Orange the Experiance July 2012 by EDWARDS PUBLICATIONS

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IPTAY, P.O. Box 1529, Clemson, SC 29633

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578 Issaqueena Trail • Clemson, SC 29631 • 864-654-1500 • Models Open Daily

Orange: The Experience

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juSt 10 MinuteS FroM CleMSo n

jazz on the alley

Downtown go ‘rounD

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Live Music, Gallery Openings, Fun for the Family

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a night of music under the stars!

Every Thursday 6:30-9 p.m. Ram Cat Alley Featuring America’s Touring Jazz Musicians

Cruzin’ on Main

July 20 & Sept. 21-Nov. 16 Downtown Seneca 5:30-8:30 p.m.

texaCo Country ShowDown July 21 See up and rising musicians compete for national prizes and a recording contract

Visit the New South Architecture-Style of Living Open to the Public Thurs. - Sat. 1-5 p.m. Other hours by appointment, admission by donation. 211 W. South 1st Street, Seneca 864.882.4811 or email: LunneyHouseMuseum.org

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Fri. & Sat., Sept. 28-29 Lake Keowee Seneca, SC WHILE YOU’RE HERE, VISIT OUR PARTNERS... 2

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Orange: The Experience

October 27 Strutt Your Mutt and 3K Contests in several categories, Proceeds to Oconee County Humane Society.

halloween on the green October 31, Downtown Seneca

JULY 9, 2012

Volume 3, Issue 8

departments

inside ...

6 Terry Don Phillips

2011-12 was a great year, and the future is even brighter

something in these hills 8

Gary Girmindl was one of a kind

Clemson basketball, military appreciation meet at The Players Championship

10 Travis Furbee

Thank you to all of our IPTAY members and fans

12 IPTAY Donor Spotlight

Mark McRae

14 IPTAY Donor Spotlight

Steve Czarsty

16 IPTAY Representative Spotlight

Grant Burns

18 IPTAY New Donor Spotlight

J.K. Jay

19 In focus: Clemson’s capital campaign for tennis

2011-12 Clemson Athletics Year-In-Review

28 Mayor of the University

Tajh Boyd is revered on and off the field by his peers.

35 Clemson’s 2012 Olympic

Games Preview

29-year-old George Kitchens makes U.S. Olympic Team.

40 The Definition of Hard Work

Dale Davis’ drive led to a decorated basketball career.

44 The Legacy of Herman McGee No one smiled on the Clemson Tigers like Herman McGee.

48 Kents Prove Family Ties

Conquer All

Matt and Mike Kent share an even closer bond after Mike helps his brother’s fight against cancer.

50 What Does it Mean

to Be a ‘T.I.G.E.R!’?

Student-athletes represent Clemson University in the community.

53 Making An Impact

Siri Mullinix is influential as the assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 women’s national team.

56 New Tiger Cubs The IPTAY Tiger Cub club.

19 A vision for the future

Harry Harritos believes in Clemson

59 Memorials 62 IPTAY Donor Photos 64 The Last Word

Two Tigers left us far too soon

Editor: Philip Sikes Assistant Editors Tim Bourret Lindsey Leonard Will Vandervort Graphics Coordinator: Melissa Bradley Contributing Writers Hannah Burleson Schuyler Easterling William Qualkinbush Chief Photographer Rex Brown

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ... A profile of senior leaders Andre Ellington and Malliciah Goodman.

Orange: The Experience is published eight times a year exclusively for donors to the IPTAY Scholarship Fund. A minimum priority contribution is $140, although contributions of any amount are welcome. To join IPTAY, call 864.656.2115 or go to www.clemsontigers.com and click on IPTAY. To advertise in Orange: The Experience, call 864.882.2375, fax 864.882.2381, call 864.656.2975 or e-mail to lsweval@exchange.clemson.edu. If you’ve had an address or phone number change, call the IPTAY office at 864.656.2115; go to www.clemsontigers.com and click on IPTAY; or send your name, IPTAY number, new address, new phone number and e-mail address to: IPTAY, P.O. Box 1529, Clemson, SC 29633.

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Orange: The Experience

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2011-12 was a great year, and the future is even brighter Terry Don Phillips

clemson athletic director In recapping our past academic year, there is much success to celebrate. To start, we’re proud of our three Atlantic Coast Conference Championship teams, 32 All-Americans and 77 All-ACC performers and the significant success we had in the classroom. Our programs are moving in the right direction and we are confident in our future. In the classroom, our student-athletes posted a 2.99 GPA for the spring semester, the highest on record. Seven of our programs posted at least a 3.0 GPA, while four others were at 2.93 or better. Becky Bowman and her staff at Vickery Hall are to be congratulated for setting the all-time record in terms of GPA for our student-athletes. That is an outstanding accomplishment. Our women’s track & field program won its sixth straight ACC Championship this past spring when they won the conference crown in the outdoor season. They also are to be congratulated for finishing fourth overall at last month’s NCAA Championships. Coach Lawrence Johnson and his staff continue to set the standard for competitive excellence in our athletic department. We’re proud of football for being the ACC Champions, earning a BCS berth in the Orange Bowl and finishing 22nd in the final polls. We also congratulate Coach Dabo Swinney for being the recipient of the very prestigious Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year award. Additionally, football signed another top-10 recruiting class. And, we’re just getting started. The future is bright for Tiger football. Off the field, football was one of only 14 programs nationally honored by the NCAA last month for Academic Performance Public Recognition. The football team, along with our golf program, both ranked in the National top 10 percent when it came to Academic Progress Rates (APR). The golf program had another top-25 ranking as well this past season. Brad Brownell and his staff did a very good job this past year in leading our men’s basketball team to an 8-8 record in ACC play, the fifth straight year we finished at least .500 or better in conference play. On the women’s side, Itoro Coleman continues to build a squad that gives us reason for optimism. The 2012 recruiting class was ranked No. 16 by ESPN. 6

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Orange: The Experience

Even in a year where we had ups and downs, our baseball program came within a hair of getting through the regionals of the NCAA Tournament. It was our 25th NCAA appearance in the last 26 years and our 18th under Head Coach Jack Leggett. We will be back to the College World Series in baseball. I have no doubt about that. Jack is one of the best coaches in the country, and he and his staff recently signed an outstanding class as well. Our rowing program had its fourth straight top-20 finish nationally. Head Coach Robbie Tenenbaum has done a very solid job continuing our success in the ACC and on a national level. We fully expect much of the same from our enhanced diving program under the direction of Leslie Hasselbach Adams, who has been at Clemson for 13 years. Also, I would be remiss if I left out the accomplishments of our men’s soccer team and the success we have had in volleyball and women’s tennis. The men’s soccer program continues to get better under head coach Mike Noonan. I strongly believe they should have been an NCAA Tournament squad this past year, especially after defeating two nationally ranked opponents in 2011, including top-ranked Maryland. Eddie Radwanski’s women’s team showed improvement last season, and we look for their success to turn around under his leadership. The volleyball program is a model of consistency under Jolene Hoover and her staff. They look to compete for another ACC Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance with veteran players returning next season. Nancy Harris and the women’s tennis program again advanced to the NCAAs this past spring, finishing fourth in the ACC standings. The program has advanced and won at least one NCAA Tournament match each of the last 11 years. Again, as we look forward to the 2012-13 year, we have a strong sense of optimism and confidence in our coaches, staff and teams. Accordingly, we are moving in the right direction competitively, academically and with the overall quality of our student-athletes. GoTigers!

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something in these hills gary Girmindl Was One of a Kind Over the past seven years as Clemson’s sports information director for men’s basketball, I got to know many things about Gary Girmindl. I knew he was a widower and that family meant everything to him. I knew he was not originally from the South, and that he grew up in the state of New York. I knew he was a member of IPTAY. Most of all, I knew him as one of the most loyal, dedicated fans you could ever come across.

Photo by Mark Crammer

That is why it came as such a sudden shock to the Clemson Athletics community when we learned of his death on Thursday, May 24. Ironically enough, he had just come from supporting Jack Leggett’s baseball team earlier in the day in Greensboro, NC when he suffered a heart attack on the return to Clemson. The same day most of us in the Clemson athletic department received the news, Leggett’s team knocked off No. 1 ranked Florida State on a three-run walk-off home run by Jon McGibbon. It was almost as if it Gary looked down on his Tigers and pulled them through to victory. What I didn’t know about Gary, I learned a week later on May 31 at his memorial service at the University Lutheran Church on Sloan Street. One of his daughters, Lynne McGuirt, gave an emotional reflection of his life in front of family and friends. In it, she told those of us who only knew Gary the fan who he truly was. I learned that Gary attended Alfred University and was a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. I learned he still held the school record for most consecutive made free throws. I learned he was originally a University of North Carolina basketball fan until his oldest daughter, Lisa, enrolled at Clemson. I even learned that 8

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Orange: The Experience

we both enjoyed the same sitcom, Wings, which aired on NBC and later the USA Network. My experiences with Gary were all based on our runins at Littlejohn Coliseum. As the basketball SID, before each home game I bring over game notes and stat computers, make sure the postgame press conference area is in order, and deliver game roster cards to the concourse level. After the men’s team was typically done with its walkthrough, Gary would arrive at the arena before anyone else. I’d spend time just about every game shooting the breeze with he and Mark Whitten, a security specialist for EPI, in the media work room. In what can be a stressful time for an SID, especially when ESPN was in town, Gary had a way of bringing a sense of calm over me. We would talk about who was officiating the game. We would gloat over big road wins or great performances. He would ask how my boys were doing. He was even complimentary of me when I filled in for my boss, Tim Bourret, as color commentator for the Clemson radio network. That meant the world to me. At the time of his death, Gary had attended over 550 consecutive home men’s basketball games dating to 1978. When Clemson knocked off No. 3 Duke by a whopping 27-point margin in 2009, he told Scott Keepfer of the Greenville News it was his second favorite win (behind the upset of No. 1 North Carolina in 2001). He would later tell Keepfer he had “never seen the crowd like it was last night.” As the news of Gary’s death reached beyond family and Clemson acquaintances, I began receiving phone calls, text messages and tweets from many members of the media that covered Tiger basketball over the years, from Keepfer to WYFF’s Marc Dopher to Paul Strelow, former beat writer at The State. None of them could believe Gary was gone. But the biggest testimony of Gary’s impact came when I placed a call to Andy Katz, a columnist for ESPN. com. Katz has come to Littlejohn one time as sideline reporter for ESPN since I’ve been in the sports information office. But when he came to cover Clemson’s 19-point win over the Tar Heels in 2010, he interviewed Gary and talked about his famous streak during the second half of their broadcast. When I asked him if he remembered him, Katz didn’t miss a beat and knew exactly who I was talking about. But Gary wasn’t just a fan; he actually volunteered his time before each and every home game. He assisted Mike Money, Clemson’s Director of Marketing, and his staff by rolling t-shirts that would be thrown to the crowd during timeouts. Money, like all of us, will have to

adjust to not seeing Gary’s trademark smile when arriving at the arena for a game. “I’ll always remember seeing his face the first time I walked into the facility,” Money said. “He was ready to work, every game, no matter how big or if it was a men’s or women’s game. He did it out of the kindness of his heart – never got a dime or anything. The hardest thing for me next season will be to walk in and have that void. It will be an eerie feeling to not have him with us anymore.” Indeed, seat 7 on row A in floor section 15 will take on a different look next season and beyond. Gary had a tremendous relationship with everyone, ranging from athletic employees to gameday staff to coaches and players. Every game, when 2012 senior Tanner Smith stepped out of the tunnel to begin his warmup routine, Gary would have some words of encouragement for one of his favorite players. Smith has moved on from Clemson, but he said he will always remember Gary’s passion for his Tigers. “When I was a freshman and first met him, he called me over and already knew my name, knew everything about me,” Smith said. “He told me he’d been coming to games since 1978 and that he hadn’t missed any of them. To have someone like that behind not only the basketball team, but the university, is really special.” Gary was special not only to Smith, but also to many players from the past. At the memorial service, David Hood of Tigernet was asked to read a letter that was sent to McGuirt by Grayson Marshall, Clemson’s all-time assists leader and a member of the school’s all-time team. In it, Marshall spoke of Gary as a father figure and someone who was always supportive, win or lose. Over the course of his 550+ game streak, Gary personally witnessed the careers of 20 (out of 25) members of Clemson’s all-time team announced last fall as part of the 100th anniversary celebration. I take great comfort in knowing Gary lived long enough to help honor those players and their families the weekend of Feb. 24-25. Next season, I’m sure Mark and I will still gather in the media room before the game and chat. It won’t be the same without Gary, though. I only wish I’d spent more time talking to him about his interests away from basketball, things I learned from his daughter at the service. Rest in peace, Gary Girmindl. One day, I hope to be called to a higher place just like you. Now I know we can not only share stories about our favorite Clemson basketball memories, but also our favorite episodes from Wings. There aren’t many I’d rather shoot the breeze with. — by Philip Sikes

Clemson Basketball, Military Appreciation Meet at THE PLAYERS Championship Clemson has a proud military tradition. TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL is one of the PGA TOUR’s leaders in honoring our military. In May, the two crossed paths after former Tiger basketball player Larry Seitz took part in the festivities. Seitz, a 1964 Clemson graduate in engineering and Vietnam veteran, was invited to the tournament by his son-in-law, a public relations executive with the TOUR. In addition to watching some of the best players in the world, Seitz had the opportunity to enjoy complimentary food and beverages and camaraderie with other veterans and service members in the Birdies for the Brave® Patriots’ Outpost – a hospitality area at TPC Sawgrass open exclusively to active duty, retired and Reserve members and their families of the five branches of the military. “Each year, they feature one of the branches,” Seitz said. “This year, it happened to be the National Guard.” Among the many outreach activities on site, military members and their families were honored Wednesday, May 9 in what was designated Military Appreciation Day. In recognition of the 375th anniversary of the Army National Guard, festivities included performances by the 13th Army Band and a flyover by F-15 fighter jets from the Florida Air National Guard. “Thousands of people attended, including many Wounded Warriors,” he said. “It was quite a touching ceremony.”

One of Seitz’ most memorable moments during THE PLAYERS was the opportunity to meet General Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was at this meeting that Seitz thought of a unique way to include his alma mater in appreciation of our military. “As part of the basketball program’s 100-year anniversary celebration, they had a bunch of medallions made,” he said. “There’s a tradition when you shake hands with a military person, you exchange medallions. I told him I no longer served, but had been in Vietnam, so I presented him with our basketball medallion. “I told him I was proud of graduating from Clemson University, and that in World War II we had the most Army officers of any school, outside of West Point. He gave me his medallion commemorating the 375th anniversary of the National Guard.” That’s not all Seitz received. During the Military Appreciation Ceremony, the head of the Florida National Guard gave him his medallion, and he received a third medallion from a member of the SEAL team bearing the Birdies for the Brave logo on the back. Birdies for the Brave is a national military outreach initiative that is proudly supported by the TOUR. “It was an honor to receive those medallions – it’s something I’ll always cherish,” he said. Seitz also enjoyed the op-

Seitz exchanged medallions with members of the National Guard, as well as wounded warriors who were on site at THE PLAYERS Championship. No longer in the military, he chose to present the 100th anniversary Clemson basketball medallion instead.

Former Clemson basketball letterman Larry Seitz with General Craig McKinley, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at TPC Sawgrass in May. Photo courtesy Larry Seitz

portunity to present each of the Wounded Warriors who attended the ceremony with a medallion commemorating the 100th anniversary of Clemson basketball. Originally from Illinois and now living in the town of Clemson, Seitz played for the Tigers under Press Maravich from 1960-63. He has vivid recollections of blocking shot attempts of Maravich’s son, famed college basketball great Pete, when he was just a young boy. Seitz was a member of the ROTC program at Clemson, and after graduating he went into the Army and spent three and a half years with the Army Corps of Engineers. He served as a Company Commander in both Germany and Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star medal. Following his service to the country, he went into the distribution business, where he still does some consulting work today. One of the thrills for Seitz this year was the 100th anniversary alumni weekend the Tiger basketball program put on Feb. 24-25 at Fike Recreation Center and Littlejohn Coliseum. He drew parallels from his military background with the celebration. “It was one of the best things that Clemson has ever done from a basketball standpoint,” he said. “An athletic family is very much equal to a military family. It doesn’t matter your rank, it doesn’t matter where you’re from. When you come back, it’s a brotherhood.” Like Tiger basketball, it is a brotherhood the PGA TOUR and TPC Sawgrass are able to recognize on an annual basis. — by Philip Sikes

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Thank you to all of our IPTAY members and fans Travis Furbee

— director of iptay annual fund —

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the passionate IPTAY members and fans for the great year we had in athletics. Your passion for Clemson Athletics has been very evident by the support you have given the Tigers this past year. We have reached many of our goals because of you. Besides the success we had on the athletic fields, we have had just as much success off of them. As of the end of May, our numbers at IPTAY across the board have been very encouraging. Currently, we have surpassed our total number of IPTAY members, which is well over 14,000 for the first time since 2008—the year the seat equity plan was rolled out. We have also met our goal by adding more than 1,500 new members. On June 30th, the IPTAY calendar year came to a close, and we surpassed last year’s monetary year-end numbers. We have many supportive people to thank for that. We will release the totals in August like we have done in the past. In the athletic ticket office, our season ticket numbers are currently up for the first time in a few years, which is another very encouraging sign for the program. In the classroom, Becky Bowman and her staff at Vickery Hall did a great job helping our student-athletes have the best year we have ever had from an academic standpoint. Clemson student-athletes posted a 2.99 GPA for the spring semester of 2012, the highest on record, according to data released by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Clemson’s 15 athletic programs had 228 student-athletes named to the academic honor roll, including 111 on the Dean’s List and 43 on the President’s List (4.0). 10

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Orange: The Experience

Those numbers compare favorably to the university average, which was a 3.14. This is all indicative of your support on an annual basis, as evidenced by this past semester’s grades. These scholarships cannot be paid and our operational costs cannot be covered without the help of our Clemson family. Without you, Clemson would not have had won the ACC Championship in football. Without you, Clemson would not have won two ACC Championships in women’s track & field. Without you, Clemson would not have had 32 All-Americans and 77 All-ACC student athletes. Without your support, Clemson would not have had seven programs which posted at least a 3.0 team GPA, and four others at 2.93 or better this past spring. It was the Photo courtesy ofBrown IPTAY Photo by Rex first time 11 of the 15 programs had a team GPA of at least 2.93. Without you, Clemson’s football program would not have had a 2.61 team GPA—the second-best GPA on record in the program’s history. Thirty-four members of the 2011 team were named to the academic honor roll, including first-team AP All-American Sammy Watkins. The freshman receiver was the first Clemson football player to be named first-team AP All-American and make the academic honor roll in the same year since David Treadwell in 1987-88. It was a banner year for Clemson Athletics and IPTAY, and it is all because of you. Once again, from all of us in IPTAY, we thank you for all you do for Clemson Athletics. Go Tigers!

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DONOR SPOT L IG H T

Mark McRae

When did you become a Clemson fan? “Well, unlike my beautiful wife, Lisa, who was born and raised in a Clemson family in Lancaster, SC, I’m a little embarrassed to say I was actually a Georgia Bulldog fan growing up in South Georgia. But, when my folks moved to Greenville in 1983, I started to convert to a Tiger. It was upon arrival on campus for my freshman year in 1988 that my conversion was complete.”   Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “The IPTAY organization is a great steward of the contributions it receives as evidenced by the successes the Clemson student-athletes enjoy both in their respective fields of play and in the classroom.” What is your favorite gameday tradition? “Since we live in Florida, we usually can only make it up to a game or two each year. So, when we are there we enjoy hitting Judge Keller’s and Mr. Knickerbocker’s to pick up some Clemson goods.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “It’s tough for a coach to walk in the shadows of Tiger greats Frank Howard or Danny Ford, but I have to believe if any coach can it’s Dabo Swinney. He seems to inspire the players by the passion he has for the sport and for the players themselves. He always has their best interests at heart. I have to believe that any parent of a player thinking about Clemson would immediately feel a level of trust in Dabo and sense his genuine interest for their son’s well-being, both on and off the field.” What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson? “We always make a point to stop for a picture in front of Tillman Hall at Thomas Green Clemson’s statue. That’s the iconic Clemson experience.” Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “Clemson needs IPTAY to provide scholarships for those student-athletes who would otherwise not be able to attend. In the current era of budget cuts for public universities, IPTAY’s mission is even more critical in keeping ‘dear old Clemson’ nationally competitive.”

Mark (‘91), Lisa (Trouble field, ‘90), Lane and T. Cole McRa e.

Current Hometown

Orlando, FL

Years of Membership

16 Years

— compiled by Victoria Reid

Editor’s note: In the May 15, 2012 issue of Orange: The Experience we inadvertently listed Mark McRae as a new donor in our spotlight piece, when in fact he has been an IPTAY member for 16 years. There was also another inaccuracy, so for that we apologize and have decided to rerun Mr. McRae’s spotlight.

“We enjoy tailgating with old friends and usually stop by the Quad to visit the old fraternity house. Then we head to the game to watch the players rub Howard’s Rock and run down The Hill. After the Clemson victory, it’s off to the Esso Club to round out a perfect day in Tigertown.

When we can’t make it to the game, we gather with 50 or so die-hard fans here in Orlando for the Greater Orlando Clemson Club game-viewing parties.”

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Orange: The Experience

The Greater Orlando Clemson Club

Lane and T. Cole McRae

FOLLOW THE TIGERS RIGHT ON YOUR PHONE. On America’s Fastest 4G Network, stay up-to-the-minute with the latest Clemson football news, stats and more. With Verizon, no one will know the game better than you. Coverage not available everywhere; see vzw.com. 4G LTE is available in more than 200 cities in the U.S. ©2012 Verizon.

july 2012

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DONOR SPOT L IG H T

When did you become a Clemson fan? “My first memories of Clemson football are from the 1981 Championship. I was pulling for the Tigers all the way. I remember the string of bowl games we played in Florida from 1986 to 1991. My family always celebrated Christmas and New Years in Orlando, and I remember seeing all the Clemson fans in Florida for the bowl game. It was impressive to see all the Tiger Paws and orange.”   Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “I joined IPTAY in the spring before my freshman year at Clemson. I quickly learned during my first visit to Clemson, that if I wanted my parents to be able to visit during football season they needed tickets and a parking space for our motor home. You had to be an IPTAY member to get them. After my first year, I became a trainer with the football team and quickly began to realize the full impact IPTAY has on the athletic department and its student-athletes. As a trainer, I received a scholarship and I have been appreciative for what IPTAY did for me as a student-athlete. I realize now, as an alumnus, that it is my turn to help support the future of Clemson Athletics through the IPTAY Scholarship Fund.” What is your favorite game day tradition? “A new favorite tradition is going down to Tiger Walk and letting my son give Dabo a high-five. However, my all-time favorite tradition is running down the Hill. Not only is it the most exciting 25 seconds in college football for a fan, but it is also the most exciting way to enter a stadium as a player.” Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “Barbara KennedyDixon. I did not have the pleasure of watching her play, but Barbara was a two-time All American, a three-time first-team All-ACC player, and a twotime ACC Tournament MVP. She also holds numerous ACC and Clemson career records, most notably for points scored, and rebounds.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “I have become friends with Dabo Swinney though our involvement in his All-In Foundation and from attending his fantasy camps. I love how he was able to unite and reenergize Clemson fans from the minute he became our interim head coach. As Clemson alumni, we always talk about a ‘Clemson Man.’ Although, Dabo is not a Clemson alumnus, he understands everything that goes into being a ‘Clemson Man.’” What one thing do you always do when you come to Clemson? “We always find ourselves downtown shopping even when it’s not football, basketball or baseball season and we usually try to plan our trips so we can go by Pot Belly Deli for a Darkhorse. We love supporting all of our friends that own local business in Clemson. If time allows, we try to slip in to TTT’s or TD’s and reminisce about all the fun my wife and I had as undergrads at Clemson.” Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “Everyone knows that IPTAY supports athletics. Without IPTAY, we would not have the facilities our coaching staffs require to be competitive when recruiting elite championship caliber players. However, most people do not realize IPTAY is the largest scholarship organization at Clemson. Unlike other universities, Clemson does not receive any assistance for athletic scholarships from the State. IPTAY not only provides scholarships for student athletes, but they also grant academic scholarships to disserving non-student athletes. Not only Championships begin with scholarships, but our state’s future does as well.”

Steve Czarsty

Steve (‘99), April (‘00) & 2-year-old Reynolds (IPTAY sustai ning Tiger Cub Club member) be fore the 2011 Wake Forest ga me.

Current Hometown

Greenville, SC Years of Membership

18 Years

— compiled by Victoria Reid

“Barbara (Kennedy-Dixon) is also my choice because I have the privilege of calling her my friend. Barbara grew up in Rome, GA where I went to high school. When I arrived at Clemson as a freshman, I had the opportunity for her to be my mentor and academic advisor at Vickery Hall.

I have appreciated all of her help and I am thankful for everything she has done for Clemson.” 14 14

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O Or ra an ng g ee :: T Th h ee EE x x pp ee r r ii ee n nc c ee

Dabo Swinney stops during Tiger Walk to get a high five from Reynolds.

Our newest Tiger Cub, Kennedy (IPTAY sustaining Tiger Cub Club member) is six weeks old.

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REPRESENTATI V E SPOT L IG H T

When did you become a Clemson fan? “I was born a Clemson fan thanks to my dad’s own lifelong enthusiasm for the Tigers.”   Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “I was a member of the IPTAY Student Advisory Board as a Clemson student and was able to see first-hand the opportunities IPTAY was providing to the student-athletes around me. I also saw the camaraderie among IPTAY members and wanted to be a part of the group.”

Grant Burns

What is your favorite game day tradition? “Waking up to Tiger Rag at full blast!” Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “C.J. Spiller was a ‘game changer’ for our football program from the day he enrolled. He is a great ambassador for Clemson.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “Larry Penley (Golf ). Coach Penley’s dedication to his team and the university has paid dividends on campus and on the PGA Tour for decades. He is a true Clemson gentleman.” What one thing do you always do when you come to Clemson? “I drive by Tillman Hall and think about all the blessings in my life which are connected with my Clemson experience.” Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “IPTAY is the lifeblood of all Clemson Athletics. Most Clemson fans will never catch a touchdown pass in Death Valley or hit a three-pointer in Littlejohn, but by joining IPTAY, at any level, they can contribute to the Tigers’ success in a very real way.”

Grant and wife, Julie, with sons, Camden and Emory, at the 2008 Boston College game (Dabo’s first win).

— compiled by Victoria Reid

Current Hometown “Coach (Larry) Penley’s dedication to his team and the university has paid dividends on campus and on the PGA Tour for decades.

Greer, SC

Years of Membership

25 Years

He is a true Clemson gentleman.”

Grant and his dad, Les Burns, at Death Valley.

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Grant and family on the day they dotted the “I.” (2007 Furman game)

Orange: The Experience

Grant and family at a reunion weekend.

Grant and friends tailgating in Lot 2.

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NE W DONOR SPOT L IG H T

When did you become a Clemson fan? “It was already predetermined that I was going to be a Tiger before I was even born. I grew up going to all the Clemson sporting events with my grandparents, parents and cousins. I grew up learning what it really meant to call yourself a Clemson Tiger and to say that you bleed orange. I always dreamed of running down the Hill and representing the Tigers on Saturdays in the fall.”   What is your favorite game day tradition? “I don’t think you can answer this question without stating the obvious, running down the Hill. Even Carolina fans tell me how die-hard Gamecocks they are, but they cannot deny the power of amazement they feel when they are in Death Valley and see us run down the Hill.” Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “My favorite all-time student-athlete would have to be my brother Malliciah Goodman. He was my brother, my parents’ son, roommate, and my best friend. He is such an amazing man of God. You will not find a more trustworthy, gracious, humble and respectful man.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “Danny Ford, and not because of the obvious, but because he is a just a good ole boy like myself. He loves working on his farm, drives a truck, wears blue jeans, and eats at Dyar’s about every day. He is who he is and I think that is very admirable in today’s society.” What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson? “The one thing I always do when I come to Clemson is swing by the stadium when no one is there and have quiet time with God in prayer. I also always try to get to Dyar’s and get some of Miss Dyar’s famous mac’n’cheese and amazing desserts.” Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “I believe people should join IPTAY even if they don’t watch athletics because you are changing the course of a young person and their family’s life. You are allowing someone the opportunity to make it out of some of the most dire situations in life, and by them being able to have a scholarship they will have an education that will allow them and their future children and grandchildren to have a better foot forward in life and a better opportunity to succeed.” — compiled by Victoria Reid

“I don’t think you can answer this question without stating the obvious, running down the Hill. Even Carolina fans tell me how die-hard Gamecocks they are, but they cannot deny the

J.K. Jay

J.K. tailgating with his family — dad, Jerome, mom, Gin a, and little brother Carter.

Current Hometown

Columbia, SC Years of Membership

1 Year

power of amazement they feel when they are in Death Valley and see us run down the Hill.”

J.K. at graduation.

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Orange: The Experience

J.K. and President Barker at graduation.

J.K. and teammates during a spring game.

In Focus:

Clemson’s Capital Campaign for tennis

Last year, the Clemson athletic department announced a $50 million campaign to enhance the facilities at Memorial Stadium, the Hoke Sloan Tennis Complex, Riggs Field, Doug Kingsmore Stadium and Littlejohn Coliseum. Recently, Orange: The Experience assistant editor and senior writer Will Vandervort sat down with Assistant Director of IPTAY’s major gifts division, Aaron Dunham, to talk about why the Tennis Campaign is so important and what it means for Clemson’s future success in the sport. Q: What are the new plans for the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center? Mr. Dunham: We have a new vision for tennis. The idea is a brand new indoor facility with six covered courts, new coaches’ offices and new locker rooms all under one roof. Q: Where will this potential new facility be located, and what will it look like? Mr. Dunham: The new facility will face Riggs Field, so when fans come down Highway 93 from the campus towards the athletic complex, the facility will face them. The indoor facility we have now will be converted to an open-air covered pavilion. This will allow both the men’s and women’s teams to practice at the same time. The new indoor facility will have six courts, which will mean that the teams can play the six singles matches simultaneously, as opposed to now where the one through four singles players have to play and then the five and six players play later. This concept will fix all of those issues. Q: What will it take for this to actually happen? Also, what will be the price tag for this project? Mr. Dunham: We have a grand vision for this facility. To build something like this, we are going to need one or two significant gifts, because the price tag is high. The total cost is estimated to be somewhere between $6 and $8 million. Q: If you can raise the funds, what will you do with the current structure that is in place? Mr. Dunham: If we receive the support needed to proceed with the entire project, then we will actually tear down the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center that we have now. We are looking at this as a revitalization of the tennis complex. We want to rebuild both the Hoke Sloan Center and the Duckworth Pavilion. Q: How many courts will the new facility have? Will you gain or lose any? Mr. Dunham: Actually, with all of this that is planned, it will be a net gain of one court for the entire facility. So we would not lose any courts with these improvements. Q: What about the old plans? Will you still use those if you can’t get the major gifts for the grand tennis complex?

STADIUM SEATING

INDOOR

TENNIS FACILITY

COVERED TENNIS COURTS

Mr. Dunham: We have developed some really good plans for covering the outdoor seats and dressing up the back entrances. As we bring in some cash, and it becomes evident that we cannot find those major gifts that we really need to proceed with a full indoor complex, then we will work on the previous plans. Those plans include nice things we can do to dress up the facility as money comes in. Those plans have been on the books for a long time now, and we think they would be valuable improvements to the facility. Q: How are you involving the Clemson tennis family in this project? Mr. Dunham: We had a reunion for former players and other members of the Clemson tennis family during the weekend of the Spring Game. This event was the first tennis reunion in several years. What we are trying to do is revitalize the alumni network. We want to engage our alumni and let them know what is going on. We launched this campaign at the reunion. We have put a great committee together chaired by Jane Duckworth. We also have a bunch of great IPTAY members in the leadership group, including Robby Jones (a former player), Wes McMullan, Tom and Liz Moran (whose son Wes was on the team this past year), and David Wilkins, who is a former player and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. It is a great group. Then we have an advisory group made up of former players and people with tennis connections who are helping us as well. It has been special to see some of the alumni back and participating in the program. Q: Why is this important? Why do we need these new tennis facilities? Mr. Dunham: This campaign is all about trying to be on par with our peers in the ACC and in the Southeast because they have really stepped it up. Wake Forest completed a campaign in conjunction with the city of Winston-Salem

and has a new facility. NC State has redone its facility. Florida State is getting ready to do something new, and South Carolina just unveiled their new stadium this past spring. Q: I would imagine this facility will honor Clemson’s rich history in men’s and women’s tennis? Mr. Dunham: We have a great history at Clemson when it comes to tennis. We have a tremendous legacy established here thanks to Coach Duane Bruley, Coach Chuck Kriese and Coach Andy Johnston, and we appreciate their support and involvement in the campaign. All three of them were here for the reunion, which was great. Q: If you can raise the funds, when will this project get started? Mr. Dunham: One component will get started soon the Highway 93 Pedestrian Bridge Project which is a partnership between the Athletic Department and the City of Clemson. That project will impact both the soccer and tennis facilities and create more of a front door for Clemson Tennis. It will dress up the sidewalk and give the program a true entrance way. Q: What do you need to get this project started? Also, if someone is interested in learning more about the tennis campaign or wanting to give money, how can they contact you? Mr. Dunham: IPTAY is currently matching up to $3 million in cash donations received (not pledges), so any significant cash gift made now will have a major impact. Pledges (payable over a five-year period) are important as well. We want to challenge all Clemson Tennis fans to help us meet that $3 million benchmark. For more information or if anyone is interested in learning more about the Tennis Campaign, please contact me (Aaron Dunham) at (864) 656-5209 or email me at dunham@clemson.edu. — compiled by Will Vandervort

july 2012

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A Vision for the Future

With the arms race in facilities forever growing in college athletics, Harry Harritos has Clemson visualizing its potential

Like any Clemson fan, Harry Harritos bleeds orange. His life pretty much centers around the happenings of the Tigers each day. He is a regular listener to the Clemson Sports Network’s flagship station, WCCP 104.9 FM in Clemson, so he can get his daily fix of Tiger athletics. Harry Harritos is the true definition of a Clemson fan. But Harritos isn’t your average Clemson fan. He graduated from Clemson with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture. Over the last 28 years, he has been an employee for the university where he was a professor in the School of Architecture. “I believe in what I do, and I believe in Clemson,” Harritos said. “Clemson is my passion. I’m honored that I have been able to teach here, and I’m honored I get to do what I do to help this university grow.” Though he retired in 2011 as a professor, Harritos felt he still had more to offer the university that grew so fondly in his heart throughout the years. At one point in his career, he worked closely with the Clemson athletic department in its ventures to improve its facilities. He was part of the team that created the vision for what is now known as the McFadden Building — home of the athletic department’s administrative staff. He served as an early advisor, especially in regards to the site lines when plans to revitalize Littlejohn Coliseum went into work back in the mid-1990s. Harritos was also part of the early plans on what is now the WestZone at Memorial Stadium. “We put together teams that helped program and site the buildings,” he said. “These were service projects, on campus and around the state where they ask us to come to a community or something that is non-profit. We help them put together a vision and we help make projects come to life a little more effectively. “It becomes a teaching classroom as well.” It was during these projects with the Clemson athletic department that Harritos came up with an idea of maybe one day serving as an advisor, if you will, for any future projects the athletic department might want to tackle. However, he never pursued the idea until he retired as a professor. In March of 2011, when he started to miss his job, and knowing how passionate he is about Clemson sports, Harritos approached Executive Associate Athletic Director Bill D’Andrea about coming on board as an advisor to the athletic department when it came to their vision for facilities or naming opportunities. “I have always been a fan of Clemson sports,” Harritos said. “I’m a member of IPTAY. I love Clemson, and I love what I do. I thought about this, and I knew this was something I can do. I want to try and compliment what they do. I want to play a role to support and make things more effective in terms of major gifts, naming opportu20

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Orange: The Experience

nities or general knowledge.” Harritos’ role has been just that. With the launch of a $50 million capital campaign in 2011, which will enhance the facilities at Memorial Stadium, the Hoke Sloan Tennis Complex, Riggs Field, Doug Kingsmore Stadium and Littlejohn Coliseum, Harritos has put the vision of these projects on paper so those going out raising the money can show potential givers what the actual structure might look like when it is completed. “Harry has played a significant role in helping us,” D’Andrea said. “He has helped us identify naming opportunities within these renditions, while also meeting with donors and explaining these projects.” The latest projects Harritos has helped with are the drawings for the potential new tennis facility as well as the new additions to the men’s and women’s basketball annex connected to Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson’s major gift team is hoping to raise enough money which will allow the athletic department to make the current indoor tennis facility a four-court pavilion, while tearing down the current Hoke Sloan Tennis Center and building a new one which will be equipped with coaches offices, locker rooms, six indoor courts and new seating to add to the area the facility already holds. The proposed new facility will possibly allow Clemson to host the NCAA Championships in the future. “When we start talking about projects, he is able to make them come to life. He allows us to see what these things can possibly look like and if it is something we can do. He has been a significant addition to our major gifts team,” D’Andrea said. At Littlejohn Coliseum, plans call for the current annex to be extended across the Avenue of Champions with a walking bridge connecting the two buildings together. The new part of the annex will be located across the Avenue of Champions and will filter into the hill that runs into Lot 5. In this new building, Clemson will house coaches’ offices for the men’s and women’s teams as well as two full basketball courts, weight room and lounges. “I try to bring my expertise to the table,” Harritos said. “I try to help them as a professional. As an architect, I’m looking for important spaces or elements of the building. Sometimes, it’s not a building, but it’s a space. Even in teaching, I thought architecture was more about space

than about buildings because the buildings are connected by spaces.” Harritos continues to work for the university on other facilities, but his heart is now with the athletic department, where it always has been. “When I would talk to prospective students about Clemson, the thing that came back to me on a regular basis is how much they loved this place,” he said. “They did not love only Tillman Hall or Lee Hall, but they loved Clemson. To me, this place is more important than the buildings. “That’s what we at Clemson have done a good job of doing over the last 10 years - making the place feel more connected with all the walkways and the open space. The open space, to me, becomes the glue for everything. Even in athletics. I’m trying to focus on what role those buildings can play with what we call the athletic precinct of the campus. “I’m more interested in the role these projects play, because I want to help people understand that they are a part of something bigger than just a naming opportunity for one building or structure,” Harritos said. “You have to have a vision. So I’m trying to help major gifts as part of the capital campaign, to let Clemson people know we do have a vision. I hope I can be a person that helps Clemson lead the way with its vision on where it is going.” Note: For more information or if anyone is interested in learning more about any of Clemson Athletics’ capital campaigns, please contact the people below: For football: Bobby Couch (864) 656-0361 or email at jcouch@clemson.edu For basketball: Bert Henderson (864) 656-2973 or email berthso@clemson.edu For baseball: Bob Mahony (864) 656-2974 or email mahonyr@clemson.edu For basketball and tennis: Aaron Dunham (864) 6565209 or email dunham@clemson.edu For soccer: Ford Williams (864) 656-0314 or email fordw@clemson.edu. — by Will Vandervort

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2011-2012 CLEMSON ATHLETICS YEAR-IN-REVIEW

Program Overview • Clemson won three ACC Championships in the 2011-12 academic year, one in football and two in women’s track & field. • The football team broke a 20-year drought with its conference championship after defeating Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game in December. • The women’s track & field program swept the ACC indoor and outdoor championships for the third straight year, giving the program six consecutive team titles. • Six programs finished the 2011-12 season with a top-25 national ranking. The highest ranked team to end the season was women’s track & field, which finished in a tie for fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The other sports that finished their respective season in the top 25 were football, golf, rowing, women’s tennis and women’s indoor track & field. • Eighty-one total student-athletes graduated in the December and May ceremonies during the academic year. • The football and golf programs were honored by the NCAA with Academic Performance Public Recognition Awards, after ranking among the top 10 percent in Division I in APR scores. Larry Penley’s golf team had a perfect 1000 score for the sixth time in eight years. • All 19 of Clemson’s athletic teams scored above the 925 APR threshold and 16 were above 970 over a four-year compilation of data released by the NCAA. • Three Clemson student-athletes – Seth Broster from swimming and Alyssa Kulik and Kim Ruck from track & field – were recipients of NCAA postgraduate scholarships. The Tiger athletic program had never previously had three award winners in the same academic year.

Basketball, Men’s • Clemson finished the regular season 8-8 in the ACC, the fifth straight season the Tigers were .500 or better in conference play. It is the longest streak of break even or better seasons in Clemson’s 58 years in the Atlantic Coast Conference. • The Tigers defeated three teams

Baseball • Clemson advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 25th time in the last 26 seasons, with a berth in the Columbia Regional. • The Tigers defeated eight teams ranked in the top 25, including three over No. 1 Florida

Tanner Smith was Clemson’s second leading scorer in 2011-12 and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team for a fourth straight season. Photo by Rex Brown

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Orange: The Experience

State, two at home and one in the ACC Tournament. • Jon McGibbon smacked a three-run walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Clemson to a 9-7 victory over the top-ranked Seminoles. • Clemson had five walk-off hits in 2012, tied for most in a season under Head Coach Jack Leggett with the 2003 squad. • Richie Shaffer was a first-round selection in the Major League Draft, the 25th pick overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was the 15th first-round selection in Clemson history. • A total of seven Clemson players were taken in the 40 rounds of the MLB Draft, giving Leggett a total of 96 players drafted in his tenure with the Tigers. • Shaffer and Phil Pohl were named first-team All-ACC. Shaffer was named a first-team All-American by Perfect Game. • Jason Stolz committed only four errors in 63 games at shortstop, and none over the final 34 games of the season. He had a .985 fielding percentage for the season. • Pohl was a first-team Capital One Academic All-American and finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

that advanced to the NCAA Tournament (Florida State, NC State and Virginia), all at home. The win over Virginia on Feb. 14 was over a 22nd-ranked Cavalier team. • Clemson defeated eventual ACC Tournament champion Florida State by 20, the Seminoles’ largest margin of defeat. • The Tigers snapped an 18-game losing streak at Wake Forest’s Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Prior to this season’s 78-58 win, Clemson’s lone win in the facility came in 1990, its inaugural year. • Clemson was second in the ACC in scoring defense in 2011-12, yielding just 60.6 points per game to the opposition. That was the second-best figure by a Clemson team since 1950.

• Andre Young was named to the All-ACC Defensive Team by the media, and Tanner Smith was named to the Fan’s Guide All-Defensive Team. The two roommates and senior leaders tied each other for the season with 52 steals. • Smith was named to the All-ACC Academic Team for the fourth time in his career, just the second player in school history (joining Shawan Robinson) to be named to the team all four years. • Each of the four members of the 2012 se-

nior class graduated from Clemson. Smith and Bryan Narcisse were awarded degrees in December, and then presented diplomas before the Wake Forest game on Jan. 28 after missing graduation due to a tournament. Young and Catalin Baciu earned their undergraduate degrees at the May ceremonies. Basketball, Women’s • Nikki Dixon was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team in 2012, just the sixth player in Clemson women’s basketball history named to the all-rookie squad. • Dixon was named ACC Rookie-of-theWeek on three occasions during the 2011-12 season. • Dixon was second among all ACC freshman in scoring at 12.4 points per game, and led all league rookies with 2.6 steals per game. • Lindsey Mason was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and earned her undergraduate degree in nursing from Clemson in May. • Mason blocked 72 shots for the season and was second among all ACC players with 2.7 blocks per game. • Quinyotta Pettaway earned the team’s Most Improved Award after averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 more rebounds per game as a sophomore than she did as a freshman. • Itoro Coleman and her coaching staff signed a consensus top-20 class for 2012. The five-player class includes Nikki Dixon the nation’s No. 17 rated was a member overall prospect Jonquel of the All-ACC Freshman Team. Jones, a guard/forward from the Bahamas. Photo by • Jones played in the Dawson Powers

2012 WBCA All-America Game on March 31. • Incoming signee Danaejah Grant was named a PARADE All-American. Football Final National Rank: #22

• The Tigers won the 2011 ACC Championship, the program’s first in 20 years. Clemson defeated Virginia Tech in the championship game, 38-10. • Clemson finished the season with a 10-4 record and No. 22 final ranking in both polls. It was the first time since 1990 the Tiger football program won 10 games in a single season. • Clemson became the first school in ACC history to defeat three consecutive teams ranked in the Associated Press poll when the Tigers knocked off No. 21 Auburn, No. 11 Florida State and No. 11 Virginia Tech early in the season. • The Tigers won their first eight games of the season and were ranked as high as No. 5 in the BCS on Oct. 23, the highest ranking in school history. • Clemson defeated four top-25 teams, tied for third-most in the nation. • The Tigers defeated third-ranked Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, the highest ranked opponent Clemson has defeated in program history. • The win over Auburn snapped the defending National Champions’ 17-game winning streak on Sept. 17. • The Oct. 1 win over Virginia Tech, 23-3, was Clemson’s largest margin of victory on the road against a top-25 opponent. • Clemson made its first appearance in the

Sport-by-Sport Performance, 2011-12 Sport

Home

Away

Neutral

ACC

Overall

Pct.

ACC Reg.

ACC Tourn.

Nat. Rank

All ACC

All Amer. Top-25 Wins

1-2 - 4 1 Baseball 21-14 9-11 5-3 16-14 35-28 .555 3 (Atl.) Men’s Basketball 11-5 4-8 1-2 8-8 16-15 .516 7th L, 1st Rd - - - Women’s Basketball 3-12 3-9 0-1 2-14 6-22 .214 12th L, 1st Rd - - - Men’s Cross Country - - - - - - - 10th - 1 - Women’s Cross Country - - - - - - - 6th - - - Football 7-0 2-3 1-1 6-2 10-4 .714 1st (Atl.) W, 38-10 22nd 9 3 Golf - - - - - - - 4th 23rd 1 1 Women’s Rowing - - - - - - - 2nd 20th 3 1 Men’s Soccer 5-4 3-4-2 0-0 4-4 8-8-2 .500 7th L, Quar. - - - Women’s Soccer 4-7 2-5 0-0 0-10 6-12 .333 11th - - - - Men’s Swimming & Diving - - - 3-2 6-3 .667 5th 8th - 4 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving - - - 2-4 5-5 .500 T-7th 10th - - - Men’s Tennis 5-4 4-7 0-3 5-6 9-14 .391 T-6th L, 1st Rd - - - Women’s Tennis 8-2 6-5 2-3 8-3 16-10 .615 4th L, Quar. 25th 2 - Men’s Indoor Track & Field - - - - - - - 5th T-45th 6 1 Women’s Indoor Track & Field - - - - - - - 1st T-5th 17 9 Men’s Outdoor Track & Field - - - - - - - 5th T-40th 4 2 Women’s Outdoor Track & Field - - - - - - - 1st T-4th 23 13 Volleyball 11-2 6-7 3-2 12-8 20-11 .645 5th - - 3 - rd

july 2012

8 1 4 2 3 -

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Bowl Championship Series by playing in the Discover Orange Bowl. It was Clemson’s first trip to the Orange Bowl since the Tigers beat Nebraska to win the National Championship in the 1982 edition of the game. • Dabo Swinney was the recipient of the 2011 Bobby Dodd National Coach-of-the-Year award. • Chad Morris was named the 2011 National Coordinator-of-theYear by Rivals.com. • Clemson had three All-Americans in 2012, including Dwayne Allen, Andre Branch and Sammy Watkins. • Allen won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. • Watkins was named the National Freshman-of-the-Year by Rivals. com and Sporting News after finishing the season fourth nationally in all-purpose yards per game. Andre Branch was • Watkins was also the ACC Freshman-of-thean All-American Year as voted by league media. defensive end • Clemson had five first-team All-ACC selecand a secondtions, including record-setting quarterback Tajh round pick in the Boyd. He was the first Clemson sophomore quarNFL Draft. terback to be named first-team All-ACC since Photo by Rex Brown Harvey White in 1957. • Four Clemson players were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft: Branch (second round), Allen Men’s Student-Athlete Honors (third round), Brandon Thompson (third round) and Coty Sensabaugh (fourth round). Sport All-American All-ACC Golf Baseball Final National Rank: #23 Richie Shaffer, Jr. (3B, 3rd) Richie Shaffer, Jr. (3B, 1st) • Clemson advanced to the NCAA Tourna Phil Pohl, Sr. (DH, 1st) ment for the 31st consecutive year. The Tigers Thomas Brittle, Jr. (OF, 2nd) Steve Wilkerson, So. (2B, 2nd) played in the Bowling Green Regional and finished 11th. Cross country • The Tigers finished fourth at the ACC Tour Ty McCormack, So. nament at Old North State Club in Uwharrie Football Point, NC in April. Corbin Mills was the team’s Dwayne Allen, Jr. (TE, 1st) Dwayne Allen, Jr. (TE, 1st) top individual, finishing sixth. Andre Branch, Sr. (DE, 1st) Tajh Boyd, So. (QB, 1st) • Clemson won two tournaments in the spring Sammy Watkins, Fr. (WR, 1st) Andre Branch, Sr. (DE, 1st) in back-to-back events, first at the USCA Cleve Dalton Freeman, Jr. (C, 1st) land Classic on March 5-6 and then the Furman Sammy Watkins, Fr. (WR, 1st) Invitational on March 16-18. Chandler Catanzaro, So. (PK, 2nd) • The Tigers also had two runner-up finishes, Andre Ellington, Jr. (RB, 2nd) one in the fall at the Jerry Pate Invitational and Brandon Thompson, Sr. (DT, 2nd) one in the spring at the Westin Rio Mar Classic Sammy Watkins, Fr. (KR, 2nd) in Puerto Rico. Golf • Mills competed in the 2012 Masters and the Corbin Mills, Jr. (3rd) Corbin Mills, Jr. (1st) RBC Heritage as a result of winning the U.S. Swimming & Diving Public Links title in the summer of 2011. He Eric Bruck, Jr. (50 Free) *Eric Bruck, Jr. (50 Free) announced in June he would be turning profes *Eric Bruck, Jr. (100 Free) sional after his junior season. *Chris Dart, Sr. (200 Back) • Mills was named All-ACC at the end of the Chris Dart, Sr. (100 Back) season, his first such selection. Indoor Track & Field • Mills was named a third-team All-American Spencer Adams, Jr. (60m Hurdles, 1st) *Spencer Adams, Jr. (60m Hurdles) by Golfweek and was one of 10 semifinalists for Justin Murdock, Sr. (60m Dash) the Ben Hogan Award. Marcus Maxey, Jr. (60m Hurdles) • Mills shot a final round 67 to win medalist Chris Slate, Sr. (800m) honors at the Jerry Pate Invitational at the Old Torian Ware, Fr. (High Jump) Overton Course in Birmingham, AL in October. Shai Carpenter, Fr. (Triple Jump) • Four Clemson golfers were named to the Outdoor Track & Field Ping All-Region team, including Mills, McCuen Spencer Adams, Jr. (110m Hurdles, 1st) Chris Slate, Sr. (800m) Elmore, Billy Kennerly and Crawford Reeves. Warren Fraser, Jr. (100m Dash, 2nd) Spencer Adams, Jr. (110m Hurdles) • Jordan Byrd was one of three finalists for the Marcus Maxey, Jr. (110m Hurdles) 2012 Jan Strickland Award, presented to the top Spencer Adams, Jr. (400m Hurdles) assistant coach in collegiate golf. Note: * - ACC Champion

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Orange: The Experience

• Clemson had four players in both the Masters and U.S. Open. Rowing Final National Rank: #20

overall record. The eight wins were the most for the Tiger program since 2006. • The Tigers defeated two nationally-ranked opponents in 2011, including No. 1 Maryland at home on Oct. 28. • Phanuel Kavita scored the game-winning goal in the historic win over top-ranked Maryland with 5:35 left in regulation. The Tigers played a man down for most of the game after a player received a red card just 23 minutes into the game. • Cody Mizell was named second-team AllACC at the goalkeeper position. He was the first men’s soccer player from Clemson to be named all-conference since the 2008 season. • Mizell had a 1.28 goals allowed average and 72 saves for the season. • Brynjar Benediktsson and Amadou Dia were both named to the All-ACC Freshman Team, the

• Clemson was runner-up to Virginia for the ACC Championship for a third straight year, with the Cavaliers winning by a four-point margin. • The Tigers won the Varsity 4+ competition at the ACC Championships, their first title in the event since 2009. The crew consisted of coxswain Carissa Richardson, Taylor Hoynacki, Katie Mosier, Rebekah Clogston and Kenzie DuBrul. • Clemson finished second in the other three races held at the ACC Championships, the First Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+ and Novice 8+. • The Tigers were ranked in the top 20 for a fourth straight year in the national poll. • Heather Cummings was named a second-team All-American according to the CRCA. • Kate Biladeau, Becca Brown and Cummings were named to the All-ACC team. It was the first career allconference honor for each student-athlete. • Cummings and Laura D’Urso were Above: Brynjar named to the CRCA South All-Region First Team, while Benediktsson was National Player of the Week after Biladeau, Katie Bruggeling and Giulia contributing to both of Longatti were second-team selections. Clemson’s goals in a win • Clemson’s First Varsity 8+ was over top-ranked Maryland named ACC Crew-of-the-Week on last October. March 28 after the Tigers posted their Photo by Dawson Powers best time of the season in defeating Kansas in a dual meet. At right: Maddy Elder • The Tigers’ First Varsity 8+ won ranked among the ACC’s the petite final at the San Diego Crew offensive leaders in 2011. Classic, defeating teams such as TenPhoto by Rex Brown nessee, Texas and Washington State. • Becca Brown was one of four student- first time Clemson had two players honored in athletes from Clemson to earn an ACC post- the same season. Benediktsson led Clemson in graduate scholarship. scoring with seven goals and 19 points. • Eight Tigers were named National Scholar • Benediktsson was named ACC Player-ofAthletes by the CRCA, including Brown, who the-Week and National Player-of-the-Week earned the honor for a third time. by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America after scoring a goal and contributSoccer, Men’s ing an assist in the Tigers’ 2-1 win over No. 1 • Clemson finished the season with an 8-8-2 Maryland.

• Benediktsson was named third-team AllSouth by the NSCAA, and was also a secondteam Freshman All-American by Soccer America. • Dia and Kavita were invited to the U.S. Under-20 National Team training camp in Florida in January. • Clemson ranked ninth nationally according to the NCAA with an average attendance of 2,111 fans, an 11-spot improvement over the previous season. • Benediktsson, Mizell and Austin Savage were named to the All-ACC Academic Team after the season. Soccer, Women’s • Clemson won its first five matches in 2011 under first-year Head Coach Eddie Radwanski. • Maddy Elder led the Tigers in scoring for the third straight year, recording eight goals and six assists for 22 total points. She was eighth in the ACC in goals and points per game. • Liska Dobberstein was named to the AllACC Freshman Team after posting six goals and five assists for a total of 17 points as a rookie. • Elder and Dobberstein were named to the All-ACC Academic Team after the season. • Assistant Coach Siri Mullinix served as goalkeepers coach for the U.S. Under-18 National Team in 2012. Swimming & Diving

• Eric Bruck earned All-America honors with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in the 50 freestyle. He and Chris Dart combined to compete in four events at the national meet. • Bruck won two ACC championships for the Tigers, winning the 50 and 100 free events. • Dart won the 200 backstroke at the ACC Championships and was runner-up in the conference race for the 100 back. • Bruck qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 freestyle after a time of 49.70 on a 50-meter course at Seattle University in March. Chris Reinke also qualified in both the 50 and 100 free. • Dart competed in both backstroke events july 2012

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Josipa Bek broke Clemson’s all-time combined wins mark in her final collegiate match. Photo by Rex Brown

at the British Olympic Trials in March. • Dart and women’s swimmer Meg Anderson were named to the All-ACC Academic Team after the season. • Anderson was ACC Women’s Performerof-the-Week on Jan. 31 after setting four pool records in two weekend meets. • The women’s swimming & diving program was named a Scholar All-America Team for its 3.55 team GPA for the fall semester. • Six members of the Tiger swimming & diving program participated in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June. Tennis, Men’s • Clemson finished the season 9-14 overall, 5-6 in the ACC. The Tigers were the No. 7 seed in the ACC Tournament and improved their ACC win total by three over the 2010 season. • The Tigers won back-to-back matches over top-75 ranked opponents. Clemson won at No. 68 Georgia Tech, 4-3, on March 5 and then knocked off No. 59 Miami at home, 6-1. • Yannick Maden was named to the AllACC team, his first career all-conference honor. He led the Tigers with a 24-12 record. • Maden advanced to the final four of the ITA Carolinas Regional last fall and was ranked most of the season in the ITA singles poll.

with 224. She broke the record in her final team match, winning at No. 2 singles over Georgia’s Nadja Gilchrist. • Wong advanced to the NCAA Singles Championships and won eight matches against nationally-ranked players as a senior. • Both Bek and Wong finished their respec-

Track & Field Final Women’s Indoor Rank: T-5th; Final Women’s Outdoor Rank: T-4th

Tennis, Women’s Final National Rank: #25

• Clemson advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th consecutive season, and has advanced to at least the second round each of the 11 seasons. • The Tigers knocked off No. 36 ranked Arizona State in the opening round, 4-0, before falling in a heartbreaker to No. 6 national seed Georgia in Athens, 4-3. • Clemson earned a bye as one of the top four seeds in the ACC after compiling an 8-3 conference record. • The Tigers defeated three top-25 opponents in 2012, all away from home. Clemson beat No. 13 Virginia and No. 19 Georgia Tech on the road and No. 23 Mississippi at a neutral site location. • Keri Wong and Klara Vyskocilova were named All-ACC. It was Wong’s third career honor and Vyskocilova’s first accolade. She was 24-10 in singles, including 9-2 against ACC opponents. • Josipa Bek broke the all-time school record for combined singles and doubles wins

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Orange: The Experience

tive careers in the top 10 in Clemson history in singles victories, doubles victories and combined victories. • The tandem of Bek and Wong finished with a 57-19 career record together in doubles. • Bek and Wong, along with fellow senior Nelly Ciolkowski, earned their undergraduate degrees on May 11 at the evening ceremony after leading the Tigers to victory earlier in the day over Arizona State in Athens, GA.

Spencer Adams was an indoor and outdoor All-American in the high hurdles. Photo courtesy University of Virginia

• Clemson produced a pair of top-five finishes in women’s track & field, including a program-best tie for fourth place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. • The Tiger women swept the indoor and outdoor ACC Championships for a third straight season. • The women’s team had 22 total first- or second-team All-Americans, including 13 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. • Spencer Adams was an indoor and outdoor All-American in the men’s high hurdles, finishing a career-best third place at the outdoor meet in June. • Brianna Rollins and Bridgette Owens finished second and third, respectively, at both the NCAA indoor and outdoor national meet in the high hurdles. • The Tigers had three ACC Meet MVP winners: Dezerea Bryant (indoor track), April Sinkler (outdoor field) and Marlena Wesh (outdoor track). • Wesh was an indoor and outdoor firstteam All-American in the 400-meter dash.

woMen’s Student-Athlete Honors Sport All-American

All-ACC

Rowing Heather Cummings, Jr. (2nd)

Kate Biladeau, Sr. (1st) Becca Brown, Sr. (1st) Heather Cummings, Jr. (1st)

Tennis

Keri Wong, Sr. (1st) Klara Vyskocilova, So. (1st)

Indoor Track & Field Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (60m, 1st) Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (200m, 1st) Marlena Wesh, Jr. (400m, 1st) Brianna Rollins, Jr. (60m Hurdles, 1st) Bridgette Owens, So. (60m Hurdles, 1st) Jasmine Brunson, Jr. (Triple Jump, 1st) Jasmine Edgerson, Jr. (60m, 2nd) Stormy Kendrick, Jr. (60m, 2nd) Keni Harrison, Fr. (60m Hurdles, 2nd)

*Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (60m) *Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (200m) *Marlena Wesh, Fr. (400m) *Nia Fluker, Fr. (4x400m) *Keni Harrison, Fr. (4x400m) *Stormy Kendrick, Jr. (4x400m) *Marlena Wesh, Jr. (4x400m) *Brianna Rollins, Jr. (60m Hurdles) *Jasmine Brunson, Jr. (Triple Jump) *Brittney Waller, Jr. (Weight Throw) Jasmine Edgerson, Jr. (60m) Stormy Kendrick, Jr. (60m) Stormy Kendrick, Jr. (200m) Alyssa Kulik, Sr. (Mile) Bridgette Owens, So. (60m Hurdles) Jasmine Edgerson, Jr. (60m Hurdles) Whitney Fountain, So. (Pentathlon)

Outdoor Track & Field Marlena Wesh, Jr. (400m, 1st) Alyssa Kulik, Sr. (Steeplechase, 1st) Brianna Rollins, So. (100m Hurdles, 1st) Bridgette Owens, So. (100m Hurdles, 1st) Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (4x100m, 1st) Jasmine Edgerson, Jr. (4x100m, 1st) Stormy Kendrick, Jr. (4x100m, 1st) Marlena Wesh, Jr. (4x100m, 1st) April Sinkler, Sr. (Triple Jump, 1st) Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (200m, 2nd) Monique Gracia, Sr. (100m Hurdles, 2nd) Keni Harrison, Fr. (100m Hurdles, 2nd) Keni Harrison, Fr. (400m Hurdles, 2nd)

*Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (100m) *Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (200m) *Marlena Wesh, Jr. (400m) *Alyssa Kulik, Sr. (Steeplechase) *Dezerea Bryant, Fr. (4x100m) *Jasmine Edgerson, Jr. (4x100m) *Bridgette Owens, So. (4x100m) *Marlena Wesh, Jr. (4x100m) *Nia Fluker, Fr. (4x400m) *Keni Harrison, Fr. (4x400m) *Brittany Pringley, So. (4x400m) *Marlena Wesh, Jr. (4x400m) *Bridgette Owens, So. (100m Hurdles) *Keni Harrison, Fr. (400m Hurdles) *April Sinkler, Sr. (High Jump) Jasmine Edgerson, Jr. (100m) Marlena Wesh, Jr. (200m) Monique Gracia, Sr. (100m Hurdles) Keni Harrison, Fr. (100m Hurdles) Christy Gasparino, So. (Pole Vault) April Sinkler, Sr. (Long Jump) April Sinkler, Sr. (Triple Jump) Whitney Fountain, Fr. (Heptathlon)

Volleyball Sandra Adeleye, Jr. (HM)

Sandra Adeleye, Jr. (MH, 1st) Alexa Rand, Jr. (OH, 1st) Serenat Yaz, Jr. (OH/RS, 1st)

Note: * - ACC Champion

• Clemson’s women won a total of 16 individual and relay championships at the ACC indoor and outdoor competitions. • Lawrence Johnson was named ACC and Southeast Region Women’s Coach of the Year both indoor and outdoor for a third straight year. • Rollins was named ACC Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, while Bryant was the indoor and outdoor Freshman of the Year. • Wesh was named ACC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, while Sinkler won the Field Athlete of the Year accolade. • Bryant was named Southeast Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, while Wesh earned the honor for outdoor season. • The Clemson men’s team had 10 All-ACC performers in 2012, including ACC indoor 60-meter hurdles champion Adams. • Bryant was the USA Junior Champion in the 100 dash, Clemson’s first in any event since Todd Matthews in 1998. • Fifteen athletes with ties to the Tiger track & field program competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in late June. • Wesh qualified to compete in the Olympic Games for Haiti, while Warren Fraser qualified in the 100 dash for the Bahamas. Volleyball • Clemson finished the season 20-11 overall, 12-8 in the ACC. The Tigers finished fifth in the ACC regular season standings, a four-spot improvement from the previous season. • The Tigers compiled an 11-2 (.846) record in Jervey Gym, the program’s best home winning percentage for a single season since the 1999 team went 14-1. • Clemson knocked off No. 22 Miami on Nov. 19, Senior Night at Jervey Gym. It was Clemson’s first win over a ranked team since 2007. • Three players earned All-ACC recognition – Sandra Adeleye, Alexa Rand and Serenat Yaz. • Adeleye, who was all-conference for the third time in as many seasons with the Tigers, was among the top 10 in the ACC in kills per set and hitting percentage. • Adeleye was named to the AVCA AllEast Region Team for the third time in as many years. • Rand and Yaz both earned All-ACC honors for the first time. Raz was one of the ACC and nation’s best in blocks per set, while Yaz led the Tigers in kills per set in ACC games. july 2012

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THE MAYOR OF

Clemson University Despite Accolades on the Field, Tajh Boyd Still Same Caring Person He Has Always Been Off the Field

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Orange: The Experience

by Will Vandervort photos by Rex Brown Tajh Boyd (center) and his teammates take time out of their busy schedules each fall to reach out in service to the community.

t was just a simple trip to North Carolina. Tajh Boyd, his brother T.J., former Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen and a few others decided to hit the rapids in the North Carolina mountains last summer. It sounded like fun at the time, but there was one problem - Boyd did not know how to swim. “None of us had ever been before, so we decided it would be fun to do,” said Clemson senior Danielle Lester, who is a good friend of both Boyd and Allen. “Then Tajh told us he didn’t know how to swim. Well, that’s a good idea, right? It’s preseason, the summer before his first year as the starting quarterback, so we decided to go whitewater rafting with the Clemson quarterback. Good idea!” At the beginning, it did seem like a good idea. The rapids were calm, at first, Boyd sings the and everyone seemed Clemson alma to be having a good mater with one of time. Then things his favorite targets, started picking up. wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, “All was going after the win at well, until we hit Maryland last fall. these crazy rapids,” Lester said. “Dwayne was falling in the river and pulling on Tajh. It was funny because Tajh was screaming like a child as he was trying to prevent falling in this water. “Obviously, all of us fell in the water and there Tajh was, floating like a log down the river. He survived, so that’s good,” Lester laughed. “He was probably the most uncomfortable person you have seen floating down the river. It was great.” That trip to North Carolina is pretty much how most of life outside of football is with Boyd. No matter where he goes or what he is doing, you are sure to have a good time, and Boyd will be the one who entertains. “I don’t think you have to be so serious all the time,” Boyd said. “There is a time in life to be serious, and of course I’m very serious about football and my school work, but you have to know when to loosen up. It’s just as important to have a good time as it is to be serious. Being able to unwind and forget about what you have to do is good for your psyche.”

Obviously, there isn’t anything wrong with Boyd’s psyche, and he proved that in his first year as the starting quarterback. In 2011, no quarterback in the Atlantic Coast Conference was better. Boyd led the ACC in passing yards (3,828), total offense (4,046) and touchdown responsibility (38), leading the Tigers to their first conference championship in 20 years. He earned Most Valuable Player honors in

Very seldom do you ever see Boyd without a smile. No matter what he does in his day-to-day activities, the Clemson quarterback always does it with a smile that goes from ear-to-ear. “That’s just who he is. He gets that from me,” said his mother, Carla Boyd. These days, it seems as if Tajh Boyd’s smile is even brighter as he and the rest of the Clemson football team prepare for the 2012 season, which is less than two months away. Boyd should be happy as a quarterback who returns all but one of his major weapons from last year’s record-setting offense. The Tigers return All-American wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who as a true freshman caught 82 passes for a Clemson record 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns. Preseason All-ACC wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is also back. He tallied 72 catches for 978 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. All-ACC running back Andre Ellington decided to return for his senior year, giving Clemson a running back that rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns. “The exciting thing is, we have just about everybody coming back,” Boyd said. “That’s going to help a lot. We all understand what we are supposed to do and we understand each other as well. That’s going to help this summer as we get together and throw, as well as when we start practice in August. “I think, as an offense, we have a chance to be even better than we were.” It should also help that Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris has thrown in some new wrinkles, too. Last winter, Morris and several of his offenBoyd, former Clemson tight sive coaches visited the ACC Championship Game after end Dwayne Allen (front left) Nevada and Oklathrowing for 250 yards and account- and brother T.J. (back right) homa State to find accompany Laura Hoover ways to get better ing for four touchdowns in Clemson’s (middle left) and Danielle and keep defenses 38-10 victory over No. 3 Virginia Lester (middle right) on a guessing on what he Tech. whitewater rafting trip last will do in the fall. “Tajh had an excellent season last summer. Photo courtesy of year,” Head Coach Dabo Swinney With things goDanielle Lester said. “He is a very hard worker and ing well on the field, made so much of an improvement Boyd continues to over the off-season. He will continue to work thrive off it as well. hard to get better, that is his nature. “He has always been a good friend,” said “We all look forward to seeing what he can fellow student Eppy Dendy. “From the first do with a full year in this system under his time I met him, he was smiling, and he always belt.” gives you a hug. He is so friendly.” july 2012

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Boyd’s non-football friends describe him as very laid back. Despite his success on the field as the starting quarterback of a major college football program, he does not come off as over confident or cocky. He is very humble. “He is a remarkable person,” said Wylie McCall, also a student at Clemson. “He brings a smile to my face every time I see him. He does that to everybody. He is great. When he asks you, ‘How is your day going?’ He means it. He wants to know how you and your family are doing. “He is a great guy.” Boyd’s level of generosity does not stop with his friends or Clemson fans. He is even nice to South Carolina fans. “My grandfather is a diehard Gamecock fan, but Tajh came over and sat with us at a baseball game and was just so nice to him,” Lester said. “My grandfather has not forgotten that. He loves Tajh, and has become a Tajh Boyd fan. “I gave him a picture Tajh signed for him at Christmas.”

Boyd was firstteam All-ACC at quarterback in 2011 after leading the Tigers to their first ACC Championship in 20 years.

It isn’t hard to see or find Tajh Boyd in Clemson. The red-shirt junior comes to just about every sporting event and can be spotted at just about every Clemson University event as well. Some say, it isn’t a stretch to call him the “Mayor of Clemson University.” “Everybody knows Tajh, and Tajh knows everybody,” Lester said. “He is probably the most outgoing and personable human being that I have ever met. He can get to know somebody in an instant, and you feel like you have known him forever. There are not many people like that, especially athletes. “He will do anything for anybody. You tend to see some athletes that have an air about them. They will not have as much time for people, but Tajh isn’t like that. He comes to all kind of sporting events and Clemson events. He isn’t just hanging with his fellow athletes he is with his regular friends, too.”

Boyd outdueled good friend and fellow Tidewater area quarterback Logan Thomas in a 23-3 road win over Virginia Tech.

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Orange: The Experience

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Orange: The Experience

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Clemson’s 2012 Olympic Games Preview George Kitchens Feels the Presence of his old Coach, Makes Team USA at 29 ust one year removed from a collegiate long jumping career, George Kitchens could have easily called it quits. He could have thrown in the towel on July 8, 2006 when all of Clemson Athletics received the devastating news that a promising young coach, Jarrett Foster, died in a jet ski accident on Lake Keowee. Foster just so happened to be Kitchens’ personal event coach, and he vividly recalls the details of their last conversation. “Three or four days before he died, we were talking about my training,” said Kitchens, a four-time All-American and three-time ACC

Champion in the long jump for the Tigers from 2002-05. “It was something to this extent…’You’re not there yet. You don’t know everything you need to know to be a professional. But you could be.’ “He planted that seed. Hearing that come from him, who sometimes could be a stern coach, meant a lot to me. I spent a lot of time trying to find that after his death.” Kitchens saw years of pain, frustration and perseverance come to fruition on June 24 in Eugene, OR when he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team in the long jump. Seven years after his final collegiate competition for Clemson, he achieved the dream so many before him failed to achieve. It was never an easy journey for Kitchens, who trained in Clemson for years following his mentor’s death. He was omnipresent. Anyone who ever took a walk downtown Clemson, or went to the outdoor track for exercise, probably came across Kitchens without even realizing it. “I worked at a sushi restaurant downtown, I worked at the Madren Center, at GNC in Seneca – everywhere you could think of,” he said. “I was doing whatever I could to keep the dream alive.” By his own admission, the dream nearly died Former Clemson great George Kitchens realized his lifelong dream when he earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team in the long jump on June 24 at Oregon’s Historic Hayward Field. Photo by Cheryl Treworgy, Above photo by Shawn Cobey

2012 Olympic Games – Clemson Guide Dates: July 27 – August 12 Location: London, England Clemson Qualifiers: *Warren Fraser 100 Meters George Kitchens Long Jump Patricia Mamona Triple Jump *Marlena Wesh 400 Meters

The Bahamas United States Portugal Haiti

Other Potential Qualifiers: Gisele Oliveira Triple Jump Dwight Thomas 110 Hurdles

Brazil Jamaica

Note: * denotes current student-athlete

in 2006. And 2007. And 2008. Clemson had a revolving door of coaches, so Kitchens lacked consistency in his training. He constantly had to acclimate to a new way of doing things, and it affected the performances of the Hephzibah, GA native. “The only thing I truly had in my life was my love for the track, and jumping,” he said. “Regardless of all the coaches that came and went, that track and runway was always going to be there.” He thought he had received his first big break when he finished third at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships. However, his personal best 27-foot leap was wind-aided under USA Track & Field guidelines, and he had a month and a half to try and hit the A standard to qualify for the World Championships. Kitchens came up short in his quest for the A standard, which was 26’5” that year. The fourth-place finisher at the USA Championships, Miguel Pate, went in his place because he had already hit the A standard earlier in the season. It was a setback, one that caused prospective agents to question Kitchens’ quest to be a pro-

by Philip Sikes july 2012

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Shawn Crawford is the most decorated Olympian in Clemson history. He won gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece in the 200-meter dash and has three career medals to his credit. Photo courtesy of USA Track & Field

Clemson’s Olympic Tradition Former or current Clemson athletes have won 20 medals in the Olympics over the years. They have won 16 in individual sports and four as members of team sports. They have combined to win eight gold, four silver and eight bronze medals. Thirteen of the medals have been won for United States teams, four for Canadian teams, two for Jamaica and one for Great Britain. Men’s track has been the most productive sport for former or current Tigers in the Olympics, as eight medals have been won in that sport. Four Tigers have earned medals playing for the United States Olympic baseball team, while two each have been won in wrestling, women’s swimming, women’s track and women’s tennis. All of Clemson’s medals have been won since 1984. In Los Angeles that year, four former Tigers earned medals. Noel Loban, Clemson’s first NCAA Champion in any sport (1980 in wrestling) won a bronze medal for Great Britain in the 190-pound category. Desai Williams and Tony Sharpe won bronze medals in track for the Canadian team. Michelle Richardson became the first Clemson female to win a medal when she won silver in the 800 free for the U.S. team. Mike Milchin became the first Clemson athlete with a gold medal, as he was a pitcher on the 1988 U.S. team that won. Mitzi Kremer won a bronze for the U.S. swimming team, giving the Clemson swimming program a medalist in consecutive Olympics. The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta saw six current or former Clemson athletes win medals. Three were members of the 1996 U.S. baseball team that finished with a bronze medal. Three gold medals were collected as Kim Graham (women’s track), Carlton Chambers (men’s track) and Gigi Fernandez (doubles in women’s tennis) all won various events. Chambers, Kris Benson, Billy Koch and Matthew LeCroy were all current Clemson students in 1996. Those were the only current Clemson athletes to win medals. Shawn Crawford won the gold medal in the 200 meters in track in 2004 and also captured silver as a member of the 4x100 relay team. He became the first Clemson athlete to win two medals in the same Olympics. He added silver in the 200 meters in 2008, giving him three total medals in his career, also more than any other former Tiger. - Tim Bourret

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Orange: The Experience

fessional long jumper. “The last two or three years, I’ve spent time trying to get an agent,” he said. “But they kept saying my jumps were wind-aided. I’ve had some say, ‘Maybe you don’t have it. Maybe you just aren’t Team USA material.’ But in my heart, I always thought I put up one of the best series of jumps in the competition in 2009. I’ve had to try and prove myself since then.” One of the jumpers that finished ahead of Kitchens at that 2009 meet was Dwight Phillips, former Olympic gold medalist and five-time World Champion. As the two competed against one another at a meet in Great Britain that summer, Phillips reached out to Kitchens and offered him the chance to train with him in Atlanta. Kitchens was taken aback at first, but grateful for Phillips’ offer of assistance. “I saw it as an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “At that time, every long jumper idolized Dwight. That’s the type of guy I wanted to be around. It was good to go down and pick up his mentality, and how he approaches it. I definitely want to thank him for extending the opportunity. It helped.” As he continued to compete as an unattached athlete in various college meets around the Southeast, Kitchens had his sights set on 2012, an Olympic year. Working as a personal trainer for a fitness facility near his hometown in Augusta, he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials with a mark of 26’8.5” in a March meet at the University of Georgia. Knowing he had the U.S. Trials in the bag, he again chased the Olympic A standard, 8.20 meters, or 26’11”. He competed internationally in a few meets, but like much of his post-collegiate career, he encountered his share of adversity. “I had a fouling problem earlier this year,” said Kitchens, who was almost exclusively training himself. “I really fouled badly in Brazil, but I was jump-

The late Jarrett Foster coached Kitchens to four All-America honors and three individual ACC Championships from 2002-05. Photos courtesy of Clemson Sports Information

ing about 27 feet. Those were things I couldn’t see – I couldn’t make the adjustment. I went to Korea about a week later, and had the same problem. I knew I needed a specialist to shape me up. I needed someone for support.” That support came in the person of Kareem Streete-Thompson, a threetime Olympian in the long jump for the Cayman Islands. “Kareem was very supportive of my talent, and he stepped up and took on that task,” he said. “And, we’ve been successful.” That showed in the prelims for the long jump on June 22 when Kitchens was one of 12 competitors to advance to the final. His best mark out of three jumps was only 25’3.5”, but he used the qualifying round to work out his nerves. Those nerves were put to the test while warming up for the final two days later, when Kitchens found himself running five or six feet past the board on his approach. CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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He and Streete-Thompson straightened it out, and as Kitchens put it, “the rest was history.” “I fouled my first jump, and it was huge – probably 27’5”,” he said. “I knew once I got on the board, that the rest would take care of itself.” He was right. On his next jump, he jumped 8.02 meters, or 26’3.75” to move into second place in the competition. Suddenly, sportswriters and NBC broadcasters were scouring their notes trying to figure out who George Kitchens was. On his third and final jump of the opening round, he hit the board perfectly and launched himself through the air and into the greatest leap of his life. The measurement was called out by the USATF official – 8.21 meters (26’11.25”). Halfway through the final, Kitchens had met and surpassed the Olympic A standard. “It wasn’t a big, dramatic situation for me at that point,” he said. “I knew it would take that Kitchens (back) was a fixture in Clemson during and long after his collegiate days. kind of mark to make the team.” He joined former teammates Roy Cheney (left) and Ronald Richards at the track What it also took to make the team was to program’s alumni reunion in 2010. Photo by Tyler Smith hold off all challengers, as he stood in third place with three more jumps to go. Christian Taylor, a former Florida standout vying to make the U.S. squad in Clemson’s Olympic Medal Summary the long jump and triple jump, was fourth with a best of 8.11 Athlete Team Country Event Medal meters. Kitchens did not improve on his mark in the final three 1984 jumps, but his mettle was put to the test as Taylor and others Noel Loban Wrestling Great Britain 190 Pounds Bronze Michelle Richardson Swimming United States 800 Free Silver took turns aiming to knock him off the podium. Desai Williams Men’s Track Canada Relay Bronze “Christian has a really good track record of doing well in Tony Sharpe Men’s Track Canada Relay Bronze championship meets,” he said. “He jumped well on his last attempt and hit a personal best…but I just breathed a big sigh 1988 of relief.” *Mike Milchin Baseball United States Pitcher Gold Standing on the runway ready for his sixth and final jump of *Mitzi Kremer Women’s Swimming United States Relay Bronze the competition, Kitchens fell to his knees. He was overcome by emotion. The dream he worked the past seven years for was 1992 finally a reality. He had made the U.S. Olympic Team. Mark McKoy Men’s Track Canada 110 Hurdles Gold “For me, it was redemption,” he said. “I go into the OlymGigi Fernandez Women’s Tennis United States Doubles Gold pics with all the things I’ve had to endure. Every single thing I can use as motivation, that’s what I’m going to do. 1996 “I believe I’m a champion as a person. I really don’t think Kim Graham Women’s Track United States 4x400 Relay Gold this is the end. I look forward to standing on that podium with *Carlton Chambers Men’s Track Canada 4x100 Relay Gold a medal in London. I’m still rising to the top.” Gigi Fernandez Women’s Tennis United States Women’s Doubles Gold *Kris Benson Baseball United States Pitcher Bronze It’s a rise that started with four years of training under Foster *Billy Koch Baseball United States Pitcher Bronze in Clemson. *Matthew LeCroy Baseball United States Catcher/DH Bronze Of all the techniques he’s been taught over the years, and of all the coaches that have come and gone, Foster’s impact stood 2000 the test of time. Sam Henson Wrestling United States 55 Kg Silver “One thing Coach Foster would do, and I really appreciate it now, he would coach me and then he’d give me space to 2004 figure things out,” he said. “It always worked, and it still does Shawn Crawford Track United States 200 Dash Gold today.” Shawn Crawford Track United States 4x100 Relay Silver As he prepares for the biggest moment of his athletic career, Michelle Burgher Track Jamaica 4x400 Relay Bronze 29-year old George Kitchens is the ultimate testament to patience. He is finally ready to be a professional. 2008 He can credit Foster for planting that seed just days before Shawn Crawford Track United States 200 Dash Silver his untimely death. Dwight Thomas Track Jamaica 4x100 Relay Gold “I can still feel his presence. I felt it at the Trials,” Kitchens Note: The following is a summary of athletes with Clemson ties who have won Olympic medals. said. * - indicates they won the medal as active Clemson students. And without a doubt, he will feel Foster’s presence next month as he competes in the Super Bowl of track & field.

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Orange: The Experience

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The Definition of Hard Work by Tim Bourret

Dale Davis’ Drive led to a Decorated Basketball Career

he first time Dale Davis played for Clemson in Littlejohn Coliseum, he couldn’t make a shot over two feet. He finished the game on November 30, 1987, with a 3-for-10 performance from the field and scored just six points against Baptist. Two days later in a win over Towson State, he shot 2-for-8 from the field, making him 5-for-18 in his first two games in Littlejohn. The next game, he was benched. Think of the odds you could have gotten at that time if you told someone that you predicted Dale Davis would become one of the all-time greats in Clemson history, the first member of the basketball program’s Ring of Honor, and an inductee into the state of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (an

by Tim Bourret honor he received in May). Nothing ever came easy for Dale Davis, and that was the case when he began his career on the court at Clemson. But, he had one character trait that carried him as a basketball player, and in everything he has done in his life. It is a character trait he came by naturally. “My mom always preached the importance of hard work and discipline,” said Davis of his mother Carolyn, who still plays a significant role in his life. “She was a great role model for me. “She gave me and my brother (Kevin) a great example every day. Sometimes she worked three jobs over the week so we could have something. Times were tough and much different when I was growing up nearly 30 years ago. “She always told us to put 110 percent in everything we did.” Armed with that strong work ethic ingrained in his mind from an early age, Davis grew as a basketball player at Clemson. By the eighth game of his first season the 6-foot-10, 230-pound power forward had his first career double-double, 12 points and 11 rebounds in just 20 minutes in a win over Augusta State. By the end of that freshman year he was challenging the top teams in the nation. On March 2, 1988 he had 23 points, 17 rebounds, four blocked shots and shot 9-for-12 from the field in a 79-77 win over ninth-ranked Duke. It was a Duke team that would reach the Final Four a month later. That was the first of three straight home wins for the Tigers over the Blue Devils during Davis’ career. In the final moments of that game, there Davis is one of only three players in Clemson history with at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. Photo courtesy Clemson Sports Information

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Orange: The Experience

Davis’ Career Honors › First Clemson Basketball Player inducted into Ring of Honor, 2000 › Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame › State of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame › First-Team All-ACC, 1989-90 › Honorable Mention All-American, 1989-90 › ACC’s top rebounder three straight years, only the second player to accomplish the feat › First-round draft pick, 13th overall selection, 1991 › NBA All-Star, 2000 › All-Time Indiana Pacers Team, 2007-08

was a loose ball after a Clemson missed shot. Davis dove on the floor between two other Duke players and came up with the ball to keep the Clemson possession alive. That one play told you all you needed to know about Dale Davis. That play had to bring a smile to his mom’s face, because it represented everything she had taught him. Davis averaged 17.3 points and 11.8 rebounds over the last four games of his freshman season and recorded double-doubles in three of the four. He finished the year as the top rebounding freshman in the ACC at 7.7 per game, shot 53 percent from the field and scored 7.8 points per game. As a sophomore, Davis improved to 13.3 points and 8.9 rebounds to go with a 67 percent field goal accuracy. He led the ACC in rebounding and field goal percentage and joined forces with Elden Campbell to lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament. In a victory at home over North Carolina, Davis had 21 points and 21 rebounds, the first Clemson player since Tree Rollins to have 20 of each in the same game. During one five-minute segment of that game, Davis got

every rebound. Not just for Clemson, I mean for both teams. Billy Packer was broadcasting the game and sitting four seats up from me towards midcourt. I was doing the game on the radio and we just looked at each other with the expression, “Can you believe this guy?” That was a key victory in Clemson’s drive to return to the NCAA Tournament. The 1989-90 season was a year Clemson had been pointing to. Davis was a junior, Campbell was a senior and junior college transfer guards Derrick Forrest, Kirkland Howling and Marion Cash were all seniors. Davis would average a double-double that season (15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game). He became the first ACC player in history to lead the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage in consecutive seasons (only Tim Duncan has done it since). Most importantly, the Tigers won the ACC regular season championship for the first and still only time in school history. “One of the reasons I chose Clemson was because I wanted to be a part of something special,” he said. “I grew up in Toccoa, GA and knew Clemson had the reputation of a football school. I wanted to make it known as a basketball school as well. “What we accomplished that year was special. Coach (Cliff) ElDavis was named to the Pacers’ 40th anniversary lis and the other coaches did a great all-time team in 2008. job that year, and we were really a Photo courtesy Indiana Pacers family. Coach Ellis focused on the team concept and it was a big reason we had such a great year. That Davis Named to was one of the most fun years I Indiana Pacers 40-Year have ever had.” Anniversary Team Davis and Campbell became Prior to the 2007-08 season, the known nationally as the “Duo of Indiana Pacers selected an all-time team Doom.” At 6-foot-10 and 6-footin conjunction with their 40th season. The 11, they were the best frontcourt team was based on a vote of the Pacers fans. More than 40,000 fans voted and Davis was duo in the nation. Davis was a named to the team, as he accumulated the ferocious rebounder and Campbell sixth highest vote total with 18,629. He was was a finesse player who led the joined on the team by former teammate team in scoring. Reggie Miller, who was the top vote getter. Campbell remembers playing Miller will be inducted into the Basketball with Davis, and recalled with a Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA this year. smile that it could be dangerous at Indiana Pacers times. 40-Year Anniversary Team “I just let Dale get all those reRk Player Votes bounds,” Campbell said. “He was 1. Reggie Miller 31,513 so aggressive I was afraid if I went 2. Mel Daniels 22,585 after some of those rebounds I 3. Jermaine O’Neal 22,277 wouldn’t get my arm back! 4. Rik Smits 20,786 “We were a good match because 5. George McGinnis 19,961 we complimented each other. And 6. Dale Davis 18,629 we were close friends off the court. 7. Mark Jackson 17,460 We were roommates that year.” 8. Billy Keller 13,592 Feb. 28, 1990 was a great night 9. Antonio Davis 13,143 in Littlejohn Coliseum as the Ti10. Roger Brown 13,131 gers defeated fifth-ranked Duke 11. Billy Knight 12,314 12. Clark Kellogg 10,656 97-93, a victory that clinched

Davis earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson and is a member of the school’s Ring of Honor, the highest honor a student-athlete can receive. Photo courtesy Clemson Sports Information july 2012

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at least a tie for the ACC regular season championship. The Tiger team cut down the nets after that game to the joy of a crowd of over 12,000 fans. Davis had 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Campbell added 22 points. Clemson went on to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament after a 79-75 win over La Salle in the NCAA Tournament. That Saturday afternoon in the Hartford Civic Center, another Davis character trait came to the forefront leadership. The Tigers trailed by 16 against a La Salle team that was ranked 12th in the nation and had lost just one game all year. It looked hopeless. Before the coaches came into the locker room, Davis addressed the team with a strong motivational speech. “I was not a player who did a lot of talking, but when I felt it was needed I would speak up,” said Davis. “We needed some motivation, even if it meant being a little critical.” Clemson came back from that 16-point deficit to gain victory. It is still the third greatest comeback in Clemson basketball history. Davis did his part with 26 points and 17 rebounds, and made many strong defensive plays against Explorers All-American Lionel Simmons. At the conclusion of his Clemson career, Davis had 1,650 points, still eighth in school history, and 1,216 rebounds, still second in school history. He joins Tree Rollins and Trevor Booker as the only players in Clemson history with at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. His career field goal percentage of .588 is still third-best in school history. NBA scouts had their doubts about Davis’ abilities as a scorer, but his relentless rebounding, defensive abilities and positive intangibles made him the 13th selection of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers, still the thirdhighest draft selection in Clemson history. Davis could not have been drafted into a better situation. The players he joined in Indiana had the same hard working approach, and combined with the fan support of basketball crazy Indianapolis, it was a perfect place for Davis to start his long professional career. “It was a blessing that I played that long in the NBA,” said Davis, who played 16 years and 1,084 games between 1991 and 2007. “Indianapolis was a great place. I played with the same core group of players (Rik Smits, Reggie Miller, Antonio Davis and Mark Jackson) for nearly a decade. “You just don’t see that many guys play together for that long a time anymore. It was like a college atmosphere. We got so close and

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Orange: The Experience

Davis (right) was inducted into the 2012 class of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame alongside (L-R) Evelyn Jordan, Hootie Johnson, Stephen Davis and June Raines. Also inducted were Duce Staley (not pictured), as well as legendary Clemson baseball coach Bill Wilhelm and Jim Hunter (posthumously). Photo by Travis Bell

worked together so well, it was just a great experience.” Davis stayed in Indiana for nine years, including the 1999-00 season when he made the All-Star game and helped the Pacers to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis finished in the top 10 in the NBA in field goal percentage five years in a row and was second in the NBA in offensive rebounding during the 1997-98 season. He is still the only Pacers player in history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field for nine consecutive years. He averaged a doubledouble in 1993-94 (11.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game). Davis played with Portland, Golden State, and Detroit later in his career and still ranks in the top 60 in NBA history in blocked shots, field goal percentage, rebounds and games played. He is sixth in NBA history in a stat called offensive rebound percentage. He grabbed an offensive rebound 13.4 percent of the time there was an offensive rebound while he was on the court. It sounds complicated to compute, but the bottom line is he was a heck of an offensive rebounder. Davis was a winner. While he never won an NBA Championship ring, he played in 137 career playoff games, scored 900 points and brought down 1,091 rebounds. Davis chased the Championship ring through the 2006-07 season. But, he developed a blood clot problem that eventually led to him giving up the game professionally. “I went to Detroit and Houston in 2008, but in the end it was time to do something else,” said Davis, who graduated on time with his class in May of 1991. Davis is active today working with a sports finance and marketing company. He also has the Dale Davis Foundation, which he formed when he was in the middle of his NBA career. His foundation is designed to help inner-city

or lower income youth understand the importance of education. He sends kids to summer camps and continues to fund college scholarships for those who meet qualifications through good grades or community involvement. To date, the Dale Davis Foundation has granted 24 different college scholarships to young men and women. Most of the scholarships have gone to young students in Indianapolis and Portland, the two cities he played in for a combined 14 years during his NBA career, and Atlanta, his current home.

NBA Career Leaders in Offensive Rebound Percentage Davis was known as a great rebounder at Clemson and in the NBA. The NBA charts offensive rebound leaders based on a percentage basis. Over his 1,084 game career, Davis grabbed 13.4 percent of the offensive rebounds available when he was on the court, the sixth-best percentage in league history.

NBA Career Offensive Rebound Percentage Rk Player Years 1. Dennis Rodman 1986-00 2. Moses Malone 1974-95 3. Larry Smith 1980-93 4. Jeff Foster 1999-12 5. Chris Dudley 1987-03 6. Dale Davis 1991-07 7. Paul Silas 1964-80 8. Erick Dampier 1996-12 9. Brendan Haywood 2001-12 10. Tyson Chandler 2001-12

Pct 17.21 16.33 15.80 15.24 15.15 13.40 13.16 12.82 12.73 12.61

Education has always been at the forefront for Davis. He spent many off days in Indianapolis, Portland and Detroit meeting with youngsters about the importance of education. His work ethic and discipline traits were ingrained in him at a young age from his mother, but she also taught him the importance of education as well. A statement from Carolyn Davis to a newspaper report in Portland a few years ago tells it all. “To see Dale graduate from Clemson was the proudest moment of my life.”

july 2012

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“Frown, and you frown alone ... hen he was hired in June of 1959, Fred Hoover was asked to establish the first official training room for the Clemson athletic department. At the time, all Clemson had was tape to wrap ankles, heat packs, an ultrasound machine, some blankets from an old Army surplus store, a whirlpool and a galvanized tub, which was hooked up to a infrared light and a hot plate, which was used to heat towels. But the equipment, or lack thereof, wasn’t all Hoover inherited that summer. He also inherited the services of a 41year old World War II veteran, who had been at Clemson since he was 15 years old. Herman McGee was a man’s man at Clemson, especially back in those days when the only way to get things done was to do it yourself. McGee first got on the payroll in the summer of 1934 when he helped carry lime, which was used in those days to line the baseball and football fields. Interestingly enough, it was those two sports that helped shape the legacy McGee left at Clemson when he died on March 9, 1980 at the age of 61. “Herman McGee meant so much to so many at Clemson. He cared about every boy, no matter if they were black or white,” longtime Clemson Athletic Director Bill McLellan said. “He was interested in every element of that young person’s life. There is no doubt Clemson is a better place because of Herman.” McGee, the first African-American in-

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Orange: The Experience

ducted into Clemson’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976, was not too far into his career when he was asked to help with the equipment for the football team, and tape an ankle or two from time-to-time before practice each day. For the most part it was simply busy work for the Pendleton, SC native, but it was something he loved to do. For a couple of hours each day, whether it was pulling jerseys and shoulder pads off players or taping ankles, it gave him the opportunity to catch up with players’ lives and

Clemson tight end Bennie Cunningham, who played for the Tigers from 1972-75. “The biggest thing I remember about Herman is that he always kept our spirits up. “He would say, ‘Son, you’re going to get well and you will play again. But keep working at your own pace. You will know when you can play. Don’t get down on yourself.’ Herman kept me going spiritually.” McGee had his own unique style. Though he had no formal medical training, he was a great listener and paid attention to how things were demonstrated and relayed to him. The team doctor would show him one time how to do something, and that was it. It was done, and it was always done correctly. McGee became part of the establishment at Clemson, and with his infectious smile and upbeat personality, he became a favorite with all the players and coaches, especially legendary Head Coach Frank Howard. “Once I got the job, Coach Howard had one request,” Hoover recalled. “He said, ‘Don’t you get rid of Herman. He stays.’ I was McGee was an athletic trainer for the like, ‘Yes, sir! No problem.’ Tigers for 40 years. “Of course, I was not going to get of Photo courtesy Clemson Sports Information rid of Herman anyway. He was a legend talk about anything that was going on in around here and I knew of his work ethic. the world. I knew Herman and I would get along just Players took a shining to McGee, as he fine.” became their confidant. He always said the hen Clemson was in the midst of right thing that motivated or inspired them raising funds for the WestZone to play. at Memorial Stadium, it did not “When you’re injured physically as an athlete and you want to play so bad, you take long before a group of former playtake a real beating mentally,” said former ers, trainers and coaches approached Bill

... Smile, and the world will smile with you.” No one smiled on the Clemson Tigers like Herman McGee. by Will Vandervort

Former Clemson athletic trainer Fred “Doc” Hoover stands in front of the memorial dedicated to his former colleague and friend Herman McGee. The memorial that bears McGee’s name is located next to the athletic training facility inside the WestZone of Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rex Brown

D’Andrea and the athletic department’s major gifts team about raising money for a memorial honoring McGee and his 46-year career at Clemson. “I never knew Herman, but anybody that was here and worked with Herman, they can’t say enough good things about him,” said D’Andrea, Clemson’s Executive Associate Athletic Director. “I have yet, in all my years at Clemson, heard one person say anything bad about him. “He must have been one heck of a guy.” He was. The majority of the 46 years McGee worked at Clemson — though he had no issues himself at the school —were not easy times in the world, especially for an African-American male in the South. Despite surviving the Great Depression as a youth, and then making it through the war as a transportation specialist, McGee had to battle with the prejudice of those times because of his skin color. “There were a lot of things Herman was exposed to, but he never said a word,” Hoover said. “I’m sure there were things going on in this country at the time that he did not like, but Herman kept that to himself. He never wanted to cause any trouble.” For much of McGee’s career, African-Americans in the South were not allowed to eat in the same restaurant, shop in the same stores or use the same water fountain or restrooms as white people. It was especially frowned upon for a white man to sit and share anything with an African-American, so when McGee traveled with the Clemson football and baseball teams, he sometimes had to stay in a separate hotel or eat in another restaurant. “It was just the way it was back then, unfortunately,” Hoover said. “But Herman was great about it. He never complained or said anything to anybody. There was never an issue.” july 2012

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In the early 1960s, integration finally made its way to the South, and though African-Americans were now attending the same high schools and colleges as whites, the idea on the two socializing still wasn’t common. Al Adams, who was a student assistant in the sports information office at Clemson from 1972-75, remembers a stop for dinner one night in Salisbury, NC. The Clemson baseball team was heading back to Clemson after a game against Wake Forest when Head Coach Bill Wilhelm stopped at a restaurant for a bite to eat. “It was a little cafeteria right off I-85,” Adams recalled. “Coach Wilhelm loved to stop at cafeterias. So Coach, Herman and I walk in there. We got our food and went over and sat down. All of a sudden, I think it donned on Coach Wilhelm and I that everybody was staring at us. “Coach Wilhelm asked, ‘Do you feel like you are being stared at?’ I was about to ask the same thing myself, and Herman said, ‘Coach, it is not you, it is me.’ So we looked around, and of course Herman was the only black person in the building. I can’t tell you what Coach Wilhelm said, and he said some things, but Herman did not say a word. He never complained about anything. “Herman was always the same guy no matter what. He was always positive.” McGee’s positive nature rubbed off on everyone he came around. Though integration did not start until the 1960s, McGee had already broken down a lot of those barriers around Clemson. “No one associated with Clemson ever thought of Herman as a black man,” Hoover said. “To us, he was just like us. He was a regular man. He was a colleague, a friend and a mentor to so many. That’s the beauty of sports, there is no racism. There is no color in sports. “Herman was a pioneer and he probably did not even think about that. But here he was, coming up in some of the hardest times in our country’s history, and he was an assistant trainer at an all-white school. But, he fit in. The players did not think anything of it. He was a part of the team and of the staff. They loved him and would do anything for him. And, he loved them too.” Though Clemson became the first all-white college to except African-Americans into its college in 1963, the first athlete — a basketball player by the name of Craig Mobley — did not attend Clemson until 1969. In 1970, Marion Reeves became the first African-American as a member of the football team, and in 1971, Willie Anderson joined Reeves. By 1972, Cunningham and seven other African-American athletes made their way to Clemson. Cunningham and Reeves say McGee was very influential to them in those times, especially considering there were not many African-Americans on Clemson’s campus in those early days. “He had more respect from the players than probably the coaches did,” Reeves told the Charleston Post & Courier in 2010. “He and I talked a lot. I asked him. ‘How did you make it? How did you endure?’ And he said, ‘You do.’” Cunningham said, by his actions, McGee taught them how to act and how to fit in. He made what could have been a difficult situation for them, easy. “Can you imagine, he had to put up with a lot of things being the only black man associated with the team for so many years,” Cunningham said. “I’m not talking about Clemson, I’m talking about when the team traveled and the things he and the team had to deal with in those days…There is Herman McGee, a black man, the assistant trainer at Clemson on the field. “He paved the way for us, but he never made a point of it. We Plaques list the names of the 276 people who donated money to make the Herman McGee memorial possible. Photo by Rex Brown

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Orange: The Experience

learned by watching him and how he handled things. Out of all the things he did, the only thing Herman was concerned about was the welfare of his players and what he could do to help us.”

and I’m upset about it.’” Davis said he will never forget what happened next in their conversation. McGee reminded him of all the talk that was going on just days before, and how it seemed like the public address announcer was calling out, “Davis with the tackle” after every play. “He told me to get my treatment and get well,” Davis said. “Then he said, ‘I assure you, that same guy that was hitting people a week ago, will be hitting them two or three weeks later. The key is to keep a positive attitude and stay upbeat.’

n 1978, there was a freshman linebacker at Clemson who received rave reviews in fall camp. Jeff Davis was everything Head Coach Charley Pell thought he would be when he recruited him out of Greensboro, NC. The 223-pound linebacker was making plays all over the place. He was recording tackles for loss, forcing fumbles and even had an occasional interception or two. Davis was everywhere. When the season finally kicked off, he found himself on the field alongside the likes of Clemson greats Randy Scott and Bubba Brown. But all of that early success came to a crashing halt when Davis suffered a severe ankle sprain just a few games into the season. “You did not miss a practice during the Charley Pell or Danny Ford era,” Davis said. “That was simply a no-no. If Above: McGee you had to drag yourself out is pictured there, you drug yourself out with one of the there. That was the type of first athletic atmosphere and environ- training staffs at ment we were in. Clemson. Photo “I can remember Coach by Jim Burns Ford saying, ‘I don’t know about that Jeff Davis kid. He At right: McGee is on the table and is in the was inducted training room all the time.’” into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Up to that point, Davis Fame in 1976. had never suffered an injury Photo courtesy of any kind. He never missed Clemson Sports a game or practice in high Information school. This was new territory for the future All-American, and it was killing him to think that his coaches thought he was soft. “He was right. There was nothing to frown “I was all down in the dumps and every- about because if you do that, then you will be thing. I was feeling sorry for myself, when, in by yourself.” walks Herman,” Davis recalled. “Herman had Davis, who now serves as an assistant atha saying. ‘Frown, and you frown alone. Smile, letic director for player relations at Clemson, and the world will smile with you.’ He said that has not been alone since. Like McGee, Davis every day and on that day, he hit me with it. He has always smiled and tried to emulate the lessaw me and he said, ‘Quit frowning. Frown, sons McGee taught him and so many others and you frown alone. Smile, and the world will in his 46 years of service to Clemson Athletics. smile with you.’ “There was no individual like Herman Mc“Man, I started laughing and I started think- Gee,” Davis said. “He was a light. You were like ing, ‘Look Herman, my ankle hurts. I can’t play a paper clip, and he was a magnet. He had love.

From the moment you set eyes on him, you knew he loved what he did. He loved people, and he loved people enough to tell them the truth.” Hoover, who retired in 1998, said he never worked with anyone else like McGee in his 40 years at Clemson. The former head athletic trainer said McGee had a way with the players that no one else has been able to replicate since. “He was always positive,” Hoover said. “Herman was like a psychologist. He knew how to get to the players. He always said the right thing. After he got done with them, their spirits were always up. I would set up their treatment schedule, and then I would let Herman take over. That never bothered me either, because Herman knew what he was doing. “I knew Herman would get them back out on the field.” Hoover, Cunningham and Davis can all recall how popular McGee was when former players rolled into town for Homecoming or any other event that brought them to Clemson. “Where’s Herman? That was the most popular question,” Hoover said. “Sure, they wanted to see everybody else, but the first person they always asked for was Herman.” Today, those former players from the 1940s to the 1970s don’t have to continue to ask, “Where’s Herman?” Instead, they can visit him at his memorial, which is located outside the athletic training room in the WestZone of Memorial Stadium. Two hundred and seventy-six former players, trainers, doctors and coaches gave to the memorial so no one will forget the man who smiled over Clemson Athletics longer than any other. If they are lucky, they might also get to interact with McGee as well. It is said, he haunts the training room as funny and strange things occasionally occur without any explanation as to why. But don’t worry; like he was alive, they say McGee is a friendly ghost. He is probably just hanging around and trying to make today’s players relax. Though he can’t wrap their ankles anymore, he’s probably just trying to put a smile on their faces. After all, that’s what Herman McGee did best of all. july 2012

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Kents Prove

Family Ties Conquer All by William Qualkinbush

or Susan Kent, it was a decision she had to make, not one she wanted to make. On one hand, her son Mike was having a terrific season as a pitcher for the Clemson baseball team, and she did not want to disrupt his momentum. But on the other hand, her eldest son Matt was in a fight for his life off the field. For three years, he has battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and as the battle raged, Matt’s options dwindled. The doctors determined that he needed a bone marrow transplant, so the question had to be asked. Mike was home for winter break when his mother suggested that he might need to go through some tests to see if he was a match for Matt. In spite of the bloodlines that linked the brothers, the chances their bone marrows aligned were still slim. There was also a minor health risk involved for Mike, not to mention the chance that his season could become derailed before it even started. None of it changed Mike’s mind one bit. After the conversation with his mother, the Tiger right-hander agreed to go through a process that had a shot to save his brother’s life. “She was really torn up about it, and she still is to this day,” Mike said. “I try to be as strong as I can for her. I try to be positive and not let any negative thoughts enter my mind.” The consequences of Mike’s decision would be felt for weeks and months as he prepared for the transplant. In addition to the stress of the approaching season, he had to deal with an early-morning trip to Maryland in mid-February to go through some tests. “They drew some blood and poked some Mike Kent more than needles in me,” he said. “They ran some tests doubled his career on my chest to see if my veins were strong innings in 2011 enough to handle the operation. I was back alone as one of in Clemson the next day.” Clemson’s steadiest After about a month, Mike found out relief pitchers. that the effort bore fruit. His bone marrow Photo by Rex Brown

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Orange: The Experience

matched Matt’s, a fact that brought relief and hope to a family that desperately needed some good news. Matt has been the patriarch of the Kent family since the boys’ father left when Mike was four years old. Since Mike never knew his father well, Matt — five years Mike’s elder — began to fill such a role in his life. He introduced his little brother to the game of baseball, something Mike loves to point out in conversation about his sibling. “It was really tough on me because he’s like a father to me,” Mike said of Matt. “My brother was the one that taught me how to play baseball. He was the one that hit ground balls to me. He was the only guy I looked up to all the time.” When the Tigers visited Maryland for a weekend series in late April, it was a business trip for Clemson. But for Mike, there was another kind of business involved — family business. Throughout the weekend, he received treatments designed to harvest his white blood cells in an effort to get to the bone marrow. “They stuck two needles in each of my arms as I was laying in a bed for six hours,” Mike said. “They ran blood from one arm into a machine that would filter out the cells they needed, then back into the other arm. It was a pretty cool process.” Because of the treatments, Mike suffered from flu-like symptoms, which could hamper any athlete’s effectiveness. It seemed to be a simple equation: trying to save his brother’s life while taking a temporary hit on the pitcher’s mound. For Mike, the answer was easy. It was a key series for the Tigers, one that could help determine seeding and status for the team heading into the home stretch of the regular season. Head Coach Jack Leggett would need all hands on deck, including Mike, whose performances up until then had made him one of the most trustworthy arms on the pitching staff. For the year, Kent had the third-lowest earned run average among the regular relief pitchers (3.76) in 21 appearances. He had just started to come into his own leading into the trip to College Park, a surge he credits his pitching coach, Dan Pepicelli, for orchestrating with a tweak of his delivery. “It helps me command my pitches better,” Mike said of his new motion. “That was my problem — I couldn’t command my pitches

consistently. This year, I worked on that all the time. I made sure I threw my fastball on both sides of the plate. I could throw my slider and curveball in any count I wanted.” Most assumed Mike would not be called upon against the Terrapins because of his physical condition. But he told the coaches he was ready if needed, even while admitting to teammates how badly he felt. Leggett did call Mike’s number in the sixth inning, and he never had to go back to the bullpen again. In the final 3.1 innings of play, the righty gave up no runs with only three hits and two strikeouts without walking a batter. It was a gutsy performance, the type of outing Susan has

going out there and helped me finish on top.” Many times, athletics is seen as a way to teach skills, abilities, and lessons that can be used in other aspects of life. In this case, as Mike has watched his brother battle cancer and as he has aided in the fight, the opposite is true. The rising red-shirt junior now sees the game very differently than he did before. “I don’t sweat the small things anymore,” he said. “If I give up a 3-2 hit or a four-pitch walk, I’m not freaking out about it. It makes you realize that there are bigger things in life than baseball. The game is going to end someday for all of us, whether it’s 10 years down the road or next year.”

At right: Matt (left) and Mike Kent share an even closer bond after Mike donated bone marrow to aid in his brother’s fight against cancer. Photo courtesy of Susan Kent Below: Mike Kent had a tremendous impact on and off the field in 2011. Photo by Rex Brown

come to expect from her son because of the lessons he has learned about having success both on and off the field at Clemson. “If you have character you will be successful in whatever you choose to do with your life,” she said. “I can tell that Coach Leggett and all of the individuals involved with the baseball program strive to develop character in the players and teach them to be good citizens.” In spite of fatigue, Mike pressed onward until the game’s final out was recorded. He was spurred on by his need for mental toughness and the knowledge that his brother would find some joy in his accomplishment. “I figured if I did well, it might bring a smile to his face,” Mike said. “So that’s what kept me

Matt continues to struggle with his illness; he has been in and out of the hospital with a variety of ailments. Even as he participates in a wooden bat league over the summer, Mike still keeps tabs on his father figure as he continues to fight the good fight. All the while, Susan watches. She sees a new relationship formed between her boys where they are now literally bound together by blood. She can also look with pride at her two champions and know the future is in good hands. Even in the toughest times, watching such devotion and sacrifice manifest itself from one to another is enough to make her crack a smile. They say blood is thicker than water, and in the case of the Kent family, they would be correct. july 2012

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What Does it Mean

to Be a ‘T.I.G.E.R!’? by Hannah Burleson | photos by Dawson Powers

hat does it mean to be a Tiger? “It means competing and training with pride, passion, and the will to get better,” said Brianna Blanton, a freshman this past season for the Clemson track & field program. To the athletes at Clemson as a whole, it means Teamwork, Integrity, Gratitude, Education, and Respect, or the acronym T.I.G.E.R. The Be a T.I.G.E.R! program at Clemson focuses on “creating and maintaining a positive image for Clemson University within the surrounding communities through a commitment to service.” Clemson is the first and only Division I University to incorporate a focused educational program. The program sends student-athletes into the community to represent the University and Clemson Athletics. The athletes make personal appearances at schools and at assembly programs to speak with students. Some participate in creating the Be A T.I.G.E.R! newsletter that is distributed, while others participate in T.I.G.E.R! READ and T.I.G.E.R! TALK. The program puts on the Be A T.I.G.E.R! Field Day as well. Members

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Orange: The Experience

of the program believe that community service showcases the student-athlete’s desire to do more and give back, helps to build valuable connections, while teaching student-athletes and community members about compassion and understanding. Though the athletes are trying to teach others what it means to be a Tiger, they are learning in the process. The qualities they gain from volunteering in the community are able to be used in their lives as athletes, students, friends and future employees. They believe that character development is a crucial part of their total educational experience at Clemson. At school appearances, the Clemson athletes deliver the message of what it means to be a Tiger. They plan lessons and fun activities that show students that athletics can build character. The program puts out a newspaper free of charge that is available to schools as a way to reinforce character education to students. The newspaper is written, designed, and produced completely by five student- athletes. This past year, the Be A T.I.G.E.R! program distributed roughly 10,000 copies of its newspaper. Community members can check out a copy of the paper on the community relations page of the athletic department’s official Web site, Clem-

sonTigers.com. Be A T.I.G.E.R! Field Day has become a major hit in the community. The free event takes place annually on the weekend of the Clemson football spring game. Student-athletes split up and help teams of participants demonstrate good character. The participants leave with a t-shirt and invaluable life lessons. Over 12,000 children attended the field day this past year. T.I.G.E.R! READ is a program started by the Solid Orange Squad, another “student-athlete service organization that participates in community events throughout the upstate of South Carolina.” As a member of T.I.G.E.R! READ, students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades can read books that Clemson’s children literature classes choose as great examples of character traits. The Clemson student-athletes ask questions to the students, who can view them online. A teacher verifies the process of the student, and once all of the books and assignments are completed, the student will earn a prize. T.I.G.E.R! TALK is a buddy program where at-risk middle school students are matched with a student-athlete. They talk weekly and discuss the Be A T.I.G.E.R! character program. Students are rewarded throughout and are honored with a party upon completing the pro-

gram. Forty-three Clemson athletes are partnered with students at four area middle schools. None of these community service projects would be possible without all of the help and volunteer service from Clemson’s athletes. Final 2011-12 numbers are not yet finalized, but during the 2010-11 school year the football team logged the most volunteer hours with a total of 968.5. The women’s swimming & diving team, the rowing team, the men’s swimming & diving team and the women’s soccer team finished out the top five in order. However, per athlete, the women’s swimming & diving team led the way with each member volunteering an average of 19.42 hours. Once again, statistics for the 2011-12 school year are not finalized, but service hours increased to almost 6,000 this year. In 2010-11 athletes logged 3,594, so the one-year increase is well over 2,000 hours. Linda White, the Director of Community Relations, estimates that the program has touched over 25,400 people, something that Clemson’s student-athletes are certainly proud of. Jason Stolz, Clemson graduate and the starting shortstop for the Tiger baseball team this past season, is one such athlete that takes pride in those figures. “Being a T.I.G.E.R! means that you take pride in everything you do, on and off the field,” he said. “It means that you are always representing Clemson University in the best way that you can. It means that you maintain a positive attitude and give your absolute best effort to help your team to the best of your ability.” Looks like his fellow student-athletes heard him, as they truly have represented Clemson in the best way possible! To keep up with the progress of the Be A T.I.G.E.R program, IPTAY members, student-athletes, and members of the Clemson community can follow the Solid Orange Squad (@solidOsquad) on Twitter or like the “Solid Orange Squad” page on Facebook. The Facebook page displays pictures from events and has links to articles on Clemson’s community relations Web site. The Twitter account informs studentathletes and community members when the group is scheduled to attend events.

Save the Date 2012 Clemson Baseball Reunion

November 9-10, 2012 Clemson University, Clemson, SC Homecoming Weekend Clemson vs. Maryland football game

Attention: All Former Clemson Baseball Players, Coaches, Managers and Trainers Tentative Itinerary Friday, November 9: Golf at Boscobel Golf Course – 9:00 a.m. Family Dinner at Fike Recreation Center – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 10: Tailgate Brunch at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, TBA Clemson vs. Maryland, TBA (Homecoming 2012)

Game Day Ticket Information Each former player, coach, manager, or trainer will receive two complimentary game day tickets for the Clemson vs. Maryland football game on Saturday, November 10. Additional tickets will be available for purchase. For questions about accommodations or any other details about the reunion, please call or email: Roberta Balliet: (864)656-1940/rballie@clemson.edu Bob Mahony: (864)656-2974/mahonyr@clemson.edu If you have not been receiving periodic updates about Clemson Baseball and the reunion, chances are that your contact information is incorrect in our Clemson Baseball database. Please go to clemsontigers.com and on the Baseball page there will be a link to update your contact information. You may also call or email Roberta Balliet or Bob Mahony. We are looking forward to a big turnout so don’t get left out. Go Tigers! july 2012

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is your official weekly e-Newsletter for IPTAY donors. • Primary source for all IPTAY news and information • Behind-the-scenes coverage of coaches and student-athletes • Exclusive stories, video content and much more

www.MyOrangeUpdate.com 52

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For more information and how to receive MyOrangeUpdate, contact us at 864-656-2115 • iptay@clemson.edu • P.O. Box 1529, Clemson, SC 29633 Orange: The Experience

Clemson’s Siri Mullinix is the goalkeepers coach for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team.

Making an Impact T

he murmur of an elated 22,848 spectators rippled through the air of Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia. The crowd had just witnessed one of the most thrilling gold medal women’s soccer matches in Olympic history. In sudden death, Norway had stunned the United States to steal a 3-2 overtime victory and gold medal from the Americans. As the Star Spangled Banner trumpeted over the loudspeakers during the medal ceremony, 22-year-old starting U.S. goalkeeper Siri Mullinix stood on the podium with mixed emotions, waiting to receive her silver medal. The elation and pride of winning the silver was subdued only by the omnipresent thought of the immediate loss in the back of her mind.

It was a moment Siri Mullinix never forgot. Fast-forward 12 years from Sydney, Australia to Clemson, South Carolina and you’ll see Mullinix is continuing her impact on the international soccer scene. In her second year as an assistant coach for the Tigers, Mullinix has also taken on duties as goalkeepers coach for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. When one looks at Mullinix’s glittering résumé, it is clearly evident the U-18 National Team would be hard pressed to find a more qualified keepers coach. Throughout her 29 years of playing and coaching soccer, Mullinix has been the epitome of success and a champion at every turn in her career. “My mom got me started on soccer when I was five years old,” she said. “I was born in Colorado and lived there for a couple of years.

When we were living out there, she saw kids playing soccer and thought, ‘Hey, that looks kind of cool.’ So when we moved to North Carolina, she signed me up for our local youth soccer team and the rest is history.” The decision would prove to be life changing. Her dominance as a goalkeeper from an early age was unheard of and Mullinix’s accolades are almost overwhelming when listed. On the youth level, she helped her team win the North Carolina Youth Soccer State Cup championship four times. In high school, she was named to the all-state team twice and won the North Carolina State Championship before graduating at the end of her junior year. Taking her talents to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mullinix gained a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the country. Her steely demeanor

by Schuyler Easterling | photos by Kenny Fey july 2012

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and gritty play led to four ACC Championships and back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1996 and 1997. While at UNC, Mullinix allowed an average of 0.27 goals per game, second-best in school history. In 2000, she achieved unprecedented success as goalkeeper for the U.S. National Team. Mullinix started 28 games for the national team that year, the most for a U.S. goalkeeper in history. Mullinix continued to garner achievements at a break-neck pace when she set a record for most shutouts in a year with 15. In the 2000 Olympics, her stellar play helped power the United States to the silver medal and left no doubt she was one of the elite goalkeepers in the world. Upon her graduation from UNC, Mullinix played professionally for the Washington Freedom and guided the team to the Founders Cup championship in 2003, leading the WUSA in saves. Pulling from these experiences, Mullinix now brings her incredible knowledge to the table in coaching the U.S. U-18 National Team. “As a coach, I am one of a few goalkeeper coaches to have played on the full women’s national team,” Mullinix said. “I love being able to work with the girls and show them where to position for certain shots or crossing routes, because I was in their shoes not too long ago. “That background helps. The feedback I give the players comes from my own experiences playing at that level of soccer. I know what the demands are, what players’ strengths have to be, and the mental and tactical sides of the game they need to possess. It all helps me relate to them. They know I’m not just speculating. They know I’ve been to the top and can help prepare them to become the best.” Along with Mullinix, the U-18 National Team has an array of superb coaches at its disposal. Their mission is well defined: develop the future of women’s soccer in the United States. The purpose of the team is to serve as a transitional period for girls who have the potential to make up the nucleus of the future U-20 National Team and represent America in the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Through

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Orange: The Experience

international competition and team practices, the girls of the U-18 National Team are critiqued, observed and given chances to prove their potential. “I enjoy helping train and develop the next wave of great women’s soccer players to represent the United States on the international and Olympic level,” she said. “Eight years from now, who is going to be the next Hope Solo? It is my job to help develop the goalkeepers in the hopes that someday they may

Mullinix was a standout goalkeeper for the University of North Carolina and won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

be competing on the national team. It’s all about constructing that next wave. The U-18 level is all about identifying, training and developing.” However, as with any aspect of athletic training and development, there remain chal-

lenges. “It’s a completely different style of coaching,” she said. “With college kids, I recruit and work with them on a daily basis for four years. With the national team, you get to work with a kid for 10 days and then you might not see them again for six months. In that respect, coaching the national team is a different process than coaching here at Clemson. You do as much as you can and then they go off to their own college or high school and someone else is training them. It’s a fast and furious process.” In 2014, Siri Mullinix’s current protégés on the U-18 National Team will be eligible to advance on to the U-20 National Team and continue to pursue their dreams of competing for the FIFA World Cup and Olympic gold. When asked what has been most rewarding about being able to help coach these promising athletes for the U-18 National Team, Mullinix did not hesitate in her response. “I am thankful to have the opportunity to coach at such a high level and interact with highly competitive players like myself,” she said. “The ability to recruit, train and build upon the potential of these young athletes is one of the reasons I coach. As a silver medalist, national champion, and former professional soccer player, I learned to have that mentality. “I love coaching others who think along those same lines; players that are dedicated and committed to the workload it takes to become the best. You don’t just show up, go to practice, and become a national champion or Olympic medalist. It takes a lot of hard work, and even a lot more work when no one is looking. That’s the biggest thing I enjoy: finding players that recognize what it will take, players that are coachable, players that are willing to put in the time and work harder than anyone else. You find those types of athletes in Clemson and on the U-18 National Team. It is my hope that they’ll develop into great soccer players and great young women.” If the past is any indicator of the future, Siri Mullinix will have prepared them to do exactly that.

Experience Oconee

y a l P . . . k r o W Live ... y t n u o C e e n in Oco

Land Beside the Water

A diverse, growing, safe, vibrant community guided by rural traditions and shaped by natural beauty where employment, education and recreation offer a rich quality of life for all generations, both today and tomorrow. Great Housing Options • Retirement Communities Low Taxes • Great Schools • Job Growth Strong Retail Businesses and Restaurants Four Lakes • Wild & Scenic Tog River • 29 Waterfalls 90,000 Acres of Sumter National Forest

www.oconeeSC.com july 2012

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The IPTAY Tiger Cub Club

NEW Tiger Cubs

*Sustaining

Name

City

Given by

Hayes Amick* Atlanta, GA Huff Daddy Caleb Jackson Barsha St. George, SC Christopher Barsha Jackson Betsill Easley, SC Virlyn Wingard Brooke Glenn* Nashville, TN R. E. & Evelyn Glenn Carter Dean Chester, SC Samuel R. Stone Raeleigh Dean Chester, SC Samuel R. Stone Jonathan Jefferson Staton Simpsonville, SC Chad Staton, Father William Suggs W Columbia, SC Ken Suggs Elle Kathleen Gaine* Summerville, SC James M. Russell III Jack Wylam Williamson Wimberly, TX Pat Williamson Anna Gray Beason* Shelby, NC B&W Fiber Glass Inc. Grier Christenbury Charlotte, NC J. Daniel Lamb Grayson Daniel Lamb North Wilkesboro, NC J. Daniel Lamb Elizabeth Carroll Westminster, SC Erin Carroll Russell Matthew Waschkowski Fountain Inn, SC Matthew Waschkowski Benjamin Calhoun Haskell, NJ Mike & Susan Calhoun Will Camp Chesnee, SC Logan Camp Addison Ann Marks* Myrtle Beach, SC Poppy & Nanny Allie Brooke Barber Sylva, NC Charles Wilkins Tyler James King North Augusta, SC Allen P. King Jr. Luke Morrison Anderson, SC H Steve Morrison Jason Toole, Jr. North, SC Jason & Krystal Toole Jaxson Brown Charleston, SC Mary & Mike Lucas; Grandma & Granpa Thomason Earley Horne Greenville, SC Terri & Debbie Horne; Grandparents Collins Holman Johns Island, SC D. O. Holman ”Gdaddy”

For more information on the Tiger Cub and Sustaining Cub program, contact Julia Stump at stump@clemson.edu or call 1-800-CLEMSON.

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Orange: The Experience

Name

City

Given by

Hughes Holman Johns Island, SC D. O. Holman ”Gdaddy” Blanton Elizabeth Herndon Mt. Pleasant, SC Warren Herndon Anne Rollins Herndon Mt. Pleasant, SC Warren Herndon Sarah Whiteford West Union, SC Manely Morrah Blair Campbell Cromer Little Mountain, SC Ben Cromer Thomas Huggins Chesterfield, SC Todd Huggins Storm Davis Clover, SC PawPaw & Mimi Burton & Mama Ray Purdy Goose Creek, SC Christine Ann Purdy David M. Andrew Florence, SC David Andrews Connor J. Bohm Morristown, NJ Gerry & Kathy Bohm Thomas Anthony Abercrombie Charlotte, NC Stephen Abercrombie Graham Scott Abercrombie Charlotte, NC Stephen Abercrombie Banks C. Wylie Midlothian, VA Jadda & Charlie Ella Harter Lexington, SC Carson Barker Taylors, SC Emily Thomas Cheraw, SC Elisa Stroup Simpsonville, SC Jon Cason McCormick, SC Carson Pridgen Charleston, SC Colin Pentecost Woodstock, GA Robert E. Pentecost Jr. Durham Miller Chapin, SC Tom Wilkinson Elizabeth James Owen* York, SC Hank & Kay Owen David Melton Mauldin, SC Sue Melton Brett Armstrong Ware Shoals, SC Pam Knight Tommy Vinson Taylors, SC Dr. Mike & Chris Wiggers William Peters Pittsburgh, PA John & Sylvia Peters Joseph Thomas Branyon IV* Clemson, SC Joe T. Branyon, Jr. Maryn Stevens Myrtle Beach, SC Aundria Green Hayes Hirain Wallace Six Mile, SC Kieran Small Greensboro, NC PaPa & Mimi Daisy Small Greensboro, NC PaPa & Mimi Kallie Kirkland Little Mountain, SC Christopher & Kedron Kirkland Tommy Richardson Hattiesburg, MS Clyde Wrenn John David Gleich St. Charles, MO Miles Thomas Fred Denny Charlotte, NC Mary C Johnson Mary Denny Charlotte, NC Mary C Johnson James Denny Charlotte, NC Mary C Johnson Martha Denny Charlotte, NC Mary C Johnson Montgomery Richardson* Orangeburg, SC Robert & Erin Richarson Brison Ardis* Orangeburg, SC Robert & Erin Richarson Alexander Richardson* Orangeburg, SC Robert & Erin Richarson Bailey Stewart Greer, SC Marion & Rachel Carnell Emsley Caldwell Franklin, TN Coach Robbie Caldwell Hayes William Coleman Myrtle Beach, SC Lindsey Ricketts Ryan Zgol* Evans, GA Gregory Zgol Parker Finley Bardwell, KY Barbara Payne

NEW Tiger Cubs Name

City

Given by

Camden Davis Seneca, SC Michael Davis Kathryn E Binder Greenville, SC Jennifer Binder Easton Townsend Abbeville, SC Jennifer Townsend Nya Harris Asheville, NC Barbara Holmes Jack Sentelle Pelzer, SC Barbara Holmes Noah C Hamm Swansea, SC Charles Rucker Wyatt Settle Inman, SC Louis Settle Nathaniel Parker Gillam* Falling Waters, WV Mark Gillam Graham N. Suddeth Charlotte, NC Dad Clemson Annabelle Byrd* North Charleston, SC Ryan & Heather Byrd Maricatherine Minor North Myrtle Beach, SC Mimi & Pop Davis Jackson Lawton* Summerville, SC Cyndi Lawton Banks Calhoun Wylie Aiken, SC Demaris Thomas Presley Grace Dunlap* Simpsonville, SC Derek T. Dunlap Kendall James Millsaps Central, SC Josh Millsaps Caroline Hartless Fairfax, VA Clyde W Hanes Bryce Tiberuis Blackstone* Duncan, SC Matthew & Elizabeth Blackstone Trevor Keaton* Fort Mill, SC Bradley Keaton Austin Dorn Greenwood, SC Joel Dorn Davis McCarter Clover, SC Mack McCarter Jr. Carmen McCarter Clover, SC Mack McCarter Jr. Miriam Louise Powell Hartsville, SC Susan Clapp Riggs Galloway Easley, SC John & Mary Tuner

FBItickets2011.indd 5

Name

*Sustaining

City

Given by

Jackson Galloway Easley, SC John & Mary Tuner Hagen Ethridge Greenville, SC Roger Troutman Jackson Waden Greer, SC Roger Troutman Thomas Nash Morgan Myrick* York, SC Aunt Katherine Eli Williams White Charleston, SC Lee & Pamela Manatis (Grandparents) Kate Byrd St. Simons Island, GA George & Nancy Bennett Erica Chapman* Central, SC Gina Rhinehardt Chapman Michael Joaquin Swetnam Columbia, SC Dad, Michael Swetnam Benjamin Wyatt Staples Lexington, SC Uncle James Calvin Moore Aiken, SC Father, Charles Moore Lucas Miles DeJong Greer, SC Fewell Family Charles Brunson Cartledge* Greenville, SC Carolyn Cartledge Isaac Roberts Cartledge* Greenville, SC Carolyn Cartledge Wesley E. Allen Conway, SC Dad Callen Reed Williams Greenville, SC Jason Williams Kennedy Rollins Czarsty* Simpsonville, SC Steve & April Czarsty Charlie Staggs Greer, SC Dad Smith Emma Watson Charleston, SC Matt & Erin Watson Nora Lynn McElveen* Greenville, SC Marsh & Lynn Willis Cole Mitchell Elmore* Scranton, SC Bryan & Teresa Emore Jacoby Young* Fort Myers, FL Jonathan Bryda William McNeal Waltz Griffin, GA Clint & Leigh Waltz

6/27/2011 ju l y 29:06:26 0 1 2 AM â?&#x2DC; 57

Count on The Journal to be your information source. In print or online, our publications cover life in the Upstate and all you need to know for your busy lifestyle. The Journal is the Upstate’s source for the latest news and features on Clemson football, basketball, baseball and all sports, including up to the minute recruiting news.

We’re here, 24/7, for you!

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210 W. N. 1st Street | Seneca, SC 29678 | phone: 864.882.2375 | fax: 864. 882.2381

Orange: The Experience

IPTAY Mr. John Locke Jr. passed away September 2, 2011. He was an IPTAY Member for 51 years.

Mr. Albert Johnson passed away April 30. He was an IPTAY Member for 60 years.

Ms. Mary Rhinehardt passed away January 12. She was an IPTAY Member for 65 years.

Mrs. Malynda Grimsley passed away April 30. She was an IPTAY Member for 21 years.

Mrs. Nancy Taylor passed away April 5. She was an IPTAY Member for 28 years. Mr. Thomas Welch passed away April 18. He was an IPTAY Member for 11 years. Mrs. Barbara Hash passed away April 21. She was an IPTAY Member for 39 years. Ms. Sarah Lawton passed away April 22. She was an IPTAY Member for 61 years. Ms. Sarah Lineberry passed away April 25. She was an IPTAY Member for 33 years.

Mr. Fulton Roper passed May 5. He was an IPTAY Member for 59 years. Mr. Gary Girmindl passed away May 24. He was an IPTAY Member for 30 years. Mr. John Harper Jr. passed away May 24. He was an IPTAY Member for 63 years. Dr. Jerry Sample passed away May 27. He was an IPTAY Member for 45 years.

Mr. Glenn Brackin Jr. passed away April 26. He was an IPTAY Member for 40 years.

Mr. Tommy Fulmer passed away May 31. He was an IPTAY Member for 41 years.

Mr. Wilis Nolind Jr. passed away April 29. He was an IPTAY Member for 27 years.

Mrs. Martha Stansell passed away June 3. She was an IPTAY Member for 24 years.

july 2012

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Jon McGibbon and his teammates celebrated this three-run homer that gave the Tigers a walk-off win over top-ranked Florida State on May 25 at the ACC Tournament. Photos by Rex Brown

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Orange: The Experience

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IPTAY DONOR otos ph

member, Russell ‘91 Graduate and IPTAY ers, Alexis and ght dau his h Robinson, wit orite Disney fav ir the Erin, visiting with . ger Tig ter, rac cha

John (‘63) and Susan Laney and Gary (‘65) and Toni Faulkenberry enjoyed a river cruise through the Netherlands and Belg ium and proudly displayed the Tiger Paw.

Roger & Janet Greiner on a Danube River cruise at Parliament in Budapest, Hungary.

(Neal) Corey (‘05) and Syntha in (‘07) Lee were married ry. Greenville, SC in Februa

Casey Ryan (‘00) with Coach Swinney and Coach Brownell at the Orlando Prowl and Growl.

Wilson and Ann Hunter at Tiger Fan Day in Greenwood, SC.

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Orange: The Experience

Bryan and Teresa Elmore announce the birth of their great nephew, Cole Elmore. The proud parents are Mitch and Nikki Elmore. Another generation of Clemson fans.

ons(‘71), Al/Pam L-R, Algie/Lillian Solom nne Lawton(‘72) n/A sto Win Haselden(‘71) and the Normandy in , hel in April at Mont St. Mic region of France.

on Donnie and Cyndi Patters

Capt. Bob Debardelaben & son Raymond in Soldotna, AK with a 58lb King Salmon.

Clemson alumni at 201 2 MUSC Dental Gradua tion: Top (L-R) Caleb Poston (‘07), Justin Degarmo (‘06 ), Josh Hyatt (‘07), Bobby Gild ner (‘04), Tyler Caruso (‘07 ), Sarah Brown (‘08), Ben Drechs ler (‘08), Mollie Duke (‘08 ), Sam Joyner ( ‘08), Jeffry Bur ke (‘08). Bottom (L-R) Chr is Carter (‘07), Bradley Flowers (‘08 ), Andy Mowlajko (‘08).

with their dog Spiller.

Charlotte Gruosso at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua, New Zealand.

The Hirsch family, all Cle mson graduates, enjoy another home football game gat hering. L to R - Steve Hir sch (‘02, ‘04), Lawton Granth am Hirsch (‘02), Michae l Hirsch Jr. (‘12), Kathy Hirsch (‘78 ), Mike Hirsch (‘76, ‘77), Mary Douglas Neal Hirsch (‘05 ), Justin Hirsch (‘04, ‘06 ).

h Aberdeen Scotland wit Ken Black at the Royal on. ms Cle at d die stu o his caddy, a student wh

Tal Looper married Ste phanie Bodford at the Loom in Simpsonvi lle on June 16, 2012. Wesley (‘02) and Ashley Moore with their Tiger Cubs Madison (4) and Meredith (9 months) at Disney World in May 2012.

E-mail photos, information & IPTAY number to Lindsey Leonard at lsweval@clemson.edu, or mail IPTAY, Attn: Lindsey Leonard, PO Box 1529, Clemson, SC 29633

july 2012

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Two Tigers Left Us Far Too Soon

by Tim Bourret

he Clemson family lost two former athletes in major sports less than a month apart earlier this summer. Former Tiger football player Brian Wofford, 34, and former Clemson basketball player Bill Ross, 52, both died in traffic accidents in which neither was at fault. Both accidents occurred near their hometowns and just a few miles from their respective high schools that had played such a big part in them earning a scholarship to Clemson. Both had returned to their respective hometowns to have outstanding careers. Wofford had become the leader of the Spartanburg City Parks & Recreation, while Ross was a 20-year employee of the Progress Energy Corporation. Wofford came to Clemson in 1996 out of Spartanburg High School. He led his school to the 1995 State Championship when he caught three touchdown passes in the title game. He might be best remembered in his hometown for a game winning “Hail Mary” reception to beat Dorman on the last play of the game in 1994. It must have been quite a catch, because I personally heard many talk about it at his funeral. Many also referred to his smile, and that is something I will remember because it was the window to a very outgoing personality. I noticed that from the beginning and could tell this guy was going to be very good with the media. The first time I met him I joked, “I heard there was a school that promised you during recruiting that it would put your name on ev-

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Orange: The Experience

Left to right: Bill Ross and Brian Wofford Photos courtesy Clemson Sports Information

ery player’s jersey if you came to their school.” He looked at me puzzled, then the light came on that I was referring to Wofford College, the FCS school in his hometown. My intuition about his ability to deal with the media came to fruition his freshman year when he became a prominent player. When I needed a team spokesman, he was at the forefront along with his classmate and close friend Mal Lawyer. I had to go to them a lot during 1998 when we struggled through a losing season. Wofford might have been his happiest when Tommy Bowden came to town. He was recruited by Tommy West and had a great relationship with him, but Bowden’s offense was much more wide receiver friendly. The day after Bowden was hired, I showed him Tulane’s stats from the 1998 season and his eyes almost jumped out of his head when he saw all the catches wide receivers had recorded. Wofford went on to have a stellar senior

year in 1999, as he had 60 catches for 703 yards and three touchdowns, second on the team in all three areas to Rod Gardner. In his final game he had nine catches for 147 yards against Mississippi State in the Peach Bowl, still the most reception yards in a bowl game in Clemson history. When I look back at Wofford’s career, he was one of the most underrated players in Clemson history. For his four seasons, he had 138 receptions for 1,857 yards and 13 scores. He is still in the top 10 in school history in all three areas. He had the same amount of touchdown receptions as Gardner, a firstround draft choice in 2000. While Wofford played in the shadow of Gardner for three seasons, the same can be said for Ross, who played behind first-round draft choice Larry Nance for his first three years. Clemson coaches were so overjoyed on April 10, 1978, the day Ross signed, that they popped a bottle of champagne in the basketball office. That joy was validated on December 29, 1980. The Tigers were in Hawaii playing 15th-ranked Indiana, a team coached by Bobby Knight and led by point guard Isiah Thomas. Nance was not playing up to par at the time, so Coach Bill Foster put Ross in the starting lineup in his place. The feeling was Ross’ outside jump-shooting ability might loosen up Indiana’s defense that featured power forward Landon Turner and center Ray Tolbert. Foster’s feelings were correct, as Ross hit 6-10 shots from the field, many from the outside, and scored a team-high 13 points, including a 19-footer (close to a three-pointer today) with 49 seconds left that brought Clemson within one. Chris Dodds hit a jumper from the baseline with nine seconds left and the Tigers defeated a Hoosier team that would go on to win the National Championship. It is still Clemson’s only win over the eventual national champion. Like Wofford, Ross was never an All-ACC player, but he was a key contributor on four postseason tournament teams, the first class in Clemson history to go to postseason all four years. One of the seasons, 1979-80, Clemson reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Brian Wofford and Bill Ross made significant contributions to Clemson’s athletic heritage, and as graduates, continued to represent the Clemson family with distinction. We express our condolences to their respective families, for they left us far too early.

Follow the Tigers on

the road this fall as they take on

one of the toughest schedules in the countr y. Clemson Sports Travel, the official fan travel program for the Clemson Alumni Association in conjunction with IPTAY, has travel options now available for all Clemson fans. Cheer on Clemson in the season opener as they pounce on the Tigers of Auburn. Roar with the team in Tallahassee. Then prowl t h e " O r a n g e Pa w s a n d R e d S o x " H o s p i t a l i t y E v e n t a t Fe n w a y Park when Clemson takes on Boston College.

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Orange: The Experience

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