, recognizing what she had given me was tremendously special. However, it wasn’t until that ordinary, August Saturday in 2022 that I realized how rare this gift truly was.
The Search for Answers
I stared at Spitler’s article trying to reconcile what I thought I knew about Howard’s Rock with what I had in my possession. “Samuel C. Jones Jr. ’19 brought two rocks back to Clemson and the whereabouts of one of them is unknown” I said out loud. Understanding the importance of validating evidence, I began seeking validation of the events I had experienced with the second Howard’s Rock. I needed answers.
I began searching for people who knew Ms. Pat and could speak about the professional relationships that she had with the Clemson Football program. After having conversations with Papa, Coach Ford, and four to five more alumni, I eventually connected with Tim Bourret in January 2023. I explained the story of the second Howard’s Rock, the events that led to me to him, and my revelation reading Spitler’s article. Tim listened and asked questions related to the information that I presented. Ultimately, Tim confirmed his relationship with Ms. Pat and that she and Coach Howard were close. Upon sharing how Coach Howard presented the second Howard’s Rock to Ms. Pat, he stated,
“I could see Coach Howard gifting Pat the rock. Pat had a very close professional relationship with the football coaches, especially Coach Howard and Coach Ford.”
This was the validation I needed – someone who had worked with Ms. Pat was able to confirm that the relationship existed between her and the coaches, and that this was in fact the second Howard’s Rock. Whereabouts Known
After over 20-hours of interviews and investigation over 6 months, I am pleased to share that the whereabouts of the second Howard’s Rock is indeed now known. Let the record show the following series of events to accurately reflect how the second Howard’s Rock came to be and where it remains today:
In the early 1960s when Samuel C. Jones Jr. ’19 brought two rocks back to Clemson from Death Valley, California, both of which he gave both to Coach Frank Howard. On September 24, 1966, the first Howard’s Rock made its debut atop the hill of Clemson Memorial Stadium, where it remains today. The second Howard’s Rock was in the possession of Coach Howard from the early 1960s through 1993. On September 23, 1993, Coach and Mrs. Howard presented the second Howard’s Rock to my paternal step-grandmother, Mrs. Patricia Grant Rhoden as a 50th birthday gift. The second Howard’s Rock remained in the possession of Mrs. Rhoden from 1993 to July 2, 2015, when she presented the rock to me, Parker Rhoden. The second Howard’s Rock has remained in my possession since it was given to me, and it will remain with me until the appropriate time to pass on this piece of Clemson University history.
PAW SITIVE PRESS
HIGHLIGHTING CLEMSON’S TOP PERFORMERS IN ATHLETICS
TYLER BROWN
Football | Freshman
The freshman earned ACC Rookie of the Week and Receiver of the Week for his performance at Syracuse. He joined Sammy Watkins and Deshaun Watson as the only players in school history to earn multiple weekly honors in a single week. He recorded career highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (153).
GLADYS CHEPNGETICH
Women's Cross Country | Freshman
The freshman secured a first-place finish at the Live in Lou Classic to mark her second, firstplace finish of the 2023 season. In the 5K, she finished in 16:14 with an average pace of 5:22. She crossed the finish line 15 seconds before the second-place finisher. She previously has been named ACC Freshman of the Week.
MACKENZIE DUFF
Women’s Soccer | Junior
The junior was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week after earning her first career brace against Boston College. She helped lead the Tigers to a pair of shutouts against Miami (Fla.) and Boston College, including two goals in a 2-0 win over the Eagles.
CALAHAN KEEVER
Men’s Golf | Senior
The senior transfer finished tied for third in his first event as a Tiger. He had a 54-hole score of 207 on the par 71 course, finishing with rounds of 71-67-69. He had 15 birdies, which was fourth in the field of 10 golfers
KENNEDY WAGNER
Volleyball | Senior
The freshman recorded 14 kills to help lead the Tigers to a five-set victory over Virginia Tech. The win proved to be the program’s 900th in history. She also finished with nine digs to nearly total her second double-double of the season.
OUSMANE SYLLA
Men's Soccer | Senior
The senior defender netted an assist and the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Virginia Tech. He put his right foot on a corner kick from teammate Nathan Richmond and the shot deflected off a Hokie defender into the back of the net with four seconds left in regulation to clinch the victory.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER , 2023
Flex Pack and Single Game Basketball tickets on sale.
NOVEMBER
4 N ovember 4, 2023
IPTAY Day at Clemson Football.
FEBRUARY
15 F ebruary 15, 2024
50% of IPTAY 2024 pledge is due to recieve the 2024 online football ticket and parking application.
JUNE
1 J une 1, 2024
All pledges for the IPTAY 2024 year are due.
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DONNELL WOOLFORD
BY TIM BOURRET
CLEMSON HAS A STRONG HISTORY OF STUDENT-ATHLETE involvement in community service, especially members of its football program. Since 1999, Clemson has had nine of its gridiron stars selected to the American Football Coaches Association’s Goodworks Team. The team is composed of football student-athletes who are active in charitable and philanthropic activities.
Clemson is one of just three FBS schools (out of 133) to have players chosen five of the last six years. Current running back Will Shipley was named to the team this year for his involvement in the Clemson community and his hometown of Charlotte, N.C.
Shipley is not the only Tiger with ties to both Charlotte and the upstate of South Carolina who are having an impact on those areas.
Former Clemson All-American Donnell Woolford is also doing his part as one of the leaders of the NFL Alumni Chapter of the Carolinas. The organization has aligned with the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Greenville, S.C. and Woolford has been active in projects to raise money for the hospital.
Woolford’s involvement includes visiting the facility in Greenville, giving him the opportunity to see first-hand the good being done by meeting doctors, administrators, and most importantly the patients.
“When I visited the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Greenville it touched my spirit,” said Woolford. “In addition to children with curable issues, we are also talking about kids who are amputees and must deal with health issues the rest of their lives.”
“I was blown away by the staff and what they are doing to help these children. They do everything they can to help these kids every day.”
The Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville is the pre-eminent provider of pediatric orthopedic care in the southeast United States and is home to the largest team of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the Carolinas.
The hospital has expertise in over 85 conditions, and in 2022, treated children from 36 states and 20 countries regardless of a family’s financial and insurance status. Community partners such as the NFL Alumni Carolina’s Chapter enable Shriners Children’s Greenville to fulfill its century-old promise to care for kids and get them “back in the game.”
One of the projects Woolford has been involved and took place this past August when the NFL Carolinas Chapter played host to a golf tournament to raise money for the hospital at Pine Allen Country Club in Charlotte.
“It was a great day. We had a lot of former NFL players come out and support the event. It was fun to play golf with old friends, but we also knew we were raising money to help kids deal with difficult physical challenges.” Woolford is involved in other community service activities in the Carolinas through the NFL, including working youth camps.
“I know how important it is to have role models and help youth mature. We need people to encourage and guide us when we are young.”
Woolford’s involvement with the NFL Alumni Chapter is a way for him to give back to the NFL, which sponsored a program that motivated him to come back to Clemson and get his degree in 2017.
“A few years back the NFL started a program that paid for former players to go back to college and finish their degree. You have to keep a good GPA. I took advantage of that program.”
It also gave Wooflord the opportunity to be a part of Dabo Swinney’s staff as a student assistant coach and be a part of the 2016 National Championship staff. It was a great time in his life because his daughter, Ashley, was also a Clemson student.
“Coach Ford wrote a letter of recommendation for her when she applied to Clemson,” recalled Woolford. “She was very supportive of me going back and encouraged me the entire time we were both students at Clemson.”
Woolford also received encouragement from a former teammate and fellow first-round draft choice. Bill Spiers also came back to get his degree at the same time. He had been an All-American and first-round draft choice on Bill Wilhelm’s baseball team a year before Woolford was an All-American for Danny Ford’s football team. Spiers was also the punter on the Clemson Football team in 1986.
“We supported each other, especially during those 8 a.m. classes,” said Woolford with a smile.
Woolford won three ACC Championships during his Clemson career as a player (1986-87-88). That 1988 season, he and Deion Sanders were considered the top two cornerbacks in the country and were top candidates for the Jim Thorpe Award. Woolford was a first-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears in the 1989 draft.
“Those two years back at Clemson was such a great time. I was back at Clemson on the same staff with Woody McCorvey, who had recruited me to Clemson, my daughter was in school at Clemson, and I got to experience two great seasons under Dabo Swinney.”
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BEYOND THE GAME
BARRETT CARTER
PHOTO BY WIL LANGSTON
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST MEMORY IN FOOTBALL?
BC: When I first started playing football in Georgia. I’m originally from Chicago, so when I moved to Georgia, I started playing football in fourth grade and was nine years old. It was football tryouts and my coach at the time wanted me to intentionally drop the ball in a drill so no one would pick me up for their team, but I ran and made a spectacular diving catch. That really jump-started my career and showed me I had some sort of athleticism.
WHO ARE SOME TEACHERS, COACHES OR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT POURED INTO YOU TO HELP MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE TODAY?
BC: Coach Stewart, my high school head coach; Coach Boo Mitchell, my high school trainer/mentor; Miss Khaki, my fifth-grade teacher; and Coach Dalton, my sophomore year English teacher.
WHY HAS IT BEEN IMPORTANT TO YOU TO BE ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND READ TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?
BC: I remember I was that young kid that looked up to football players. Now that I have the opportunity to give back, I have no choice but to do so. I just put myself in those shoes and remember when I was that kid.
YOU WERE PART OF L.A. BUSINESS WEEK THROUGH P.A.W. JOURNEY, WHY HAVE YOU BEEN SO DEADSET ON MAXIMIZING YOUR ENTIRE EXPERIENCE AT CLEMSON?
BC: I’ve learned from the guys in front of me. They really poured into me and said that when you step into the real world you have to pay for stuff like the stuff that we have here. I really wanted to take advantage of that and explore the world. It really comes from the guys that came before me who told me to maximize my opportunity here and take advantage of everything that they have for us here.
WE KNOW YOU HAVE GOALS TO PLAY PROFESSIONALLY, BUT AWAY FROM FOOTBALL, WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
BC: I want to be a broadcaster on ESPN. I want to build my own facility and train kids there and give back. Also, I just want to travel the world and live life to the fullest.
BEYOND BEING A GREAT LINEBACKER, COACH SWINNEY HAS FREQUENTLY SAID YOU ARE “ONE OF THE BEST PURE FOOTBALL PLAYERS” HE’S HAD IN 20 YEARS. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THAT DISTINCTION AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
BC: It’s a testimony to my preparation and my athleticism. I hate to toot my own horn, but I work very hard. I didn’t always
play linebacker. I was a receiver and I played other positions. The fact that he says I’m one of the best “football players” he’s ever coached, it means the world to me. It’s just a testimony to my athleticism and the hard work I put in. I don’t take that lightly.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE TEAMMATE IN YOUR TIME HERE AND WHY?
BC: Wade Woodaz. We hold each other accountable. As close as we are on the field, we’re so close off the field. We’re always hanging out and golfing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NON-FOOTBALL SPORTS TEAM?
BC: Los Angeles Lakers, because I am a LeBron James die-hard fan.
IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE COST, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
BC: Bora Bora.
IF YOU COULD ADD ONE FORMER CLEMSON PLAYER TO THE ROSTER RIGHT NOW AND PLAY ALONGSIDE THEM, WHO WOULD IT BE?
BC: Jeff Davis.
THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY
On September 27, 1958, Clemson Football beat North Carolina by a score of 26-21 to give Head Coach Frank Howard his 100th career victory.
ATHLETIC DEPARMENT AWARD WINNERS 2022-23
THE CLEMSON ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED WINNERS OF THE FRANK HOWARD AWARD, THE IPTAY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, AND THE BRANDON STREETER AWARD FOR THE 2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR.
BY JEFF KALLIN
FRANK HOWARD AWARD
Valerie Cagle
Softball
CLEMSON SOFTBALL ALL-AMERICAN VALERIE CAGLE, ALL-ACC basketball player Hunter Tyson, and All-ACC defensive lineman Bryan Bresee have been named winners of major Clemson Athletic Department Awards for the 202223 academic year.
Cagle is the recipient of the Frank Howard Award, the award for bringing honor to Clemson Athletics. Tyson is the recipient of the IPTAY Athlete of the Year, the honor presented to the all-around student-athlete of the year. Bresee won the Brandon Streeter Award, which is presented to a student-athlete who overcame hardship to return to the field with excellence.
Cagle is the recipient of the Frank Howard Award for the second time in her career, as she also won the honor as a freshman in 2020-21. She joins track athletes Travis Padgett (2007 and 2008) and Shawn Crawford (1998 and 2000) as the only two-time recipients of the Frank Howard Award.
Cagle was named the National Player of the Year by D1 Softball and USA Softball. She was named the ACC Player of the Year and the ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Additionally, Cagle was named an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar and winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award among pitchers.
The native of Yorktown, Virginia hit .469 with 19 home runs and 83 hits, all best in school history. On the mound she posted a 25-8 record, including eight shutout victories, with a 1.56 ERA with 188 strikeouts in 193 innings.
IPTAY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Hunter Tyson Basketball
Tyson was a first-team All-ACC selection on the court and in the classroom. He won the ACC’s Skip Prosser Award, which is presented to the top student-athlete in the ACC among men’s basketball players. Additionally, he was named a second-team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators Association.
Statistically, Tyson averaged 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in 2022-23, leading Clemson to a 24-11 record, including a school record 14 wins in ACC competition. He shot 48 percent from the field, including 41 percent on three-point shots and 84 percent from the line. He collected 16 double-doubles, most by a Clemson player in 30 years (Sharone Wright, 18, 1992-93). Tyson ranked second in the nation in defensive rebounds per game with 8.26.
The North Carolina native was also a finalist for the 2023 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and was named to the Oscar Robertson Watch List. In June, he was selected as the #37 selection of the NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, the highest selection by a Clemson player in nine years.
BRANDON STREETER AWARD
Bryan Bresee Football
Bresee battled through personal tragedy and illness throughout the 2022 campaign. His youngest sister, Ella, was hospitalized with a setback in her battle with medulloblastoma the day before Clemson’s home-opener against Furman, a game in which she was set to be publicly honored. She died the following week on Sept. 15 following her battle with brain cancer.
Bresee returned in 2022 following surgeries to his knee and both shoulders in 2021, the former of which cost him all but four games of his sophomore season. Despite being limited to 10 games and seven starts in 2022, he earned second-team All-ACC status from the league and was a Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist.
Later in the season, Bresee was hospitalized with a significant kidney infection while his family’s story was being featured on ESPN’s College GameDay in Clemson in advance of Clemson’s prime-time win against NC State. He would battle the kidney infection, strep throat and other illnesses that led to him gaining and losing 45 pounds of water weight over a two-month span.
Bresee was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 29 overall selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, becoming the highest Clemson player selected by the Saints in franchise history.
JARON BLOSSOMGAME GIVES BACK
PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER JARON BLOSSOMGAME HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT GIFT TO THE CLEMSON BASKETBALL PROGRAM.
IPTAY ANNOUNCED THAT PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER JARON Blossomgame has made a significant gift to the Clemson Basketball program.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” said Blossomgame. “I’m happy to give back. I understand the impact that something like this has and the importance of giving back as well. Clemson University has given me so much in my time there and my years after. I’m excited about the future; I’m excited about right now and the generations to come. I want to help give them a similar experience to what I had, which was an incredible one. I want to thank everyone who made this opportunity possible.”
“I want to thank Jaron for his generous contribution back to Clemson,” said Head Coach Brad Brownell. “It’s great to see former players recognizing the value of their Clemson experience and their desire to give back to future generations. Our basketball family always enjoys watching our players’ careers after Clemson, and Jaron’s success in the game has led him to the top league in Europe.”
Blossomgame, a two-time All-ACC player including the ACC’s Most Improved Player in 2016 and First Team recognition in 2017, spent a highly distinguished four years playing for the Tiger basketball program. Blossomgame is fifth all-time in program history with 1,733 points. He is top 10 in rebounds (831), double figure scoring games (86), minutes played (3,924), field goals made (627) and free throws made (383). His jersey hangs in the rafters of Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Alpharetta, Ga. native was selected 59th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. After playing in the G-League for the Austin Spurs in 2017 and parts of 2018, Blossomgame was traded to the Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers) where he flourished.
He averaged 20.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Charge before being called up to the Cavaliers. He played 27 games for the Cavaliers and averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 76.9 percent at the foul line.
Blossomgame currently plays for AS Monaco in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in France. He played 36 games last season for the league champions, averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds, while shooting 59.7 percent on two-point field goals and 41.9 percent from three.
In his career, Blossomgame has been an LNB Champion, Coup De France Champion, All-Euro Cup First Team member, NBA G League Champion and an All-G League Third Team member.
“Jaron has always appreciated Clemson University and the men's basketball program,” said Assistant Director of IPTAY Major Gifts - Block C Club, Jordan Roper. “He and I were both beneficiaries of the dollars raised by IPTAY and the leadership of Coach Brownell and his staff. By donating back to Clemson, Jaron is exemplifying the importance of philanthropy and helping to ensure that future generations of Clemson Basketball student-athletes have the same opportunities that he did.”
FROM THE BROADCAST BOOTH
BY DON MUNSON
DURING MY TEN YEARS OF BEING BEHIND THE MICROPHONE CALLING Clemson Football games, I have had the privilege of seeing some amazing games. When it comes to the month of December and Clemson Football, it is always a blessing to see our Tigers compete in bowl games. This is a run back in my memory bank to recall one of the great Clemson bowl wins posted over the years in the month of December.
It was the first bowl game I ever called on the radio on December 29, 2014. That night Clemson took on Oklahoma in Orlando, Fla. in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Clemson entered the contest without the man who had guided the offense since the start of the 2011 season. Offensive coordinator Chad Morris left after the end of the regular season to become the head coach at Southern Methodist University. Head Coach Dabo Swinney handed the reins of the offense to Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott. There was also the need to bring in a new quarterback coach and Brandon Streeter was hired for that job. So not only were there coaching changes that had to be dealt with but there was also the fact that quarterback Deshaun Watson had knee surgery three days after the win over South Carolina that ended the regular season. Without the field leader of the Clemson offense, all of us had major doubts about getting a win over a very good Bob Stoops coached Oklahoma squad.
Brandon Streeter's first job was to instill confidence in Cole Stoudt that he could lead the team. Coach Streeter made a slight adjustment to Stoudt’s passing motion and he started to put impressive practice after impressive practice together. The very first offensive play for Clemson was nothing short of spectacular. The very first play ever called by the combo of
Elliott and Scott, the very first throw from Stoudt, the very first pass witnessed by Streeter as a Clemson coach was just a simple throw to the left side of the field. Artavis Scott gathered in the throw along the line of scrimmage, he got a couple of key blocks, and by his fourth stride, everyone in the stadium knew he was going 65 yards for a touchdown. Clemson led 13-0 after the first quarter, 30-0 at halftime, and 40-0 after three quarters. An eleven-yard touchdown run with 6:57 left in the game was the only points Oklahoma could muster as our Tigers routed the Sooners 40-6. Stoudt was named game MVP, a nice end to the quarterback’s season and career at Clemson. He finished with a career-high 319 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions on 26for-36 passing and added a rushing touchdown.
Artavis Scott had eight receptions for a game-high 114 yards and one touchdown, while Mike Williams added a game-high nine catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. It marked the first time Clemson had two 100-yard receivers in a bowl game. Clemson had a top-ranked defense in the nation coming into the contest and they played like it forcing five turnovers and holding Oklahoma to 275 yards and a lone score in the fourth quarter. Defensively, Korrin Wiggins had a team-tying-high six tackles and an interception. Ben Boulware had a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown and recovered a fumble. Grady Jarrett added 3.5 tackles for loss, while Vic Beasley had three tackles.
It was a game I will never forget, and it was a key building block for what was to come in 2016. As Coach Swinney likes to say, “The fun is in the winning!” Ain’t that the truth? All God’s children say, “Go Tigers!”
IN HIS OWN WORDS
CHASE HUNTER REFLECTS ON THE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE OF ATTENDING THE NCAA ATHLETE SYMPOSIUM.
BY CHASE HUNTER
AFTER A GREAT WEEKEND AT THE NCAA ATHLETE SYMPOSIUM, there was a ton of great information that I was able to learn. I am thankful to the NCAA for granting me the opportunity and proud to be an alumnus of such a great event. After hearing many great speakers, and talking with former college and professional players, I was able to become not just a better player, but a better person. Learning about mental health, self-talk, and leadership were a few things that stuck with me.
Becoming a better leader is something I have been looking forward to in my career. Learning from former players like Hunter Tyson and Aamir Simms, I was able to see great examples of leadership. At the symposium, I was able to learn ways that I can lead in my own way. Leadership is not all about what you say, but it is how you carry yourself, how you go about business, and how much you care. This year, I plan to lead by example and be someone who earns the respect of my teammates. In doing all this I must have the right mindset to be able to lead at my best.
Your mindset is a collection of thought patterns and beliefs that share your view of reality. It’s a story that you tell
yourself about your identity and about the world around you. To improve your well-being, you must first believe that you can make a change. For me, this was something that I wanted to improve the most in going into this new year. Having a growth mindset and adopting a more positive outlook on any unknown circumstance.
I was also able to learn about social media and the positive and negative effects that it can have on athletes. We have a platform as student-athletes, and it can be challenging when you must juggle your real life with your athlete life. Many people on the outside do not know the mental struggles that can come with the hate that we receive on social media. Though social media has its negatives, it also has positives for us, especially in this new NIL world. As student-athletes, we can now profit off our name, image, and likeness, so our social media platforms can be used to promote our brand and show the “real life” side of us. After taking in all the information from the symposium I have already begun to use leadership strategies going into this big season ahead. I plan on being the best version of me I can be for this team, and leading us towards our championship aspirations.
ANNUAL FUND IMPACT
IPTAY MEMBERS ARE MAKING AN IMPACT AT EVERY LEVEL!
BY REED KRAMER
FOR NINE DECADES, IPTAY HAS SUPPORTED CLEMSON TIGER student-athletes' success. Throughout these 90 years, the growth of Clemson Athletics has been transformational, leading to championship moments in athletic competition and the classroom. The continued upward trajectory is possible because of those who philanthropically support IPTAY.
The strong foundation of this organization rests within the large number of members who contribute what they can to the annual fund every year. A fundraiser at a peer institution once noted, "What astounds me is the number of contributors they have. No one in the country has that many contributors. No one comes close." The loyalty, dedication, and passion for Clemson Athletics by IPTAY members is what separates itself from peer intercollegiate athletics fundraising organizations across the country.
Since IPTAY’s onset, IPTAY and Clemson Athletics have grown together. In 1934, the year of IPTAY's founding, the football program recorded its first winning season. Just four years later, in 1938, the net results began to appear on the field as Clemson recorded seven wins on the gridiron, defeating Presbyterian, Tulane, Wake Forest, Kentucky, George Washington, Furman, and instate rival South Carolina! Today, that relationship continues to grow stronger. During IPTAY 2023, the most recently completed fiscal year, IPTAY surpassed 22,000 priority donors, and contributions to IPTAY totaled $137.2M, both of which are records. Simultaneously, the Tigers won four ACC team championships during the 2022-23 campaign, the most conference championships in a single year since
1998-99. As you can see, IPTAY and Clemson Athletics are synonymous and are powered by each other's success!
Just as it was in the 1930s, a gift to IPTAY of any size impacts the lives of Clemson student-athletes. Today, dollars given go directly to supporting student-athlete scholarships, new and upgraded facilities, the Nieri Family student-athlete enrichment center, strength and conditioning, nutrition services and more. Derived from the name, many know that IPTAY (I Pay Ten A Year) began with one $10 giving level in 1934. During that first year, IPTAY had 162 members. Today, IPTAY has over 22,000 members and 12 annual giving levels ranging from the Paw ($60) level up to the Riggs ($25,000) level. On the adjacent page, specific examples have been provided to show how annual gifts of any size support our student-athletes. To say the least, IPTAY couldn't do what it does without the support of its members.
"What astounds me is the number of contributors they have. No one in the country has that many contributors. No one comes close."
FUNDRAISER AT A PEER INSTITUTION
To those already on the team, THANK YOU! The grassroots support has been and continues to be essential to the growth and success of athletics at Clemson. Last spring, with your help, Clemson student-athletes recorded a combined GPA over 3.0 for the tenth consecutive semester. Additionally, 125 student-athletes earned degrees during the 2022-23 academic year. To those who haven't joined, we need you. Joining is easy, and there has never been a better time to be a Clemson Tiger. To join IPTAY or learn more, scan the QR code on the adjacent page, visit ClemsonTigers.com/IPTAY, call 1-800-CLEMSON, or visit us in person at the McCarter Family IPTAY Center. Go Tigers!
MAKING THEM PROUD
RUNNING BACK DOMONIQUE THOMAS HAS TURNED TRAGEDY INTO PURPOSE IN CHASING HIS DREAM AT CLEMSON.
BY ROSS TAYLOR
WHEN RUNNING BACK DOMONIQUE THOMAS RUMBLED INTO THE end zone for a two-yard touchdown run against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 16, the destination was not necessarily new for him.
In the spring of 2021, Thomas was a standout freshman at NAIA Union College in Kentucky. In that COVID-delayed season, the powerful back reached the end zone seven times — six on the ground and one through the air — en route to Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division Offensive Freshman of the Year honors.
His journey to Memorial Stadium’s end zone on that September Saturday night, however, was both inspiring and tragic.
On March 25, 2021, Thomas was on his way to a game when he received word that a tornado had passed through his hometown of Ohatchee, Ala. After attempts to reach his mother and grandparents were unsuccessful, he received news that forever changed his life.
The tornado had claimed the lives of his 38-year-old mother Ebonique Thomas, his 73-year-old grandfather Willie Harris and his 67-year-old grandmother Barbara Harris. His sister, Ontarriah Braxton, a seventh grader at the time, suffered a fractured spine that required vertebrae surgery. It’s believed that his sister’s decision to put on one of Domonique’s football helmets amid the storm may have saved her life.
In an instant, three central figures in his family — the people who helped foster his love of football — had passed.
“When I was born, my granddad put a football in the incubator with me, and I think my love for football started that day,” Thomas shared, adding that “hut hut” were his first words. “It felt like I was born to play this game.”
Prior to the tragedy, Thomas had discussed with family the possibility of departing Union College to chase his college football dreams at the FBS level. In part because of the leadership of Head Coach Dabo Swinney, the family’s collective wish for him was to pursue that dream at Clemson.
Thomas spoke his dreams into existence. Before he ever
enrolled at Clemson, he found Swinney at one of Clemson’s summer camps and shared both his story and his intention to walk-on. By January 2022, Thomas had enrolled and joined the team for offseason strength and conditioning in advance of spring practice.
Thomas, whom the team nicknamed “Quadzilla” for his prodigious thighs that Swinney once compared to Earl Campbell’s, quickly garnered both attention and respect from his teammates and coaches. In August of 2022, before he ever played a snap at Clemson, Swinney announced in a team meeting that he had earned a scholarship for the 2022 season.
It was another chapter in a story so powerful that it took Clemson running backs coach C.J. Spiller aback the first time he heard it.
“In the moment, it made me want to just call my mom, honestly,” Spiller said. “Because here you’ve got a young man that'll never get the opportunity to hear those words ‘I love you’ again from his mother.”
The story grew in the fall of 2023. Clemson’s scholarships for walk-ons are typically awarded by Swinney on a yearby-year basis subject to both scholarship availability and performance in all areas of the student-athlete experience. Swinney, however, announced in front of the team during a training camp practice that Thomas was being placed on scholarship for the duration of his remaining tenure at Clemson.
“He's beyond earned a scholarship here — ‘until graduation do we part,’” Swinney said. “So that was a really cool moment to be able to do that for him. And he's earned it. This kid is a really good football player and nobody deserves it more, and his teammates know that.”
Thomas shared his story with ESPN’s Jen Lada in a feature that ran on ACC Network’s ACC Huddle prior to Clemson’s game against Florida Atlantic. Hours later, Thomas punctuated that feature with his first rushing touchdown as a Tiger.
“It was something I always dreamed about doing as a little kid,” Thomas said of his first Clemson touchdown. “The feeling after it actually happened was surreal.”
So why did Thomas share such a painful and personal story to such a broad audience?
“I just felt like it gave me an opportunity to fulfill my purpose,” Thomas said. “My purpose is to inspire people through my journey and football, and that was a great opportunity for me to be able to do that by sharing my story.”
Two weeks before the tragedy, Thomas had completed an assignment on the biblical book of Job. Little did he know he quickly he would identify with the book’s eponymous subject, and Thomas now credits that story and the lessons within for helping him weather and grow through the tragedy that followed.
“I had to do a report on the story of Job and that talked about how he lost everything,” Thomas said. “He lost his wife, his kids, his wealth, his health, but he still remained faithful to God and he still continued to be a good person and continued to believe God has perfect timing. I needed that. I feel like if I didn't know that story then I don't know if I would've handled losing my family. I don't know if I would've handled it the same.”
To know Thomas is to understand juxtaposition. His powerful running style and intimidating physique contrasts
his soft-spoken, humble demeanor off the field. On the field, he has carved out a role as Clemson’s No. 3 running back behind one of the nation’s top running back duos in Will Shipley and Phil Mafah.
“When you talk about the definition of someone who is never going to let an opportunity go to waste, Domonique is someone who has taken what he’s gotten from Clemson University and tripled it,” Shipley said. “You don’t see Phil and I where we’re at right now without Domonique Thomas. I know for me, I can confidently say he and Phil are the ones that have pushed me to be where I am.
“I’m just so thankful for him and his story and what he’s been able to do at Clemson and the impact that he has and will leave on this university,” Shipley continued. “Nobody deserves the opportunity more than him and I love him to death.”
Each game, Thomas inscribes “#LL3” on his wristbands and towel, signifying “Long Live Three” in the honor of his three lost family members.
“Losing them, I just thought to myself, ‘I’ve got to make them proud,’” Thomas said. “Everything I do is for them. Everything I do is to make them proud. I know they're still watching me, and I just want to make sure I'm still chasing my dream and doing everything I can to make them proud."
TIGER WALK
On September 9, 2023, the generosity of the Brown Family was commemorated with a ribbon cutting at the brand new Tiger Walk. An enhanced game day tradition, the Tiger Walk pathway now includes the names of all Clemson Football captains and leads into the Oculus.
PHOTO BY SYDNEY LYKINS
MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
BY TIM BOURRET
THE
2023-24 CLEMSON BASKETBALL TEAM RETURNS THREE STARTERS
and five key reserves from one of the most accomplished teams in school history. This year’s club will also benefit from four transfers who have played a combined 393 college basketball games over 14 seasons of experience. The transfers have a combined 3,978 points, 1,469 rebounds, and 754 assists.
It is difficult to compare experience levels across seasons, especially in this era of frequent transfers, but this will be one of the most experienced teams in many years.
The eight returning scholarship lettermen certainly had enough experience for an entire career last year. The Tigers finished with a 23-11 record, including 14-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The 14 wins broke a school record by three games. The .700 winning percentage was the thirdbest in Clemson history, and better than 11 of the previous 13 Clemson teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Clemson started 7-0 and 10-1 in the ACC last year and the seven consecutive league wins tied a school record that dated to 1967. The Tigers had six wins over teams that reached the NCAA Tournament, just one less than Clemson’s Sweet 16 team of 2018.
Many of the victories were in dominant fashion. The Tigers won eight ACC games by double digits and five of those were by at least 20 points. No other ACC team had as many league wins by that margin.
But at the end of the season, Clemson was denied a bid to the NCAA Tournament, a decision that was questioned by many of the national media, including Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale.
We review these facts because last year will be a motivator for those returning eight scholarship lettermen.
Depth should be one of the strengths of this year’s Tiger team. “This team has as much depth as we have had since the 2018 and 2021 teams,” said Brad Brownell, the winningest coach in Clemson history.
“Last year when we subbed, we were using true freshmen and, in some games, they were going against veteran players, and it was a challenge. But we only have one true freshman on the team this year.”
Clemson has 12 players who have played at least a full season of college basketball and eight who have played at least two years.
The Tigers should be strong on offense. As stated previously, this year’s squad has eight scholarship players returning from
the 2022-23 team that was the first in school history to shoot at least 46.0 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from threepoint range, and 78.0 percent from the foul line in the same year.
There are some areas where Brownell wants to see some improvement to take that extra step, so the NCAA Tournament committee has an easy decision on bid day.
“We have worked hard on rebounding and defense in the offseason. Hunter Tyson did a terrific job on the defensive boards last year (ranked second in the nation individually in defensive rebounds). We were second in the league in defensive rebounding percentage last year. Some players will have to step up in light of Tyson’s graduation.”
“We are always striving to improve on defense. We have players returning, but we have new players also and they must mesh defensively with our returning players.”
While there are many veterans returning, Brownell does have to replace two starters and one other transfer, Ben Middlebrooks, who played 383 minutes last year. Hunter Tyson and Brevin Galloway were the second and fourth leading scorers on the 2022-23 team, respectively.
Tyson came back for his fifth year, and it was among the best decisions by a Clemson Basketball player in the history of the program. The native of North Carolina was a First Team All-ACC selection as a small forward. He averaged a team-best 9.6 rebounds to go with a 15.3 scoring average. Additionally, he won the Skip Prosser Award as the league’s top all-around student-athlete. This past summer he was an early second-round selection of the Denver Nuggets.
Galloway averaged 11.2 points per game as a wing guard. He shot 87.0 percent from the foul line and added 76 rebounds and 73 assists. He is playing professionally overseas.
Tyson and Galloway provided outstanding leadership, especially Tyson who had been with the program for five years. Brownell will have to replace the intangibles Tyson provided, but he has veterans who can provide that role.
“Teams are better when they are player-led,” said Brownell. “It is a better situation when more than just the coaches can step in and challenge players. We had that last year because Hunter Tyson was so respected. He had a way of providing constructive criticism to his teammates.”
Chase Hunter and PJ Hall have been around the program for at least four years and Brownell feels they can provide that. “We look for Chase to provide that leadership, certainly along with PJ. He is growing as a leader, and is a very positive guy.”
BACKCOURT
Chase Hunter and Joseph Girard III are two experienced guards for Brownell’s team this year. Hunter played as a wing guard his first three years at Clemson, then moved to the point a year ago. “I am really proud of the progress Chase made last year and I think he is ready for another big season,” said Brownell.
“He developed confidence last year when he made the move to point guard. He really did a terrific job making that move. He finished with almost a 2:1 assist/ turnover ratio. We look for him to improve on that as he gets more and more time at the position.”
“His three-point shooting improved also. He has worked very hard on that. He did a really nice job of scoring when we needed it and running the team when we needed it.”
Girard III played 125 games, scored 1,652 points, and had 445 assists in his four years at Syracuse. Last year he averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 38.0 percent on three-point shots. His scoring average is first among returning ACC players. He comes to Clemson with 297 career-made three-point goals, already more than any Clemson player has ever made.
“Obviously Girard is an outstanding shooter, but he is also a very smart player. He knows how to play the game and has a competitive spirit about him.”
“After playing just about all zone at Syracuse he will have some things to learn when it comes to our system. We are
going to ask him to do things that are different from what he did at Syracuse. But he understands that. He has put in the time to be in tremendous shape.”
Alex Hemenway, Josh Beadle, and Dillon Hunter are three returning veterans in the backcourt. Hemenway is in his fifth year with the team and is ranked fifth in Clemson history in career three-point percentage with a .430 mark. He had an injury-plagued season a year ago when he missed 14 games with a foot injury, but he was still fifth on the team in scoring average at 6.9 per game.
Beadle is an athletic guard who is the quickest player on the team. He played in 33 of the 34 games, two as a starter, and averaged 2.3 points per contest.
Dillon Hunter is Chase’s younger brother and he provided depth off the bench in 33 games a year ago. He played nearly 400 minutes at point guard and had just 22 turnovers. His 40:22 assist/turnover ratio was second on the team to his brother.
Jake Heidbreder is another transfer who will help the backcourt position. A native of Indiana, he played 61 games in two years and scored 786 points at Air Force. He showed great improvement last year when he averaged 15.1 points per game. He is regarded as a versatile player who could move to a wing position. A transfer, he still has another year of eligibility after this season.
JOSEPH GIRARD III
ALEX HEMENWAY
JOSH BEADLE
DILLON HUNTER JAKE HEIDBREDER ANDREW LATIFF
MATT KELLY
FRONTCOURT
Certainly, the leader of the front court and in many ways, the team, is 6-10 center, PJ Hall. The senior from Spartanburg, S.C. averaged 15.3 points per game last year when he was a Third Team All-ACC selection. He improved in every area offensively as he shot 53.5 percent from the field, 40.0 percent on three-point shots, and 79.0 percent from the foul line. He was even better in ACC games with a 17.6 average, 54.0 percent from the field, and 83.0 percent from the line.
“PJ just completed a great offseason where he attended the NBA Combine. He benefitted from that experience, and it showed him some areas he needs to improve on, but also gave him more confidence. He showed great improvement in his 3-point shooting last year and has continued to work on it. He has also put in a lot of time working on using his left hand and rebounding.”
Ian Schieffelin is a second returning starter in the Clemson frontcourt. The 6-7 forward from Loganville, Ga. averaged 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last year when he started 22 games and averaged 20 minutes per game. Schieffelin is an outstanding passer who had 64 assists against just 37 turnovers last year.
“Ian is coming back from a broken finger on his shooting hand over the summer. He has worked hard on his 3-point shooting, but the broken finger slowed his progress this summer. We need him to hit some threes to stretch the defense like he did against NC State in the ACC Tournament last year (3-3). He is a competitive and physical player who is a very good passer.”
Speaking of NC State, Jack Clark was a starter for the Wolfpack last year but is now at Clemson for his final year of college basketball. The graduate student is in his fifth year of college basketball after playing three years at LaSalle, and last year at NC State. Clark averaged nine points and seven rebounds for the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament team last
year. Like Schieffelin, he missed some time this past summer (sports hernia) and is working hard on his 3-point shooting.
Two young, talented, Clemson forwards return from last season. RJ Godfrey and Chauncey Wiggins combined to play 731 minutes last year and had flashes of brilliance, flashes that Brownell expects to see more of this year.
“RJ and Chauncey have been healthy the entire offseason and they both add a lot of athleticism to our team. RJ is very competitive and did a good job finishing around the basket last year. He has been working hard at both ends on his play 15 feet and more from the basket.”
Wiggins might be the opposite in his offseason work. “Chauncey was a 40.0 percent 3-point shooter last year. He plays with more poise than most players his age. He sees the court because of his height when he is on the wing. He has been working hard to add some weight and strength and we challenged him to drive more to score on inside post moves.”
Godfrey averaged 3.2 points a game and led the team in field goal percentage at nearly 60.0 percent. Wiggins averaged 2.4 points a game last year but improved as the season went on. He connected on 48.0 percent of his 3-point shots in conference play.
Two new players, one a freshman and one a graduate, will also contribute to the frontcourt this year. Asa Thomas is a 6-8 true freshman from Lake Forest, Ill. who hopes to follow in the path of Hunter Tyson over the next few years. “Asa is a player who can help us at multiple positions. He played in a good league just north of Chicago and is the product of a good high school program.”
Bas Leyte is a 6-10 frontcourt player who comes to Clemson after four years at UNCG. He will provide an important role as backup to PJ Hall. Leyte averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds last year at UNCG and is a veteran of 121 college games at the Division I level. He has 640 points and 413 rebounds entering this season.
SCHEDULE
The Tigers will face a challenging schedule from November through the end of the regular season in March. The slate includes non-conference games against Alabama, South Carolina, UAB, and Memphis. Clemson also will face TCU in Toronto, Canada, Clemson’s first-ever basketball game in that country.
The ACC slate begins at Pittsburgh on Sunday, December 3. Three of the first four conference games are on the road,
including playing at the Panther program that went to the NCAA Tournament last year, and at last year’s Final Four Miami (Fla.) team on Jan. 3. Clemson’s only home game is the first four league games of the season is against North Carolina on Jan. 6.
Clemson’s 20 ACC games include two games each against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Miami (Fla.), and North Carolina.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
BY TIM BOURRET
SCHEDULE
THE CLEMSON TIGERS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ENTERS ITS 49th season in program history in 2023-24. #Team49 officially started practice in the last week of September. The team has plenty of new faces, but a culture of “TLC” (trust, loyalty, and commitment) has the Tigers primed to capitalize on what could be a special season.
THE SCHEDULE
The season will start with a three-game homestand in Littlejohn Coliseum for Team 49. The season tips off on Monday, November 6 against Winthrop, followed by Charleston Southern and Mercer on November 10 and 12, respectively. The non-conference schedule also features games against South Carolina (November 16), a three-game tournament in Houston against the likes of Mississippi State, Tulsa, and Arkansas Pine-Bluff (November 24-26), and a trip to Alabama where Clemson will play Auburn in the ACC/SEC Challenge (November 30).
ACC action commences on Thursday, December 7 in Littlejohn Coliseum when the Tigers will host Duke. Senior night is scheduled for Sunday, February 25 when the Miami Hurricanes come to Clemson, and the regular season finishes up on Sunday, March 3 when the Tigers travel to Tallahassee to take on Florida State. The ACC tournament will be played on March 6-10 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
THE COACHES
Amanda Butler enters her sixth season in charge of the Tigers. After leading Clemson to a 19-16 (7-11) record last season – a nine-win difference from 2021-22 – Butler now
sits at 299 career wins in her 17 seasons as a Division I head coach.
Joy Smith and Daniel Barber, both joined Butler’s staff at Clemson in 2018, return as assistant coaches this season. Darrick Gibbs brings 19 years of coaching experience, with eight seasons as a head coach, to the Tigers’ staff this year.
COACH BUTLER
Experience was a common theme for everyone who was asked about this season’s group. Coach Butler, entering her sixth season at the helm of the Clemson Women’s Basketball program, was no exception to that.
Following a successful season where she led the Tigers to 19 wins last year, Coach Butler emphasized her excitement about coaching a veteran group in Team 49. She emphasized how this year’s unique combination of athletes can make 2023-24’s team “the perfect storm” of people who have chosen Clemson at the right time and for the right reasons.
When asked about what those right reasons are, without hesitation, Coach Butler said, “We want TLC. This is who we are. Trust, loyalty, and commitment.” She also noted that she wants players who love their teammates and are willing to serve and lead.
What is another theme that Butler hopes drives the narrative of this year’s squad?
“Show up.”
She talked about how consistency is greater than intensity, and that showing up with elite readiness will not only define this team but will be a driving factor in taking this program to where it wants to go
THE PLAYERS
Clemson returns five players from last year’s team that won 19 games and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the WNIT. Among those returning five are graduate student Amari Robinson who was tabbed to the Second Team All-ACC, and 2023 ACC AllFreshman team selection Ruby Whitehorn.
The Tigers also return Makayla Elmore, Eno Inyang, and Madi Ott from last year’s group. Danielle Rauch, who served last year’s team as a graduate assistant (although she still had a year of eligibility), has decided to join the team as a player this season.
The transfer portal was kind to the Tigers this offseason as Clemson signed six players out of the portal. Maddi Cluse (Miami Ohio), Amani Freeman (Miami Ohio), Danna Grenald (New Mexico Junior College), Dayshanette Harris (Pittsburgh), Mackenzie Kramer (Lehigh), and Nya Valentine (Shelton State Community College) all enter their first season with the orange and purple.
Guards Kylee Kellerman and Bella Ranallo are the lone true freshmen on an uber-experienced Team 49.
THE TRANSFER
This year’s squad has so many unique points of view and the more you dive in, the more fascinating they become.
For example, Harris, a transfer guard who joins the Tigers after spending four seasons competing against them while at Pitt had this to say - “They were hard to beat,” the Youngstown, Ohio native also noted this about the Tigers“They’ve always had really good guards and Amari (Robinson) who was really dominant in the paint.”
Harris is a four-time ACC All-Academic Team member and was a staple for the Panthers during her time in Pennsylvania. She is a member of the 1,000-Point Club and reached 700 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in just 60 games –faster than any other Panther in program history.
After all of her success at Pitt, Harris decided to enter her name in the transfer portal. Harris mentioned that she found
common personality traits between her and Coach Butler, which ultimately led her to sign the dotted line to come to Clemson.
When asked what she thinks of the upcoming season and this year’s team, Harris immediately mentioned how much experience this squad has and believes that experience can help take this team to the next level. “I think that the way we practice each day and handle our business […] as long as we keep striving and doing what we know we’re capable of doing, I know we’ll accomplish our goals.”
THE
RETURNER
Amari Robinson returns for her fifth year with the Clemson Women’s Basketball program. Robinson, who’s been a mainstay in Butler’s teams, eclipsed the 1,000-point mark last season and became just the 16th Tiger in program history to join the 1,000-point/500 rebound club.
She’s seen a lot during her time at Clemson.
“This year’s team is different than any other team I’ve seen at Clemson,” Robinson said. She also harped on the team’s experience and said that experience will help elevate Team 49’s game. She also said that the talent level is different than any other team she’s been on. “Instead of having one person or two people putting all the weight on their shoulders, everyone can contribute and everyone has something valuable to add to what we’re already doing.”
The complementary skill sets on this team are vital to where the Tigers' hopes aim to go after a breakout 2022-23 season.
After speaking on how the team’s talent gels together, Robinson went on to say that she would like to see that translate into success on the court.
“We hope to win more games this year,” the all-conference forward stated. “We’ve already been on that incline of having more success. Rather than being in the WNIT, hopefully, we can win that one or two more games to get to the next step."
NEWCOMERS
MADDI CLUSE
AMANI FREEMAN DANNA GRENALD DAYSHANETTE HARRIS
AMARI ROBINSON
RUBY WHITEHORN
INYANG
DANIELLE RAUCH
MAKAYLA ELMORE
MADI OTT
AMANDA BUTLER HEAD COACH
TEAM ONE: THE INAUGURAL YEAR
BY CARSON RILEY
ON JUNE 17, 2021, CLEMSON ATHLETICS ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF the Tigers’ gymnastics program. Less than a year later, Clemson Director of Athletics Graham Neff announced Amy Smith, a UCLA graduate, as the program’s first head coach and the Clemson University Board of Trustees approved a $37 million expansion plan for gymnastics in conjunction with the lacrosse and rowing programs, to vault the gymnastics program off the ground.
Building a program from the ground up isn’t easygymnastics marks the third women’s sport added by Clemson in the last five years and will begin less than a year after lacrosse had its inaugural season in the spring of 2023. The Tigers found their leader in former UCLA All-American and National Champion, Smith, who spent five seasons as the head coach at Utah State before taking on the reins of the Tiger program. Familiar with the ACC after spending five seasons as both an assistant coach and assistant head coach at North Carolina, Smith was ready for the challenge of bringing a National Championship to a program that has yet to have someone compete. With over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience at places that include Utah State, North Carolina, UCLA, Missouri, Florida, and Kentucky, Smith knows what it takes to compete at a high level.
"To be given this incredible opportunity to lead Clemson's very first gymnastics team is an absolute dream come true," said Smith. "It is a distinct honor that I do not take lightly."
“I hope to leave an impact at Clemson by finding studentathletes that feel just how special Clemson is and want to leave their impact by building this team into one of the premier programs in the nation as quickly as we can.”
Assisting Smith in building the program is Erik Lewis. Lewis followed Smith after working closely with her for four years as an assistant coach and, eventually, her assistant head coach at Utah State. Lewis coached the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championship during the 2022 season. With his guidance, gymnasts at Utah State achieved the highest single-season average and National Qualifying Score (NQS) on the uneven bars for the program. Rebecca Wells - an all-around who transferred to Clemson and is a member of the inaugural 2022 signing class - was the 2022 MRGC All-Around Champion and Brie Clark - another
transfer apart of the inaugural class - achieved the highest floor NQS the Aggies have produced under Lewis’ guidance.
With the addition of a new sport, Coaches Smith and Lewis knew that the transfer portal was going to be crucial for their initial signing class. Six transfers from Utah State, which includes Wells and Clark, found their new home at Clemson during the 2022-23 academic year. These six believed in the vision that Smith and Lewis aim to build at Clemson and were willing to spend an entire year training before the actual competition begins this winter. Molly Arnold, Trinity Brown, Brie Clark, Eve Jackson, Kielyn McCright, and Rebecca Wells brought collegiate experience to the first Clemson roster during the 2022 signing period. Less than a month later, the Tigers inked their first incoming freshman by signing Lilly Lippeatt as the seventh and final athlete to the first Clemson Gymnastics roster.
“Being a part of the inaugural team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I cannot say how grateful I am for this experience,” said Wells. “The lasting legacy we get to create and the culture we have been establishing since day one is something we will be able to look back and see our impact on. This team is special, and we are blessed to do this together in an exceptional place like Clemson. Being a part of Team Zero was an experience I would not trade for the world, and I cannot wait for fans to see what Team One has planned.”
After the initial signing class spent the 2022-23 year studying and training, Smith looked ahead to the second set of signees needed to foster a complete roster for the inaugural competition season. She added her first set of 2023 signees last November by adding Takoda Berry, Kate Bryant, and Quinn Kuhl. Berry (Newport Beach, Calif.), a two-time U.S. Developmental team member and two-time National Qualifier, joined the Tigers as an eight-time bars champion. Bryant (Littleton, Colo.) was a 2022 Junior Olympic National Qualifier and five-time team captain while being a 202122 Level 10 Regional Qualifier. Kuhl (Holly Springs, N.C.) boasts an impressive gymnastics resume with three national qualifications (2019 Development Program, 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup, and 2021 Development Program) and a CGN 4-star recruit ranking.
Smith added three additional signees in April with the addition of Maggie Holman, Lily Kurrack, and Grace LaCrosse. Holman (Raleigh, N.C.) is a North Carolina Vault State Champion, a two-time national qualifier, and a 13-time All-Around champion. Kurrack (Tampa, Fla.) made a splash in 2022 by being a Junior Olympic National Qualifier and earning second in the All-Around at Regionals, while also being a three-time regional qualifier. Rounding out the April signees was LaCrosse (Lake Zurich, Ill.), who was a two-time USAG Level 10 State qualifier, a Level 10 Regional qualifier, and the 2020 Bars champion for her conference.
“From the moment I got to Clemson, it has felt like home!” said Holman. “The coaching staff was amazing during the recruiting process and played a big part in why I chose Clemson. Being part of a new gymnastics program is so special, and I am grateful to be a member of the process. I cannot wait to make history during the 2023-24 season with this team!”
Smith completed the 2023-24 roster by inking three, Sierra Church, Kaitlin DeGuzman, and Lauren Rutherford, in June. Church is a 2023 USAG Level 10 National Qualifier, a North Carolina Academic Scholar, a North Carolina Scholar Athlete, and a Nike Positive Athlete Award recipient from Lincolnton, N.C. DeGuzman transferred from Kentucky where she posted a career-high 9.925 on bars at NCAA Regionals, won the uneven bars three times during her career, and posted a 9.80 on both floor and beam. The Dallas, Texas native was also a SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll member and twotime Scholastic All-American. The final signee is Rutherford who transferred from NC State. The Roswell, Ga. native was
a 2023 EAGL All-Tournament First Team selection on floor, All-Tournament Second Team on vault and bars, and a 2023 All-EAGL Second Team honoree on floor. She was named to the All-EAGL Scholastic Team and a WCGA Academic AllAmerican.
With a roster in place, the new Tigers are chomping at the bit to hit the floor for their first season. Following the Board of Trustees approval, in January 2022, Clemson broke ground on its new state-of-the-art practice facility in December of last year. The 21,000-square-foot space will be home to the day-to-day operations and practice facility for the Tigers. The gymnastics complex will include a practice gym, offices, locker room, lounge, and training room.
For competition, the Tigers will call Littlejohn Coliseum home. The 9,000-seat venue will mark the stage for Clemson’s inaugural year as the Tigers join Pitt, NC State, and North Carolina as the ACC’s fourth gymnastics program, making it an official league sport.
This inaugural season is about creating a foundation that a legacy can be built upon for years to come. As Clemson introduces its first team, the Tigers look forward to competing in front of fans. Season ticket requests are now being accepted through the athletic ticket office. Fans are encouraged to get their requests in now to catch Team One and have a chance to compete for not only an ACC Championship but for an NCAA Championship. IPTAY members should also keep an eye out for ‘Building Legends’ on Clemson+ for an exclusive behindthe-scenes look at the gymnastics program leading into its first competition season.
“I very much look forward to giving the amazing Clemson community and fan base another team to get behind and be proud of,” Smith said with a smile.
THE TEAM
MOLLY ARNOLD Redshirt
TRINITY BROWN
BRIE CLARK
JACKSON
Redshirt
Redshirt
TAKODA BERRY SIERRA CHURCH KATE BRYANT
KAITLIN DE GUZMAN MAGGIE HOLMAN DELANEY FISHER
QUINN KUHL
GRACE LACROSSE
KURRACK
MADISON MINNER LAUREN RUTHERFORD
LILLY LIPPEATT
MCCRIGHT REBECCA WELLS
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE & WELLNESS CENTER
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE &
WELLNESS
CENTER AND JERVEY GYM RENOVATIONS
Athletic Performance & Wellness Center Project
Clemson University Athletics has unveiled an expansive vision for its upcoming renovations, featuring a cuttingedge 55,000 square-foot facility that is set to revolutionize the training and wellness experience for student-athletes. With a commitment to providing the best resources and environment for its athletes, Clemson is poised to set a new standard in collegiate sports facilities. The centerpiece of this initiative is the remarkable Strength & Conditioning Center, equipped with cutting-edge amenities designed to propel athletes to their peak performance. This center will include a 40-yard dash area, providing a space for speed and agility training that is crucial across various sports disciplines.
In alignment with its commitment to comprehensive athlete well-being, Clemson’s new facility will house an innovative Wellness & Recovery Space. This space will offer a range of advanced features such as Cryo Therapy, Sensory Deprivation, Theralight, and HydroMassage, all aimed at aiding athletes in their physical recovery and mental rejuvenation. The Hydrotherapy & Recovery Pools, complete with Hot/Cold Plunge Pools, an Underwater Treadmill, and a Custom Lap Pool, further exemplify the university’s dedication to providing state-of-the-art resources for athletes’ recuperation and rehabilitation.
The new facility will also house a state-of-the-art Sports Medicine Clinic, boasting dedicated Exam and Procedure Rooms to ensure swift and comprehensive medical care for athletes. A Gatorade Fuel Bar and Sports Nutrition Services will cater to athletes’ dietary needs, while the Bistro & Outdoor Patio, featuring a Full Service Kitchen, will offer a relaxing and nourishing environment for posttraining relaxation and socialization.
Furthermore, Clemson’s focus on sustainable and modern design is evident throughout the renovation plans. Elements like electrochromatic glass, circadian lighting, and UV sterilization highlight the university’s commitment to creating an environmentally conscious and health-promoting space. The innovative repurposing of reclaimed white oak trees from Lot 5 for furniture and wall treatments adds a touch of authenticity and sustainability to the design. With a construction schedule spanning from December 2023 to February 2025, these renovations stand as a testament to Clemson University Athletics’ dedication to nurturing both athletic prowess and overall well-being among its student-athletes.
Clemson Athletics Performance and Wellness Project Highlights:
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE & WELLNESS CENTER PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
55,000 Square Foot New Building
Strength & Conditioning Center including a 40-yard dash
55,000 Square Foot New Building
Wellness & Recovery Space including Cryo Therapy, Sensory Deprivation, Theralight, HydroMassage, etc
Strength & Conditioning Center including a 40-yard dash
Wellness & Recovery Space including Cryo Therapy, Sensory Deprivation, Theralight, HydroMassage, etc
Hydrotherapy & Recovery Pools including Hot/Cold Plunge Pools, Underwater Treadmill & Custom Lap Pool
Sports Medicine Clinic with Exam and Procedure Rooms
Gatorade Fuel Bar and Sports Nutrition Services
Bistro & Outdoor Patio including Full Service Kitchen
Hydrotherapy & Recovery Pools including Hot/Cold Plunge Pools, Underwater Treadmill & Custom Lap Pool
Sports Medicine Clinic with Exam and Procedure Rooms
Sustainable & Modern Design efforts currently include electrochromatic glass, circadian lighting and UV sterilization
Gatorade Fuel Bar and Sports Nutrition Services
Bistro & Outdoor Patio including Full Service Kitchen
Strong Focus on recycled and natural materials including the repurposing of reclaimed white oak trees from Lot 5 for furniture and wall treatments
Sustainable & Modern Design efforts currently include electrochromatic glass, circadian lighting and UV sterilization
Construction Schedule: December 2023 to February 2025
Strong Focus on recycled and natural materials including the repurposing of reclaimed white oak trees from Lot 5 for furniture and wall treatments
Construction Schedule: December 2023 to February 2025
Jervey Gym Renovation Project
Clemson University is embarking on a transformative journey with the newly announced renovations for Jervey Gym, a project poised to redefine the athletic experience for both athletes and fans alike. This ambitious undertaking encompasses a comprehensive 35,000-square-foot renovation that extends to the basement and gym area, demonstrating the university’s commitment to fostering excellence in athletics. One of the most striking elements of this renovation is the raising of the Jervey Gym Roof by an impressive 12 feet, surpassing NCAA minimum height standards and thereby enhancing the space’s functionality and modernity.
In line with Clemson’s dedication to providing the best facilities, the renovation plan includes a holistic overhaul. This encompasses the replacement of the gym’s flooring, bleacher seating, audio systems, lighting fixtures, scoreboard, and videoboard, ensuring that both athletes and spectators experience top-tier comfort and technological advancements. The addition of the Premium Ace’s Club overlooking the gym exemplifies the university’s commitment to creating a premier environment for fans, allowing them to enjoy the games from a vantage point of luxury and excitement. Moreover, the dedicated lobby and improved fan amenities, such as concessions and restrooms, will enhance the overall game day experience.
Athlete-centric upgrades are a focal point of this renovation, evident in the tailored spaces for various sports. The new Volleyball Suite, complete with a team meeting room, lounge, locker room, and student-athlete amenities, underscores Clemson’s commitment to nurturing excellence within its sports programs. The Track & Field Locker Room & Lounge enhancements, spanning lockers, lighting, and graphics, provide athletes with a space designed to inspire and empower their performance.
Virtual Facility Tour
Scan the QR code above to view the Virtual Facility Tour of the Athletic Performance & Wellness Center!
As construction commences in November 2023, spanning two phases, the project is projected to be completed by February 2025. Clemson University’s renovations for Jervey Gym stand as a testament to its unwavering dedication to both the athletes and the fans, fostering an atmosphere of excellence and innovation that will undoubtedly shape the future of collegiate athletics.
Jervey Gym Renovation Highlights:
JERVEY GYM RENOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:
35,000 Square Foot Renovation of basement and gym
35,000 Square Foot Renovation of basement and gym
Raising of Jervey Gym Roof by 12’ to exceed NCAA minimum heights
Raising of Jervey Gym Roof by 12’ to exceed NCAA minimum heights
Replacement of flooring, bleacher seating, audio, lighting, scoreboard and videoboard
Premium Ace’s Club overlooking Jervey Gym
Replacement of flooring, bleacher seating, audio, lighting, scoreboard and videoboard
Dedicated Lobby and improved fan amenities including concessions and restrooms
Dedicated Lobby and improved fan amenities including concessions and restrooms
New Volleyball Suite including team meeting room, lounge, locker room and student-athlete amenities
Premium Ace’s Club overlooking Jervey Gym
Renovated West Lobby entrance to Jervey Facilities
Track & Field Locker Room & Lounge improvements including lockers, lighting, and graphics
Renovated West Lobby entrance to Jervey Facilities
New Volleyball Suite including team meeting room, lounge, locker room and student-athlete amenities
Construction Schedule: November 2023 to August 2024; November 2024 to February 2025
Track & Field Locker Room & Lounge improvements including lockers, lighting, and graphics
Construction Schedule: November 2023 to August 2024; November 2024 to February 2025
A variety of naming opportunities are available at the new Athletic Performance & Wellness Center. To learn more please contact Director of IPTAY Major Gifts, Lauren Gaulin, at lgaulin@clemson.edu or (864) 656-2608
2023 BOND DISTINGUISHED ATHLETES AWARD RECIPIENT
FORMER CLEMSON FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETE RECEIVES AWARD PRESENTED BY MARGARET BOND
BY BROOKE ROBBINS
DISTINGUISHED
THE BOND DISTINGUISHED ATHLETES AWARD WAS CREATED TEN YEARS ago by Margaret Segars Bond (’84) and her late husband, former Clemson golfer, Steve Bond (’80). The couple wanted to leave a legacy that would not only honor student-athlete alumni, but one that would also recognize them for success measured off the field of athletic competition.
family were ecstatic to be a part of it all.
ATHLETES AWARD RECIPIENT
Each year, the award is symbolized by a customized gold ring, an engraved plaque prominently displayed at the Nieri Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, and game day recognition at Memorial Stadium. In order to qualify for the award, recipients must have lettered in a sport and be more than ten years graduated. The recipients are also considered for their great character, citizenship, and service to both Clemson and their community.
JIMMY BELL
“Carrying Steve’s legacy and commitment to Clemson forward has been an incredible honor,” said Margaret. “He would be proud to know that our vision from a decade ago has grown and continued to add value to the greater community of Clemson Athletics and Clemson University.”
BY BROOKE ROBBINS
This year’s award winner, Dr. Jimmy Bell, is a shining example of a Tiger who has gone on to become an incredible difference-maker in the lives of others.
“I can’t believe it has been 10 years since this award was established,” said Margaret. “The recipients and their families are amazing people. Dr. Jimmy Bell is the newest addition to this incredible circle of friends I’ve made over the years. He certainly has the qualities Steve and I set out to honor. Jimmy’s loving and giving nature to Clemson, his family, and his community made him a home run selection for the 2023 Bond Distinguished Athletes Award.”
After an exciting weekend of recognition on campus during Homecoming, Bell was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be this year’s recipient. From being presented with a customized ring, to talking on the Tiger Tailgate Show, to being personally recognized by President Clements, to seeing his tribute on the Memorial Stadium video board, Bell and his
“I’ve been reading emails and messages all day,” said Bell. “Emails and messages from friends who saw us or are saying that they read the article, and even my daughters and granddaughters who were with me are receiving messages from friends.” He also fondly noted that his daughters had the opportunity to run down the hill for the first time and be a part of a treasured Clemson tradition.
Bell was a pre-med student at Clemson and a scholarship recipient as a Clemson Football student-athlete, graduating in 1965 and continuing his education at the Medical University of South Carolina to ultimately achieve a Doctor of Medicine degree.
When asked about his time at Clemson as a studentathlete, Bell recalled a few different things that stood out as highlights. “It was one of the best times of my life,” he said. “I met all of these new teammates on the freshman team who have become lifelong friends.”
While at Clemson, Bell was named an Academic AllAmerican and served as class president during his sophomore and junior years, as well as student body president during his
AWARD RECIPIENTS
senior year. As a student, he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Service Award and The Norris Medal. Years later, he received a second Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Coker College for his service to his community.
Bell was instrumental in the Clemson Student Government and passionate about serving. He remembers the significance of Clemson’s decision to desegregate the university and make all students of different backgrounds and races feel welcome. “One of the best things we ever did was desegregate Clemson,” he shared. In 1963, Harvey Gantt was admitted to Clemson University’s College of Architecture as the first African-American student. Bell spoke fondly of the memories from his days in the Student Government, helping voice the mission to make all feel welcome at the institution.
Upon graduating, he completed an internship at Charlotte Memorial Hospital prior to entering the United States Air Force where he served his country while also completing his family medicine training at the U.S. Air Force Pediatric Clinic.
In 2020, Bell was a recipient of the highest honor the Clemson University Alumni Association bestows upon former students; the Distinguished Service Award. He has served on the Clemson Alumni Council and Clemson University Board of Visitors while continuing to pay it forward to Clemson student-athletes as a lifelong IPTAY donor.
Throughout his career, Bell took on several leadership roles to serve the medical community including chief of staff, chief of medicine, and chairman of intensive care at Carolina Pines. He also served as a member of the hospital board.
Prior to working at Carolina Pines, he and a partner started a rural health clinic in the early 1980s and practiced there until 2002. His inspiration to practice medicine in Hartsville, S.C. stemmed from a lack of medical professionals in rural Southern communities. He received the Pioneer Award for Rural Health Service in South Carolina and holds the distinction of Physician of the Year for rural medicine in South Carolina.
Serving his community, he also was on the Hartsville City Council for ten years and a founding member of the local YMCA. He was instrumental in the founding of Heritage Community Bank and served as director of the Bank of Hartsville, Hartsville Community Bank, and the Advisory Board of South Carolina Federal. He has been a Coker College team physician and member of the Board of Trustees and is a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award presented by Governor Nikki Haley.
As a member of First Baptist Church, he served as a deacon and participated in six mission trips to medical clinics in Trinidad, West Indies. Additionally, he served as a member of the State Vocational Rehabilitation Board in District 6 and has been both president and board chairman for the South Carolina Academy of Family Medicine.
After retiring last year, Bell has enjoyed spending more time in Hartsville with his wife, Nancy. Together they share three children: a son, James, who is deceased, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Andrea – both of whom live in Hartsville. His desire to serve has remained strong, and shortly after retirement he agreed to help a few days a week at the Mercy Free Medical Clinic; a facility meant to serve those who do not have the resources or access to affordable healthcare. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and staying involved in the events and fundraising efforts at his church in addition to spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Two of his granddaughters are currently at Clemson and are fifth-generation Tigers, dating back to when his grandfather graduated from the university in 1896, followed by his father in 1928.
A Clemson Family through and through, Dr. Bell’s lifetime of service and commitment to being a positive contributor in the lives of others has generated an indisputable, far-reaching impact that will be felt for years to come.
MAVEN BASEBALL
FORMER CLEMSON BASEBALL PLAYER, TYLER KRIEGER, USES TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT.
BY JORDAN ROPER
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS, INNOVATION, AND TRADITION OFTEN COME into conflict with each other. However, a former Clemson Baseball player is bridging the gap, bringing technology and traditional coaching methods together at Maven Baseball Lab in Atlanta, Georgia.
Co-founder of Maven Baseball Lab, Tyler Krieger, a former Clemson second baseman and shortstop, discovered his passion for baseball mechanics and player development during his formative years as a player. During his career, Krieger held a batting average of .312 with a .404 on-base percentage in 180 games (180 starts) over three seasons with the Tigers. The two-time All-ACC second-team infielder was drafted in the fourth round (No. 124 overall pick) by the Cleveland Indians. Krieger’s passion for player development stemmed from other prominent figures in athletic development. Marcus Elliot, the founder and director of P3, a data-driven sports performance company, gave Kreiger the inspiration to use cutting-edge technology to improve player performance. His former coaches, Craig Wallenbrock, a former swing coach, and Hall of Famer Jack Leggett, former Clemson Baseball head coach, drove him to take the principles they taught him and work them back into his business of helping players improve. Today, Krieger has successfully integrated both technological and traditional methods to establish Maven Baseball Lab.
Krieger and his team have mastered both technology and analytics while seamlessly integrating these insights into fundamental coaching methods. Through these insights, Maven Baseball Lab is able to create a unique approach for each new player who walks through the doors. Krieger explains:
"We are able to capture the player's swings and pitching mechanics. We then use objective data to produce prescriptive player plans. We digest the information and use our subject matter expertise to provide feedback on how the player should adjust and continue to improve."
Maven Baseball Lab’s advanced technology provides players with a unique and comprehensive training experience. Along with their advanced training programs, Maven Baseball also provides a supportive environment that encourages healthy player development. The data team directs the system to target specific areas and movements they aim to measure. The team does not depend on data to dictate their values, but instead uses their technology system to guide their focus areas. With this strategy, the Maven Baseball team has been able to “understand how to relay information better to players, but not get [the players] too bogged down by the overcomplicating swinging or pitching data.” Maven Baseball Lab’s ability to balance old-school and new-school
approaches is a key factor in its recent success in elevating the performance of professional baseball players.
Maven Baseball has seen their efforts in the lab directly impact players’ performance on the field, with a prime example being Atlanta Braves first baseman, Matt Olson. Krieger and the rest of the Maven team have worked hard during the offseason with Olson in perfecting his swing. Now, Olson has hit 53 home runs so far this season, setting the Braves home run record in just a single season. Krieger reflects on the success of the program and his superstar client as he states, “I would say that would probably be one of the most rewarding things is being able to watch him do what he’s done over the course of the year after making some really cool offseason adjustments . . . It’s been very interesting and fun to watch.” Matt Olson is just the start of Maven Baseball Lab’s journey, as they’ve welcomed numerous other Major League players into their fold.
MLB All-Star and former Tiger, Spencer Strider, also uses Maven Baseball Lab to improve his game. Breaking Randy Johnson’s record as the fastest pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts in a season, and a record of 483 strikeouts in just two years, Strider’s use of Maven Baseball Lab is a perfect example of the impact the lab has on current and future players. Strider came into contact with Maven Baseball Lab during his time playing in AA baseball. “I can't even imagine, when I was at Clemson, if we had access to this technology what we would have been able to achieve,” says Strider. “I think that getting these guys involved with Clemson Baseball is going to be just instrumental for the program.”
The top baseball teams in today’s game are using technology and software for player development and assessments. Maven Baseball will give Clemson the opportunity to use its advanced technology to attract top recruits from across the country. This will allow Clemson to evaluate athletes and their skills, while also improving the individual skills of players and the team as a unit. As Maven Baseball continues to move the game forward, they are committed to ongoing growth by expanding its database and maintaining collaborations with both college and professional athletes. Under the direction of head coach Erik Bakich and his staff, Maven Baseball Lab’s technology will give Clemson Baseball a unique advantage. Through the incredible generosity of Jim and Candace Brown’s former player match of up to $200,000 to Clemson Baseball, the Tigers will have the opportunity to stay at the forefront of college baseball. For more information about supporting Clemson Baseball and their utilization of Maven Baseball Lab, please contact Jordan Roper at 864-656-9492 or jaroper@clemson.edu.
IPTAY Memorials
MR. ARTHUR LACHICOTTE, JR. passed away April 24, 2022. • He was an IPTAY member for 74 years.
MS. ELIZABETH RHEA passed away June, 6 2022. • She was an IPTAY member for 74 years.
MR. WILLIAM STURGIS passed away July 1, 2022. • He was an IPTAY member for 63 years.
MR. THOMAS HAMRICK passed away August 12, 2022. • He was an IPTAY member for 79 years.
MS. MARY ANN NORRIS passed away November 27, 2022. • She was an IPTAY member for 83 years.
MR. CHARLES SWEARINGEN passed away December 31, 2022. • He was an IPTAY member for 79 years.
MR. JOHNNY CAGLE passed away January 18, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 53 years.
MR. RICHARD RABURN passed away March 7, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 47 years.
MR. CARL LEWIS, JR. passed away April 9, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 62 years.
MR. BILLY BLAKENEY passed away May 5, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 56 years.
MR. DEAN HALEDJIAN passed away May 15, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 4 years.
MR. RALPH BOWICK passed away June 6, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 65 years.
MS. SARA SMITH passed away June 14, 2023. • She was an IPTAY member for 67 years.
MR. WILLIAM MCKAIN, JR. passed away June 15, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 43 years.
MR. LADDIE HILLER passed away June 15, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 76 years.
MRS. SANDRA HANN passed away June 26, 2023. • She was an IPTAY member for 8 years.
MR. HAROLD JONES, JR. passed away June 26, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 71 years.
MRS. BETTY CHREITZBERG passed away June 29, 2023. • She was an IPTAY member for 71 years.
MR. RONALD LITTLEFIELD, SR. passed away July 14, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 49 years.
MS. HAILEY ORISTIAN passed away August 9, 2023. • She was an IPTAY member for 4 years.
MR. KENNETH SHULER, SR. passed away August 11, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 73 years.
MR. GARY BARNES passed away August 15, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 37 years.
MR. DONALD GOLIGHTLY passed away September 6, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 58 years.
MR. TORRENCE HANNER, JR. passed away September 7, 2023. • He was an IPTAY member for 54 years.
MRS. JANE HUNTER passed away September 14, 2023. • She was an IPTAY member for 82 years.
TIGER CHEERLEADERS
CHEERLEADERS
FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT) - CATY JACKSON, KELLY WEBER, AIYANA WRIGHT, DEVIN WOODS, ERIN HOOVER, MAIA ISHIKAWA. SECOND ROW - REESE RITCHIE, ANSLEY DREW, CAMERON McWHORTER, TRINITY STEWART, MATTISON WATSON, SYDNEY GORDON, KYRA FRINGER, SIERRA PICHT. THIRD ROW - MARY LILY VALENTINE, HALEY PRICE, SOPHIA GIZZI, MADDIE KULIS, KENZIE SCHILHAB, BROOKLYN EASLER, AVA DeSTEFON. BACK ROW - WHITNEY LEE, IZZY HAGEMAN, HAYDEN WOOD, TRYNITI DIAZ, RYAN CUMMINGS, ELLIE ZILKER, MAGGIE LANG, EMILY SantiANNA.
FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT) - TATUM LORCH, ANIYA WILSON, ALLIE ENRIGHT, ANNA LARSON BRADY, TENEIA HOWARD, NATALIE FRIZZERA. SECOND ROW - DEVIN NORRIS, HENDRIX SMITH, RIVER SNEED, SULLIVAN HOLTON, DAVID RUSH, JOHN MATHEWS. THIRD ROW - McKINLEY STATEN, CHELSEA McQUARRIE, LILY CALABRESE, ANNA REID WELBORN, VICTORIA FELDER, MIA BALTRUN, NAVAEH GREENE. BACK ROW - JERRON RICHBURG, GALEN LEE, COLTON PEREYO, JACKSON WEEKS, HAAK CHESSHIR, BARRETT KENNY, EVAN JONES. NOT PICTURED - CALEB DAVIS.
A FIRST FOR TIGER BAND
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CLEMSON HISTORY, TIGER BAND HAS A FEMALE ASSISTANT BAND DIRECTOR, EMILY HAMLYN.
BY TYRELL FLESHMAN & LANEY MIDGLEY
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CLEMSON HISTORY, TIGER BAND HAS A female assistant band director, Emily Hamlyn, who hails from Hendersonville, Tenn. and comes from a family of musicians.
Her father is a middle school band director, her mother is a percussionist and elementary school music teacher and her sister is an oboe student at North Texas.
Hamlyn attended Alabama and majored in music education and horn. She was a member of the Million Dollar Band, Pep Band and concert band. She enjoyed immersing herself into the culture and learned about leadership skills, how to work and function in a large leadership team and understanding her purpose, role and how she can contribute.
From that experience, she wanted to continue to work with athletic bands and concert bands, and she accepted a graduate teaching assistantship at Kentucky. While there, she majored in wind band conducting, with responsibilities in the athletic band logistics and operations. It taught her a lot about the functions of the college marching program. She conducted some amazing bands and had great mentors
during that time, and she was inspired to give college band teaching a shot.
“More than anything else, it’s the traditions,” said Hamlyn when asked what drew her to Clemson. “There’s such a deep tradition of band at the high level at Clemson. There’s an element of joy within Clemson’s band, too. Being in Alabama’s band, I faced Clemson twice, and it was great to meet everyone and talk to everyone. Having those little band hangouts that we were able to have during the bowl games were always great with Tiger Band.
“I always knew in the back of my mind that, regardless of the rivalry, Clemson has a good band and Clemson has really nice people. When the job came open, I knew this was a good community to be a part of.”
In addition to duties as the assistant director of Tiger Band (along with Director Mark Spede and Associate Director Tim Hurlburt), Hamlyn also teaches horn, music appreciation and theory classes for the Department of Performing Arts, conducts the Concert Band and assists with Basketball Pep Band.
WHAT IS THE IPTAY REP PROGRAM?
The IPTAY REP program is critical to the growth of IPTAY. From its inception, The REP volunteer program was designed to solicit new members and put the best foot forward for Clemson. As IPTAY continues to move into the future, it is important that each of us play a role in growing our membership, raising the funds for athletic scholarships, new and upgraded facilities, the Neiri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, strength and conditioning, nutrition services, life skills and more. The foundation of the REP volunteer program is to help retain current donors of IPTAY, engage new and prospective donors, and promote the IPTAY mission.
The role of an IPTAY REP is important to the success of the “One-IPTAY” enterprise. For IPTAY to continue to meet the demands of the increasing education costs, IPTAY Representatives must be willing to:
RETAIN: Help keep current IPTAY member active with their donations and involvement.
ENGAGE: Assist IPTAY in the engagement of current and prospective donors.
PROMOTE: Promote the IPTAY mission in their communities.
“The IPTAY REP program is Clemson at its finest, and I love having the opportunity to be involved as a team leader. It is a grassroots program of people who want to share their passion for the Tigers by helping others navigate donating, ticketing, and parking strategies,” said IPTAY REP and Team Leader, Bill Tumblin.
BENEFITS OF CONNECTING
WITH AN IPTAY REP:
A local, personal contact with another donor who has received training and helpful information to assist in answering donor questions.
Someone who can connect you with the necessary IPTAY staff members to answer questions you have specific to seating/ticketing availability, premium seat opportunities, parking, recurring gift payments, and more.
Someone else with a personal, vested interest to connect with for quick answers about membership deadlines, ticketing timelines, and other pertinent information.
Invitations to local IPTAY donor or Clemson Club hosted events such as viewing parties, networking/social hours, and opportunities for fellowship with other Clemson faithful featuring guest speakers from Clemson Athletics and IPTAY.
Hello Tigers,
AS I ENTER MONTH FOUR OF MY TWO-YEAR STINT SERVING AS your IPTAY Board President, I’m very often asked what our focus is going to be during my term. There isn’t any secret that collegiate athletics is a rapidly changing landscape, and along with that change will be our financial support of Clemson Athletics and our strategy to continue to be the best athletic fundraising group in the country. From providing scholarships to our 550 student-athletes, to financially supporting the operational and capital needs of our athletic department to enable us to continue to compete at the highest level for championships. Most importantly, your support of IPTAY plays a significant role in developing our student-athletes to become the best holistic version of themselves beyond the court, track, or field.
To me, there are two main strategic initiatives we need to prioritize. The first is your gameday experience. I write this following our Homecoming weekend, and experiencing our uniquely Clemson environment is very simply put, special. In a video that many of you have seen on social media, as well as played pregame on our scoreboard (Google it, it’s worth 3 minutes of your day today for some chill bumps and maybe a couple of tears…I promise!), President Clements closes the video by making a simple statement regarding the Clemson experience, “it’s hard to describe, but easy to feel. And no matter where life takes you, you can always come back home”. And I know that all of you just said yep, and are nodding in agreement. We’ll continue to be vigilant in evolving and enhancing your gameday experience every time you make your way back “home” for a sporting event.
The other area of immediate focus will be growing our athletic scholarship endowment. Many of peer schools have built their endowments over decades, enough that most or all the student athlete’s scholarships are funded annually through them. We’re not close to being able to do that yet, as
we depend on your annual donations to support our studentathletes' needs academically and athletically first, followed by other financial needs of those that wear the orange. In my lifetime, I’d love to see that change as we build our endowment to a level that can be a sustained powerhouse that will compare favorably against anyone we go up against.
We have work to do on both of those critical initiatives, but knowing the Clemson Family as I do, there isn’t any question we’ll ultimately be successful. An aligned and united Clemson has always proven to be unstoppable.
REMEMBERING DON GOLIGHTLY
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a minute to remember the legacy and acknowledge the impact that one of our former IPTAY Board members and Past Presidents had on Clemson University and IPTAY. On September 6th, one of our absolute best Tigers, Don Golightly, passed away. He and his wife Gale were fixtures at Clemson events over the years, and always leading with a quick story about their son Cam, his wife Virginia, and his granddaughter (and the pride of Gale and Don) Evie.
His example of service to his family, friends, community, and Clemson University is remarkable. His involvement with IPTAY started after he graduated from Clemson in 1967, and became an IPTAY Representative in 1975, a role that he held for the rest of his life. Don served as the Greater Columbia Clemson Club President (1979 and 1980), the National Alumni Association President (1992 and 1993), and our IPTAY Board of Directors President (2006 and 2007). He was awarded the highest distinction possible for a Clemson graduate as he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award in 1995.
His lifelong service to others extended beyond his beloved university as he made a significant impact on his hometown of Columbia, as well as the state of South Carolina. A highly accomplished architect, he led the South Carolina Chapter
for the American Institute of Architects and served on Clemson’s College of Architecture Foundation. Don served on multiple boards in and around the midlands – from the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia Art Museum, to his lifelong Church, St. Mark United Methodist Church
I initially met Don nearly 30 years ago. In 1994, I had just graduated from Clemson’s architecture program, and I found myself at a crossroads of pursuing a career as an architect or moving into an adjacent career. As I struggled with that decision, a mentor of mine recommended that I meet Don and get his opinion. We agreed to meet for lunch at his office, a lunch that quickly turned into a three-hour meeting, with me riddled with guilt about why this accomplished architect who doesn’t know me at all, would so willingly listen to a young kid, hear me out about my career, and offer his thoughtful advice. Looking back on that conversation, and getting to know Don well since that meeting, it wasn’t out of character. He believed deeply in service to others, helping those he could, with an intense loyalty to a university that gave him so much in life.
Don epitomized service to others. Don’s fingerprints remain firmly on Clemson University. A life of remarkable service well-lived.
Lifelong connections is just one element that makes Clemson special. We appreciate all of you and your commitment to continuing to make our beloved school, uniquely Clemson. Go Tigers!
BILLY MILAM President, IPTAY Board of Directors
Hunter Tyson being presented IPTAY Athlete of the Year by IPTAY President Billy Milam at the Clemson Football game vs. Charleston Southern on Sept. 9.
PHOTO BY ELLA DRAKE/CLEMSON ATHLETICS
KTibbs@clemson.edu, or
Clemson Tigers under 6 Flower Mound, a Texas Little League Team. Coached by Chris Groover ('03) in the orange hat on the right and his son Jack a future Tiger in second row, second from right.
Mike Lankford (‘78) at Kronberg Castle in Helsingor, Denmark.
Chip Tinsley ('85 BA, '93 MEd) and wife Renee representing the Tiger spirit in a recent trip to Alaska, here at The Mendenhall Glacier. Chip is a Greenwood County IPTAY REP and on the board of the Greenwood Clemson Club. Alyssa Weikel (‘27) celebrated her admission to Clemson by climbing Mt. Jumullong-Manglo on a trip to Guam in June.
Bill LaGrone ('77), Sheryl Cowart Moss ('79), Eric Moss ('84), showing their Tiger pride in Delphi, Greece! GO TIGERS!
Jimmy (‘74), Rex (‘07), and Jessica (‘08). Family vacation in Ocho Rios.
Clemson, S.C. residents, the King’s, the Oprea’s, and the Teal’s with their tour guide, Boaz, on the Sea of Galilee in Israel.
David ('73) and Carolyn Godfrey at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on recent national parks tour.
From left: Ken Jackson ('76), Martha Berti, John Rhodes ('73&'76), Susan Rhodes ('76), Mark Mussman ('76), Susan Mussman in front of the Parthenon.
THE LAST WORD
IN AN INTERVIEW FOR THE JUNE 8, 2009 ISSUE OF GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE, an article was published the week before he won the United States Open at Bethpage Black in New York, Lucas Glover was asked about his following of the Clemson Tigers. “I’d watch them play checkers,” said Glover.
There is a connection between Glover and the Clemson fan base that has existed since he was a freshman during the 1997-98 academic year.
Glover was a starter from day one for Hall of Fame Head Coach Larry Penley’s program and led the Tigers to new heights by helping the Tigers to four consecutive top-10 national finishes, including a pair of national runner-up honors in 1998 and 2001. Those two No. 2 finishes led directly to Clemson breaking through to win the National Championship in 2003.
Glover had a connection to the program well before he got to Clemson. His grandfather, Dick Hendley, was a baseball and football star for the Tigers from 1946-50. If you met Mr. Hendley, you could see how he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the state of South Carolina as a fullback in 1950. He later went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hendley was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984 and Lucas received the same honor in 2007. They are still the only grandfather and grandson combination to be inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame.
Hendley was the man who taught Glover the game of golf at a practice green he had built at his home at Thornblade Country Club in Greenville. Glover was a terrific learner who made his grandfather proud when Hendley attended many Clemson golf tournaments during Lucas’ career.
Glover carried that aggressive and dedicated personality onto the golf course to earn First Team All-America honors as a junior and senior, then turned professional in the summer of 2001. In 2005 he won the Funai Classic at Walt Disney World on a miracle bunker shot on the last hole.
That was a big year for Glover, who also finished up his Clemson degree requirements at the same time.
There were many other highlights along the way for this 20-year veteran of the PGA Tour. The biggest entering 2023 was winning the 2009 U.S. Open against a top-10 field that included Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson during their prime. Glover’s career took a new direction this year in one of the most incredible comebacks in PGA Tour history. Putting, especially the short ones, had become his nemesis in recent years and that was the case in the first half of 2023.
LUCAS GLOVER
BY TIM BOURRET
Glover was ranked 185th on the FedEx Cup rankings. In June, he decided to make a change in his approach on the greens.
“I was either going to try a long putter or try putting lefthanded,” said Glover during an interview this past summer. The results after the change were remarkable. He had a couple of top-six finishes, his best of the year to that point, and then won the final tournament of the regular season, the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro with a 20-under-par score of 260.
Sensing something special was about to happen, I drove to Greensboro to follow him that Sunday at the Sedgefield Country Club. I have been to a lot of PGA events to follow former Tigers with whom I had worked during their college days but had never watched them win on the big tour in person.
It was an emotional win for Glover because he had now qualified for the FedEx Playoffs. And he had won the event on what would have been Dick Hendley’s 95th birthday. But Glover didn’t stop there.
The next week, in the first event of the FedEx Playoffs, the St. Jude Classic, he won a one-hole playoff over Patrick Cantlay to win for the second consecutive week, a first for any Clemson golfer on the PGA Tour.
It was Glover’s clutch putting that made the difference. He made 110 feet of putts on Sunday, including putts of 20’6” on the 13th hole and 29’ 8” on the 14th hole to save pars. He also made a clutch 11’ 4” putt on the 17th hole for par after he had driven the ball into the tree line.
Glover became the first golfer 43 years of age or older to win consecutive PGA Tour events since the 2008 season when Vijay Singh accomplished the feat. He was also the first golfer 40 years or older to win a FedEx Cup Playoff event since Tiger Woods won the FedEx Cup Championship in Atlanta in 2018.
Additionally, by winning that event Glover clinched a spot in the FedEx Cup Championship tournament in Atlanta, which guaranteed him a top-30 finish for the season, which meant he was qualified for any tournament he wanted to play in 2024. That includes all four major championships.
As I look back on Glover’s summer, it is an inspirational story for any pro golfer and any former Clemson athlete in professional sports.
Like me, there are a lot of Clemson fans who would turn on the TV to watch Lucas play checkers.
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