Orange: The Experience, Feb 2012

February 2012

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Orange: The Experience

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February 2012

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Orange: The Experience

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february 13, 2012

Volume 3, Issue 5

inside ...

d epartments 6 Terry Don Phillips

20

Behind the Goggles: An Inside Look at Bryan Narcisse

I just want to say, thank you

something in these hills 8

Clemson hits a grand slam with Brent Venables hire Dwayne Allen is prepared for a great future

10 Bert Henderson

The art of planned giving

12 Travis Furbee

Don’t forget, every pledge counts

14 IPTAY Representative Spotlight

Scott Runyon

16 IPTAY New Donor Spotlight

Darren Hall

17 In focus: Clemson’s capital

campaign for basketball 18 IPTAY Representatives thanked

at national meeting 54 New Tiger Cubs 59 Memorials 62 IPTAY Donor Photos 64 The Last Word

My favorite men’s basketball memories — part II

22 Renaissance Man Baciu’s drive and determination

40 The Art of the Three-Point Shot Tiger shooting guard Kelly Gramlich has a

have him excelling on and off the court.

talent that makes a big impact in the game.

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42 Baseball Outlook Tigers relying on veteran pitching staff and

2011 Season Through a Player’s Eyes

Dawson Zimmerman recounts his memories during his experiences on the football field.

28 2012 Clemson Football

Signee Class

Bios on the 20 new student-athletes who are now a part of the Clemson football program.

35 From Walk-on to Coach of

the Year

Dabo Swinney’s life has been full of turnaround stories and success.

four returning starters to lead the team.

46 Golf Outlook Tigers looking optimistic for the spring season as they enter with a No. 15 national ranking.

50 Rowing Outlook Coming off another strong year, the Tigers are

Editor: Philip Sikes Assistant Editors Tim Bourret Lindsey Leonard Will Vandervort Graphics Coordinator: Melissa Bradley Contributing Writers Chandler Carver Brian Hennessy William Qualkinbush Davis Simpson Dawson Zimmerman Chief Photographer Rex Brown

hoping to carry success into the spring season.

52 The National Letter of Intent

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ...

Clemson’s new defensive coordinator Brent Venables

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

February 2012

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I just want to say, thank you Terry Don Phillips

Photo by Rex Brown

clemson athletic director

I normally don’t watch our football games from the stands.

Usually, I will watch a game from the radio booth so I can get a better view of what is happening and listen to the broadcast. But my wife Trish asked me to sit in the stands with her at the Orange Bowl and I’m glad I did. And, it has nothing to do with the outcome, obviously.

In the past, I have used this column to talk about my first interaction with Clemson fans and how that day, when I was a young assistant coach at Virginia Tech in the early 1970s, touched me. It gave me a great appreciation for Clemson people, an appreciation I have never forgotten and speak about often. My experience at the Orange Bowl has now given me another reason to brag about Clemson fans unwavering loyalty.

I don’t know how many people were in the three sections that surrounded us, but it was filled with nothing but Clemson fans and they were all wearing their orange.

In the dark moments of what was not a good night for our coaches and players in the Orange Bowl, and as frustrating and as dismayed as we were, I can’t say enough good things about our people. The 1,500 or so fans that were around me were doing their very best to provide their support vocally and otherwise for our team.

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Orange: The Experience

Granted, as you might imagine, there were one or two people wanting to fire everyone on site. But that was it. No one else in that small pocket of people was saying anything negative.

Please, don’t get me wrong. Everyone that was sitting there was extremely disappointed in what was occurring, but they did not yell at the players or the coaches in a negative way.

Instead, they kept encouraging them all. They told them to pick their heads up and make a play on the next play. They cheered and supported them. They were great!

These were the Clemson fans you hear television announcers talk about when they call our games. These are the people that give Clemson such a great name when people talk about the best places in the country to see a football game. This is why we always have strong interest in our department when there are openings.

In the late hours of January 4, 2012, I walked out of Sun Life Stadium in Miami (FL) with tremendous appreciation for our people. It’s tough to hang in there during a game like that, but they stayed until the end.

I just want to say my strongest thank you to our fans and supporters because I witnessed something that was tremendous. We will be back!

Go Tigers!!

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something in these hills Clemson Hits Grand Slam With Brent Venables Hire Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney said thing that jumped out to me was the pride there were a couple of men he interviewed in this place. for his vacant defensive coordinator posi“Obviously, there is a rich history and tion that were what he classified as “home tradition with Howard’s Rock, the Hill and runs.” However, when he met Oklahoma’s Death Valley. I remember growing up and Brent Venables, he knew he had something actually being scared when I thought what better than a home run. it would be like to actually “Brent is a grand slam,” Swinney said at compete against a place like Venables’ introductory press conference on Clemson. It just had this Friday, Jan. 20. “The bases were loaded. If mystique to it. To be able you can get them all in instead of just one, to see it and the beautiful that’s what we went after. We hit a grand facilities that surround it slam.” was very, very special. HavVenables came to Clemson after spend- ing been to the number of ing 13 years at Oklahoma where he helped places that I have been to the Sooners win the National Champion- throughout my career, this is ship in 2000 as the co-defensive coordina- as good as it gets.” tor. He became defensive coordinator and The thing that intrigued linebackers coach in 2004, a position he Venables the most is that it can get better. held until being named to the same posi- He said Clemson is a place where the pieces tion at Clemson. The Sooners won seven Big are in place to win, and he is looking for12 Championships in his 13 years ward to helping Clemson build off with the program. its 2011 ACC Championship.

But Venables’ resume “I have a lot of apisn’t the reason Swinney preciation and a great took a liking to his new perspective on what defensive coordinator. this opportunity is, There were more than what I value and what just Xs and Os. He liked I’m looking for,” he said. the way Venables fit “The spiritual side and Clemson, and vice versa. the business side of me and The 41-year-old said there was trying to project the next 15 to Phot o by Rex Brown something to Clemson that hit him 20 years of my career, I feel like comwhen he and his wife, Julie, arrived for his ing to Clemson is more than a home run as interview. well.

“I had never been here before, and ob“For my family and I, at this time in my viously when you come to a new place you career, this is a great place for me ... the are going to have reservations, but immedi- stars did align for this to happen.” ately things stuck out to me,” Venables said.

And now it’s time to go out and prove One of those was the kind of job Terry that Swinney did, in fact, hit a grand slam.

Don Phillips has done as Clemson’s Athletic “We will win,” Venables said. “I have Director. Venables has known Phillips from great confidence for all the obvious reasons. his time as the athletic director at Okla- Location, players, leadership, passionate homa State, when he competed against the fans, the facilities and the eagerness and Cowboys in the Big 12. willingness to work for it; we have all of “I knew what kind of leadership he had, that. I really feel like the needle is pointed and then I saw it when I got off the plane in one direction. I sense that with this group here. I already knew what he had done in of coaches, they are quality men, they are Stillwater (OK), and I saw the same things quality leaders and are experienced at wintaking place here,” Venables said. “Going ning and success will follow.”

— by Will Vandervort through this facility (WestZone), the first

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Orange: The Experience

Dwayne Allen is Prepared for a Great Future One by one, players and coaches approached Dwayne Allen to give him one last goodbye as they were leaving Clemson’s football banquet last month.

“This is the reason why we get into coaching,” said Clemson tight ends coach Danny Pearman, who had his arm around Allen’s neck as he talked to his high school coach, Wayne Inman. “I’m so proud of him, and it has nothing to do with what he has accomplished as a player, but more importantly how he has grown as a man.”

Allen decided on Jan. 6 that he had accomplished all he can at Clemson as a football player and will forego his senior year to declare for April’s NFL Draft.

“It was an incredibly hard decision for me to make,” Allen said. “I had nothing growing up, and coming to Clemson I was able to have everything. I was able to have a family that was intact instead of a broken one, which is what I had back home.

“This team and community was my family. A lot of institutions will say it is a family, but at Clemson it really is, through and through. From the coaches to the players to the graduate assistants to the managers to the trainers and to the scout team guys, they all buy into it and we are all a family.”

Thanks to former players like C.J. Spiller, Photo by Rex Brown Thomas Austin and Michael Palmer, just to name a few, Allen saw what it meant to be a Tiger and why Clemson was a family. Just a red-shirt freshman at the time, the 2009 seniors, and especially Palmer, showed Allen how much of a family the Clemson football program really is, to appreciate what your teammates mean to you, and how to do things the right way.

“When a player matures at Clemson, he really understands what it means to be a Tiger,” Allen said. “In my case, I was very fortunate to open my eyes and mature enough to the point where I was able to see it before I decided to move on with my career.

“Being a Clemson Tiger, you want your team to be successful more than anything in the world. You want your fans to be happy more than anything in the world. I had more joy signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans than I did scoring touchdowns or catching passes. That is the honest truth. Being a Tiger is all about giving back to Clemson and to the community.”

Allen gave back both on and off the field. On the field, he had 93 receptions for 1,079 yards and 12 touchdowns in his three-year career. His reception and touchdown totals tied the Clemson career records for a tight end with former Pittsburgh Steeler John McMakin, who did the same from 1969-71.

Thanks to his hard work and dedication to get better, Allen became the best tight end in the country as he was a consensus first-team All-American in 2011 and winner of the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. He was the first Clemson tight end to make an All-America team since Bennie Cunningham in 1975.

Off the field, Allen gave back to the community, as he often spoke to children at area elementary schools and participated in as many service events as he could during his four years. In the classroom, he was one of the best students on the team and needs to complete just one more class to earn his degree from Clemson University.

“We are so proud of him,” Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney said. “He’s a tremendous example to all of us coaches on why we got into this profession. That’s my favorite part about coaching. To see a guy that develops into a man, to mature and learn a lot about life and how to be prepared. He is prepared for whatever comes his way.

“He is going to be a great player, but Dwayne is a good young man too, and he is prepared to have a great future.”

— by Will Vandervort

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February 2012

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VOUCHER VOUCHER

The Art of Planned Giving Bert Henderson

— associate athletic director of planned giving —

“I wish I could do more.”

Those are words that accompany so many of the gifts we receive. The truth is that there are dozens of ways for friends to “do more” for our future – if gifts are carefully planned. Gift planning is an art that combines financial planning, estate planning and tax planning techniques to enable donors to make gifts of surprising significance, often with dramatic tax and financial rewards.

The need for careful planning becomes clear when people consider the basic questions involved in making an important gift: What should I give; how should I give; when should I give; and are there special purposes my gift should accomplish?

Planning How to Give You might want to join our many friends at Clemson who have helped through bequests – gifts through their wills or living trusts. You also could choose to make a gift that reserves lifetime income to you or a family member. Clemson and IPTAY would benefit in the same manner as if you had made a bequest, but you would be entitled to charitable deductions and other tax benefits today. Or, you may prefer the simplicity of an immediate gift of cash or property. By tailoring the form of your gift to fit your personal situation, you can gain maximum tax rewards,

maintain financial security and make a truly meaningful contribution to IPTAY.

Make a Gift Through Your Estate Most people would like to make their mark on the world – to do something that leaves the Earth a better place. Your contributions to Clemson’s future make a statement about your thoughtfulness. Why not continue that support through your estate plan?

Consider a Bequest Gifts through your will can be of a particular item, dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. They can be contingent (passing to us only if another beneficiary dies before you) or in trust, providing income to your spouse or children before passing for our benefit.

Give Life Insurance You can name Clemson as the beneficiary of a policy on your life or contribute an old policy that you no longer need. Tax savings are excellent.

If you wish to learn more information on gift planning, please contact me at 864-656-2973 or berthso@clemson.edu.

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Orange: The Experience

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February 2012

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Don’t Forget, Every Pledge Counts Travis Furbee

— director of iptay annual fund —

Our deadline to pledge and pay 50 percent of your annual IPTAY membership is Feb. 15. This is an important date for us because it gives IPTAY more time to process annual donations in a timely fashion, while at the same time allowing us ample time to get our football applications out in March to the appropriate members. The 50 percent deadline allows football applications to receive full priority for the 20122013 year.

It was only four years ago that the IPTAY deadline was March 15. Now that it is February 15 being given this extra month for the remaining pledge amount, it has really enhanced IPTAY’s timeline and has helped us provide better service to our members. This helps us a great deal with our ticket and parking allocation as well as printing deadlines.

By following these deadlines, your priority is technically frozen at the end of June and is used across the board for the entire next IPTAY calendar year, which will run from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. As a reminder, IPTAY uses your annual level and then priority points for home events and for any event off campus, we use strictly priority points.

In appreciation for helping us out, we will continue to find new ways to show how we appreciate your support and all that you do for Clemson and our student-athletes. We had some different incentives this past fall that we felt were very well received by our members. We hope to do more of that in the coming year, as we have set some really aggressive goals concerning service and increasing the IPTAY membership.

As you know, the annual fund’s Number 1 priority is to provide money for scholarships that go to student-athletes that attend Clemson University. That has been and always

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Orange: The Experience

will be our main focus at IPTAY. IPTAY’s annual fund has a long-standing history of support dating back to 1934. Through the years IPTAY has helped fund scholarships for thousands of student-athletes, and also helped maintain facilities and other avenues that are important to the overall success of the university and the athletic department.

With over $18.5 million donated in 2011, the IPTAY annual fund remains the backbone of Clemson Athletics. The funding that is needed on an annual basis is vital to the success of our student-athletes and, thus, our sports teams.

Thanks to IPTAY members like you, athletics has helped make better men and women that have given back not only to Clemson University, but to our communities as well. Playing collegiate athletics allows students to not only be stronger in body, but also stronger in mind. It gives them the energy, enthusiasm and courage to grow as people.

Where else can you get the experience on how to handle adversity and learn how to handle success and disappointment?

The student-athlete’s success is Clemson’s success, which in turn is the success of the IPTAY members. As Professor Walter Riggs once said, “So long as in all these ways the best interests of this and other colleges are advanced, and the course of education aided in its highest mission … long may it live and prosper.”

We are working very hard to continue the success of IPTAY and are working very hard to enhance the services we provide to you on an annual basis. Each and every one of you is vital to IPTAY and Clemson’s overall success.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

It was a great season for Tiger football — the ACC Championship and the first trip to the Discover® Orange Bowl since 1982. What an exciting time! And it was all because of you.

IPTAY donors make the difference in the success of our student-athletes on the field and in the classroom. Your consistent, generous financial support helps keep Clemson Athletics strong and helps us recruit great talent to the program. No other university can count on the kind of outstanding loyalty that IPTAY members bring to Clemson.

We look forward to a strong 2012. Go Tigers!

February 2012

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RE P RESENTATI V E S P OTLI G H T

When did you become a Clemson fan? “Growing up I became partial to Clemson, but I became a true fan when I stepped foot on Clemson’s campus in the fall of 2000. I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of a college athletic program.”

Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “I originally joined as a student to support the school, however, once I graduated I became involved again to help support my school as well as the athletics that I loved dearly.”

Scott Runyon

What is your favorite game day tradition? “I would say my favorite tradition is the meeting up with friends while enjoying tailgating, the scenery and listening to the sounds of game day, especially the Orange Bowl March.”

Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “C.J. Spiller, to me he portrays a model as a Clemson student and conducts himself with high morals and standards. He has an ongoing passion for Clemson and makes me proud to be part of the Tiger family.”

Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “Looking back historically I’d have to say Danny Ford. He had a hard-nosed style that I liked, however, I truly appreciate what Dabo Swinney has done. He has turned the current program into a model program for student-athletes.”

What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson?

“When I come to Clemson I go downtown to the shops and I always find time to stop into Tiger Town Tavern.”

Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “IPTAY members generously contribute funds to improve facilities on our beloved campus, attract talented athletes and provide student-athletes with the opportunity to obtain an education at a top 25 public university. By donating to IPTAY, you are contributing to the success of the athletics program. Success on the field translates to increased brand recognition and pride when stating, ‘I went to Clemson.’”

— compiled by Victoria Reid

“C.J.

Spiller portrays a model as a Clemson student

and conducts himself with high morals and standards. He has an ongoing passion for Clemson

Scott (2004), Millie, & Mayson at the Clemson vs. Citadel ba sketball game in Charleston, Novembe r 2011.

Current Hometown

Hanahan, SC Years of Membership

12 Years

and makes me proud to be part of the Tiger family.”

Runyon family with Tiger Cub at brother Tim (2008) and Britney’s wedding.

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Orange: The Experience

2-year-old Mayson (IPTAY Sustaining Cub Club Member) showing her true colors.

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NE W DONOR S P OTLI G H T

When did you become a Clemson fan? “My father, who was a Clemson graduate in 1965, was the reason I became a fan when I was young. The first real thing I remember about Clemson, though, was when the Tigers went to the 1977 Gator Bowl against Pittsburgh and my father brought me home a pennant. I still have the pennant in my home today and I’ve been a Clemson fan ever since.”

Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “I’ve always enjoyed going to the football games while I was a student at Clemson, but now that I have two kids who want to go too so we decided to rejoin IPTAY for football tickets in June of last year.”

What is your favorite game day tradition? “The team running down the Hill is my favorite, but I always get to the stadium early. The energy of downtown on game day Saturdays is neat. I especially love being around all of the orange.”

Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “My favorite all-time Clemson athlete is Murray Jarman. When I was a junior in high school while living in Anderson, my father bought season tickets for basketball. Jarman’s number was 25 and after seeing him play I would always wear his number around.”

Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “Coach Danny Ford, he was the coach while I was growing up and while I was in school at Clemson.”

What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson? “I usually walk around downtown. I love seeing everyone wearing orange and all of the Tiger paws around me.”

Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “If you’re able to donate to the school and you also enjoy the athletic programs, it is a way you can help offer scholarships to student-athletes. Overall, IPTAY helps bring in talented athletes and a good face to Clemson University.”

— compiled by Victoria Reid

“The

team running down the Hill is my favorite (game day tradition), but I always get to the stadium early.

The energy of downtown on game day Saturdays is neat. I especially love being around all of the orange.”

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Darren Hall

Orange: The Experience

Current Hometown

Pendleton, SC Years of Membership

1 Year

In Focus:

Clemson’s Capital Campaign for basketball

It was a little more than a year ago 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.

One of the bigger projects in this campaign is improving the facilities at Littlejohn Coliseum and at the Huckabee Annex Practice Facility that will benefit both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The primary goal for the basketball campaign is to build a practice facility that will house both programs and will be located on either side of the existing Huckabee Annex. The plan also calls for administrative offices for both the men’s and women’s coaches and staffers.

Recently, Orange: The Experience assistant editor and senior writer Will Vandervort sat down with Associate Athletic Director for Planned Giving Bert Henderson, and Assistant Director of Major Gifts Aaron Dunham to talk about why it is important for Clemson to get up to speed with the rest of the ACC when it comes to basketball facilities.

Q: What is the purpose for adding on to the existing structure of the Huckabee Annex?

Mr. Henderson: “I really believe we have the best men’s and women’s coaching staffs in the country. They are all doing a tremendous job. The reason we started the basketball campaign is to raise money to fund a facility that will help our coaches recruit competitively. Our practice facility at Clemson, compared to other schools in the ACC, SEC and around the country, is not up to par with what they are competing against on an everyday basis. We need to enhance and update our current basketball complex. What we want to do is build a front door to basketball. The front door concept is the same thing the football program has with the WestZone.”

Q: With what the teams have right now, the coaches’ offices at Jervey and the basketball locker rooms in the annex over by Littlejohn, how does that affect the day-to-day operation of the basketball programs?

Mr. Henderson: “Not having their offices over at the Huckabee Annex, the coaches do not have the same opportunities for interactions with players as do teams with their offices located in their practice facilities. The coaches have to go back and forth all the time between Jervey and Littlejohn. If they need a player to come to the office, they must have them walk over to Jervey. Very rarely do the players journey over to the coaches offices unless they have to because everything else they do and need is located at the annex.

This unfortunately does not allow for maximum communication between coaches and players. There is no meeting room for basketball in the annex, so our coaches do not have adequate space for meetings before and after practice with their teams. Right now if they meet, they all meet in the video room. The coaches take their office from Jervey to the annex every day. And why would they come to Jervey? Everything else is over there. Right now, our coaches will leave their office sometimes an hour or so early before practice and hang out at the annex in case there is a question or two a player may have before practice starts. It is just little things like that. Those things start to add up.”

Q: Speaking of practice, why does Clemson need two new courts when you have the Littlejohn floor and the existing court located in the annex?

Mr. Dunham: “The existing practice court located at the annex is not even regulation size. When Littlejohn has a concert or hosts another event besides basketball, the team cannot practice in there because it is out of commission for two or three days. So both teams have to share that space. They have to work out their schedules and adjust it to the players’ schedules just to hold a practice. Classes are going later now, which means they have to hold practice later in the evening because the coliseum is not available.”

Q: Will these new practice courts be regulation length?

Mr. Dunham: “Yes. In fact, through our drawings, we will have full courts and then we will have half courts as well. In other words, when they practice five-onfive, there are three or four other guys on the team that can use their time to work on free throws or any individual skill development. Right now, when they go fiveon-five, the other guys are just standing around because there is nothing they can do.”

Q: How will having a front door for basketball help the basketball programs?

Mr. Henderson: “It’s hard to be competitive with what we have right now. I think the best facility right now in the ACC is at Virginia. You see what has happened to them. They are much better. It gives us a chance to finish and compete for an ACC Championship every year, especially with the two head coaches we have in place.”

Q: With new practice courts needed and new offices for both programs, what will be the cost for basketball to have a new front door?

Mr. Dunham: “Right now we are at a $12 million figure. So far, in less than a year, we have raised over $1 million, and that is good because this is the first comprehensive basketball fundraising campaign that Clemson has done, that we know of. Fortunately, we have a great committee that is doing a great job. But, what we really need is a couple of significant leadership gifts that would propel us to get this started.”

Q: What kind of incentives are you giving for those that donate to the basketball campaign?

Mr. Dunham: “At all ACC men’s home games, we are doing a hospitality room for everyone that has given $25,000 or more to the campaign. We have been inviting some prospects to that as well. It is available an hour before and at halftime.

This is so they can come and see the current facility and what we are talking about.

It is a good talking point. We also have an assistant coach come up and give a scouting report and a little preview of what they are going to try and do in that game. It’s inside access. That’s been really good, and people have enjoyed that. We have some plans for the future too, but nothing we can say at this moment.”

— by Will Vandervort

February 2012

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IPTAY Representatives Thanked at National Meeting Hundreds of IPTAY Representatives convened on the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on the night of February 2 for the annual IPTAY National Representative meeting. This dinner gives our coaches, administrators and others the opportunity to say thank you for all that this group of volunteers does throughout each fundraising year to help IPTAY meet its goals. Coach Swinney, Coach Brownell, President Barker and IPTAY President Charles Dalton all shared the same sentiment with the attendees; Thank You. Student-athletes Dalton Freeman and April Sinkler also addressed the group and shared their experience while at Clemson and how appreciative they are for the support IPTAY donors provide to them and other students.

IPTAY Representatives were recognized for their excellence during the 2011 IPTAY year by awarding the Most New Donors, New Rep of the Year, Female Rep of the Year and overall IPTAY Rep of the Year recognition.

Charlie Grace from Florence took home two awards this year as the 2011 IPTAY Rep of the Year and the Rep with the Most New Donors for IPTAY 2011. Charlie signed up 21 new IPTAY members last year edging Ron-

nie O’Kelley from Seneca who signed up 14. Charlie is also the county chairperson for Florence County as well as working in the spring to host one of the best Prowl & Growl meetings on tour.

Ann Hunter from Greenwood was recognized as the Female IPTAY Rep of the Year.

Along with her husband Wilson Hunter, Ann signed up five new IPTAY donors for 2011.

Ann also serves as the President-elect of the Alumni National Council. There is no doubt that her passion serves many areas of Clemson University.

Richard Amaker was the final award recipient as the New IPTAY Rep of the Year. After serving as an ISAB member as a student, Richard moved to Atlanta, GA where he continued his support of IPTAY by becoming an IPTAY Rep and encouraging many of his friends to sign up as new donors through the IPTAY Young Alumni program.

Thank you to all IPTAY Representatives for their role in growing the IPTAY Scholarship Fund. IPTAY 2012 has great momentum that we hope you will carry on into your community and encourage new and continued support from all Tiger Fans.

Announcing the 2012 Prowl And growl tour StoPS Plan to join fellow alumni, IPTAY members and Clemson friends in your area for these exciting events.

For more information on dates and locations for the Prowl and Growl in your area, go to clemson.edu/alumni.

April 9 — greenwood

May 1 — greensboro

April 16 — greenville

May 3 — columbia

April 17 — Aiken

May 8 — Myrtle Beach

April 23 — lexington

May 12 — orlando

April 24 — charleston

May 21 — rock hill

April 26 — Florence

May 22 — Atlanta May 31 — charlotte

For ticket information visit clemsontigers.com

864-656-5896 clemson.edu/giving

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Orange: The Experience

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19

Behind the

Goggles A Closer Look at

Bryan Narcisse

by William Qualkinbush photos by Rex Brown

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Orange: The Experience

B

ryan Narcisse hears the cheers when he enters the game for the Clemson men’s basketball team. Students, alumni, and fans alike have grown to love and admire the way the RecSpecced senior approaches the game with a no-holds-barred playing style.

But when his Clemson career is over and he takes his goggles off for good, Narcisse hopes that future generations of Tigers remember him as much more than that.

“I’ve never wanted basketball to be my identity,” the North Augusta native said. “I know that all it takes is one injury and it’s gone. So I’ve tried to be a little more well-rounded. You realize that you’re going to school for free, and that money comes from somewhere. So I’m trying to make the most of my opportunity.”

Student-athletes are often remembered or forgotten based on in-game accomplishments. Even as a young freshman, Narcisse knew his contributions on the court would never be elite; this season, he is eighth on the team in minutes played per game.

So how could a self-described role player make such a significant impact on those around him?

Narcisse says it stems from the influence of his mother, who taught him as a high schooler that there were problems in the world that were unrelated to his own personal day-to-day issues. He says it is her mindset — fully instilled in him by now — that drives him to serve and impact others.

“My mom always used to tell me that from this point in your life, all the things that you’re doing aren’t about you,” Narcisse recalled from conversations they had during his freshman year at North Augusta High School. “Even if you think they are, they’re not. It’s all about the people who are going to come after you. When you really grasp that, you want to talk to people. You want to share everything that you’ve gone through.”

So the 6-foot-6 forward has dedicated the better part of a four-year college career to attempting to make an impact in a Clemson community that never would have met him if not for former Tiger coach Oliver Purnell offering him a full scholarship after his original college choice, Western Kentucky, was left without a coach following the departure of Darrin Horn to South Carolina.

Narcisse has a relatable personality that comes across particularly well when he is in front of a group of youngsters, imparting knowledge he learned the hard way growing up.

He has a level of comfort speaking to crowds that he has developed for years.

Such engagements have become a routine part of life for Narcisse.

“Any time somebody asks me to come and speak, whether it’s at an elementary school or at a church, I usually take the chance to do it if my schedule allows,” he said. “I love doing it. I love being an ambassador for Clemson, an ambassador for my family. It’s a great feeling to be able to take all of those people with me wherever I go.”

The same selfless nature that drives Narcisse to make an impact off campus has also inspired him to get involved in similar worthy causes among his peers. In an era where studentathletes are often too busy to become engaged with their classmates, Narcisse has found time to get involved with several campus ministries, most specifically the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

FCA has utilized Narcisse in unique ways, but perhaps the most unique of all involves a not-so-secret passion of the Clemson senior — hip-hop.

Narcisse has been writing and performing since his high school days and says the combination of the two has become his favorite thing to do. He has developed a bit of a reputation among Clemson students for his abilities. He says that a rap career could be in his future at some point.

“I wouldn’t rule it out, but I don’t really know,” Narcisse said. “It’s wherever God takes me. If that’s a door that He opens up and things fall into place, who knows? I might be coming back to rap at a halftime show in Littlejohn.”

Energy is Narcisse’s key contribution on the basketball court; it can come via a ferocious dunk, an emphatic block or a hustle play. It is an infectious sort of energy that can send Littlejohn Coliseum into a frenzied state.

But away from the court, he describes himself as a “chill” guy who likes to relax and have a good time. Clemson fans might find such a revelation difficult to believe, but Narcisse says he likes to get away from the high-energy basketball player sometimes and just relax in his own skin.

“That’s a big on-the-court persona,” Narcisse said of his personality as a player. “I’m really chill. I’m not super outgoing off the court, but I do like to have fun. I think part of it comes out when people talk about basketball off the court, but it really comes out on the court.”

Bryan Narcisse is the quintessential college student, eager to explore himself and find out who he wants to be in life. Oftentimes, the demands of collegiate athletics do not allow for those types of players to emerge. But Narcisse has truly carved out his own path so that he is as popular now for who he is as for what he has done.

“Bryan is a special guy because he cares

about the things that are most important — faith, family, and the gifts that God has given him,” said Tanner Smith, Narcisse’s classmate, teammate, and close friend. “I think that’s really admirable. He puts time into those things, and I think it shows every day. He’s a guy that really cares about other people.”

With only a few games left in his career and December graduation already a distant memory, Narcisse’s decision to make basketball secondary seems to be the correct one. The instant credibility that comes with being a student-athlete at Clemson is fading, but the ability he has to make an impact is not going away. Instead, Narcisse

says he is simply entering a different phase of his life and he hopes that he has done enough with his opportunities to continue being a role model.

“I have such a big platform playing ACC basketball — playing for Clemson,” Narcisse said. “People will listen to me. I’ve tried to make sure that I haven’t wasted that.”

The fans he has excited, the people he has inspired, and the children he has impacted would argue that he has not wasted a second.

At top right: Narcisse graduated from Clemson in three and a half years.

He was presented his communication studies degree prior to the Wake Forest game on Jan. 28 after missing the December ceremony due to a tournament in Hawaii.

Above: Narcisse is one of the most athletic, exciting players in all of college basketball.

At right: Narcisse celebrates a monster follow dunk in a game earlier this season against Duke.

February 2012

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21

Basketball center Catalin Baciu spends much of his free time studying criminal justice data at Brackett Hall.

Photo by Rex Brown

T

o the Clemson fanbase, reserve center Catalin Baciu is a fan favorite inside Littlejohn Coliseum – a free-spirited, happygo-lucky, 7-foot-2 giant. What most aren’t aware of, however, is the brilliance behind the man better known as Bobo to coaches, teammates and fans.

Baciu is on schedule to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, with an emphasis in criminal justice. He has a minor in creative writing as well. This semester and in two recent semesters, he has conducted independent studies with Dr. Margaret Britz, a criminal justice professor in the department of

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Orange: The Experience

sociology and anthropology.

The focus of these independent studies has crossed a variety of topics that intrigue him, from computer forensics and illegal carding, to his current study in the subculture of online social activists.

In the first study, Baciu evaluated various forensic software platforms – including tools to recover data files and crack encryption – to determine their viability in criminal investigations. With illegal carding, his focus was to identify channels for the trafficking of stolen identification documents, including but not limited to credit card numbers, social security numbers and pin numbers. His current study has him evaluating modes of communication between the criminal hacker group, Anonymous, through their dissemination of information regarding attacks via the Web. “Bobo’s greatest strength is his academic inquisitiveness,” Britz said. “He has taken these endeavors with a level of commitment traditionally associated Baciu with criminal with graduate level justice professor, education. He works Dr. Margaret Britz. tirelessly on these Baciu, who first projects, and the fact took interest in that he continues to computers in his display unwavering home country of enthusiasm for these Romania, will earn academic pursuits his undegraduate despite his travel and degree in May. practice schedule is Photo by Rex Brown

downright remarkBaciu is pictured at an FBI luncheon with able.”

Columbia Division Baciu took an David Thomas interest in technol(left) and Frank ogy when his parAbagnale, one of ents purchased his the bureau’s most first computer when respected lecturers he was 16 years old. and consultants.

“I had the oldPhoto courtesy of est computer you Dr. Margaret Britz can get,” he said.

“I broke it a thousand times, and my parents weren’t going to pay for it to get fixed over and over again. The last time I took it to get fixed, I watched how they did it. After that, I took an interest in computers.”

After arriving in the United States from Romania as part of the Matthew 28 Project at Veritas Christian Academy in Asheville, NC,

Renaissance Man Baciu’s Drive, Determination Have Him Excelling On and Off the Court

Baciu originally enrolled in computer engineering at Clemson.

“I had two labs in a day, and I couldn’t go to practice if I had those labs, so I wasn’t able to keep that major,” he said.

It didn’t take long for the daily grind of being a student-athlete in one of the top college basketball conferences in the country to set in. A true 7-footer with a good skill set, his biggest nemesis upon arrival was his slender frame. Baciu was 210 pounds when he set foot on campus. As a point of reference, Clemson’s best player at the time was Trevor Booker, who owned 30 pounds on Baciu despite being seven inches shorter.

As he worked to add weight to his frame, Baciu’s playing time suffered. In his first two seasons, he played just 85 minutes and appeared in 21 of a possible 64 games.

“I thought about transferring at one point, but to be honest, I really enjoyed being at Clemson,” Baciu said.

In April 2010, Clemson underwent a coaching change with the hire of Brad Brownell from Wright State. The first assistant coach Brownell brought to Tigertown was former Richmond basketball standout Mike Winiecki. Standing 6-foot-8 himself, Winiecki didn’t hesitate to jump right into drills with Baciu and the Tigers’ other post players in order to expedite individual development.

In his first season under Brownell and Winiecki, the Clemson center appeared in a careerbest 23 games and showed improvement when the opportunity presented itself.

“Coach Winiecki has been great,” Baciu said.

“He’s worked with me ever since they got here.

He told me what I needed to work on and showed me film to explain where I needed to be on offense and defense.”

With a fresh start, Baciu worked harder than ever in the summer of 2011 as he prepared for

the first half, and then matched his career-high with 10 points in 19 minutes in a close game at Miami on Jan. 19.

“I reached a constant point with my weight, and I have felt more comfortable on the court,” he said. “Playing against Trevor and Jerai (Grant) made me tougher. It’s been more fun to play meaningful minutes.”

Tiger fans have taken great pride in Bacby Philip Sikes iu’sThe development. From the time he arrived on campus, he was a fan favorite due to his his final season in a size and personality.

Clemson uniform.

“I’ll never forget the Maryland game His weight finally a our freshman year when the first row of steady 255 pounds, he students had the phrase ‘We love Bobo’ found himself contribpainted on their backs,” he said. “The uting regularly to the fans sold Clemson to me. Win or lose, team as the Tigers have there are people who stay in the gym and progressed through sing the alma mater with you and clap the 2011-12 season. for you.”

He showed flashes Baciu has embraced the Clemson spirof what he could do it throughout his time with the program. with a nine-point outHe is often seen at soccer and volleyball ing at The Citadel in matches, and even swim meets, cheering only the second game on his fellow student-athletes. In fact, he has gone as far as to paint his body with of the season, and took other Clemson students for the volleyit a step further on ball team’s “Dig Pink” match – an annuDec. 4 with a 10-point al celebration of breast cancer awareness. performance against He is a beloved figure not only by classmates, but by faculty and staff alike.

Britz, who has worked closely with him in his studies over the past two and a half years, believes her prized pupil has a bright future due to his intelligence, drive and deAbove: Baciu slams home termination. two of his nine points in Those are the same attriClemson’s 20-point win over butes Baciu has displayed Florida State to open ACC on an everyday basis as a play.

Photo by Rex Brown hard-working member of the Clemson basketball At right: Baciu scored program. double figures for the first “In my near 20-year time in his career on Dec. career, I have never had 4 against South Carolina. the privilege of teaching a Photo by Dawson Powers student so dogged in their pursuit of knowledge,” the Tigers’ in-state rival, South Carolina.

Britz said. “He constantly emails, texts or His best moments have come in ACC play, Skype’s me his ideas from the team bus, airthough. He sparked a rout of Florida State on ports and hotels. I think that Bobo is a conJan. 7 with seven points during a 20-0 run in temporary Renaissance man.”

February 2012

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23

The 2011 Season Through My Eyes

by Dawson Zimmerman, Proud Wearer of #96 | photos by Rex Brown

T

oday, I played Tiger Woods Golf 2008 for roughly three hours, went to one of my two graduate courses, punted no more than 30 balls out on the practice field, and then made a dinner that consisted of sticking a frozen chicken breast in the oven, waiting for the cooking of said chicken, and then sitting on my couch to wait. Which is where I find myself now.

Meanwhile, my “teammates,” who are technically no longer my teammates, woke up in the morning and braved another of our winter workouts, many of them going back to the weight room for a second session of work, and even more of them choosing to watch film or study the assignments they will be expected to know for spring practice. They’ll go to sleep (hopefully) at a reasonable hour, set alarm clocks for 5:15, and then proceed to spend the night halfway in dream, halfway in waiting for the horrible, truly horrible sound of that clock. If I had ever woken up late for a mat drill, I had the legitimate plan of crashing my Plymouth Grand Voyager into a ditch on Perimeter Road: “Sorry, Coach, I know I’m late,

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Orange: The Experience

but you should just be thankful I’m alive.”

It takes a good degree of perspective to write about the entirety of a season. It’s easy to use statistics as a crutch and point to the scoreboard as a defining testament to an entire body of work. I’ve never been a numbers guy, partly because words are better, and partly because numbers are the worst, but I truly don’t think that numbers tell the whole story of our season. Statistics are accessible to everyone. But experiences? That’s what really makes sense.

To preface, this is our season, defined by my memories. They aren’t the collective memories of everyone on that 2011 team because I don’t yet have that technology and I’m not yet an oracle (someday?), but it’s the season and how I experienced it.

And what an experience it turned out to be. ››› Troy I’m walking out with the captains and I see Will Goggans, the punter for Troy, walking toward me from the other sideline. We trained with each other the previous summer, so there was some friendly rivalry in the sense that he had already conceded to me in the weeks prior that Troy would probably lose. This is the same

Zimmerman’s first impression of speedster Sammy Watkins was a favorable one, as he took his first touch against Troy to the end zone for a score.

Zimmerman said fellow captain Andre Branch remarked how Clemson’s environment was better than the one at Virginia Tech, and then the senior defensive end went on to record a careerhigh four sacks in the win over the Hokies.

Will Goggans who was featured by ESPN for his Santa Claus beard before their bowl game and who has, to some degree, the same beard hanging from his grinning face that I see across the field. His stupid smile says: “Dude. I can’t believe I’m a captain.” And that’s when I knew there was no chance we were going to lose.

Our first offensive possession, Tajh Boyd throws that pass to Sammy Watkins, and then all of a sudden Sammy’s just … gone. It was almost that same kind of feeling you get when you create a player in NCAA Football, go into the system and tweak all his stats up to 100, then finally release him in a game and joyously watch as he runs past all the other children. ››› Auburn Most people remember the Auburn game for Coach Swinney’s crazed interview from in the midst of a Clemson throng, but for us, I think that’s the game where we all realized, “we might be really good.”

Earlier that week, Coach Swinney met with the seniors, and I remember exactly what he said and the way he said it: “Guys, we’re a better team than Auburn.” He pronounced “Auburn” with a distinct facial contortion, like he was in the midst of smelling something terrible, or, say, telling a punter to run back onto the field. I think we won that game and were able to come back because all of us truly chose to believe that we were a better team. The

symmetry of the Auburn game this year and the Auburn game last year is unmistakable.

This year’s win propelled us through the next few games because for the first time all season, we began to believe that maybe … maybe we had the potential to be good, or maybe even really good.

I also remember dropping a punt onto the head of one of their coaches in warm-ups, so there’s that, too. ››› Florida State Any time you can basically hyperextend your knee and flip onto your head/neck in the same movement, you know you’re getting places. Type in “Clemson Punter gets DESTROYED” on YouTube, and you can see what I’m talking about. It’s OK. I’ve watched it like 60 times.

Personal troubles aside, this was absolutely, without a doubt, one of my favorite moments in Death Valley. That last play, you’ve got everyone in the stands screaming at the top of their lungs, and then as Trickett goes down, it’s like people are screaming from their souls, taking the volume to a whole new decibel level One of Zimmerman’s favorite memories of the 2011 season was this sack by senior Rennie Moore that sent Death Valley into a fever pitch during Clemson’s victory over Florida State.

and frenzy. Everyone was sprinting down our sideline and jumping around with the same enthusiasm of a kid who has just discovered one of those inflatable bouncy-castles. I’m usually pretty reserved during games, but I too was sprinting down that stretch of turf like Usain Bolt. My dad was watching and had the savvy to clock my 40-time. 4.3, for any scouts who are interested. ››› At Virginia Tech One of the best ways to sum up that VT game is to quote Andre Branch, who, like me, got the privilege of watching the whole “Enter Sandman” thing firsthand as we waited to go out to the coin toss. The music starts playing, and if you talked to VT people, you would think that during the introduction seismic waves start shaking the stadium and the ground opens up and it’s Metallica’s James Hetfield and VT runs out with blood streaming from their faces and somewhere Lucifer is smiling. But Branch goes, “Man, this ain’t got nothin’ on the Valley.” And it didn’t.

If we had lost that game after standing out in the wind and the rain, I might have just stayed behind and let the VT fans chop up my body and feed it to a Hokie. They do that kind of stuff, right? ››› Georgia Tech, NC State, South Carolina, West Virginia In a perfect world, I would just ignore these losses, but … well … here we are. Sometimes I wonder why teams lose. After any game, reporters are quick to seek out someone from the losing side to try and get an explanation for the loss and how exactly something so horrible could have transpired. You hear answers like, “We underestimated them.” Or, “We beat ourselves.” Or, even the occasional, “We February 2012

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25

were just flat, and we got crushed.” Every fan always wonders “HOW?” It’s easy to think that had we had just one more perfect practice, the tide would have turned our way, or maybe if we had worked out just one percent harder, then that’s it, that’s what would have made the difference, when in reality, sometimes losses just happen. There’s an infinite number of tiny details that all contribute to a team losing, and that’s what makes losing frustrating. Sometimes I think you hear the same answers from a losing team because they’re just trying to justify it for themselves, to put it in any kind of framework that makes sense, to construct something that’s fixable.

If someone asks me why I shanked a punt, I might respond with a number of explanations, but sometimes I honestly just don’t know. I’m not quite sure why we lost to NC State, Georgia Tech and South Carolina. But one thing that is tangible about losses is their nature as a catalyst for getting up to a new level of dedication and work ethic and mental focus. A team is never invincible to losses, but they can do everything within their power to cut down that such a possibility might occur. Because losing stinks.

Glad that paragraph is done. ››› ACC Championship I had never punted an orange until this year. Cross it off the bucket list. Fact: They explode.

Anyone who discounts the accomplishment of winning an ACC Championship, finally, has never been in our shoes. I remember Coach Billy Napier sitting in my living room, looking at me, and saying, “Z-man, you’re gonna help us win the ACC.” 1991. 1991. That’s all we ever heard about. It’s a number that keeps looking more and more ridiculous the more you stare at it, and not just because it’s a palindrome. That Clemson would have gone 20 years without an ACC championship is just a ridiculous number. I told you I hated numbers.

One of the best feelings at the end of that game was that it finally felt like we had done something that mattered. Coach Swinney liked to stay optimistic and give us statistics that said we were on the right path. That we were technically “champions” after we won our division. That we had been ranked higher

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Orange: The Experience

than blah blah since blah blah. All of it was well and good, but I wanted to feel something tangible. And that something was an orange on my foot. A tangible tangerine. (See what I did there?! The parallel “tang” and the alliteration and the … uh … nevermind.) ››› Orange bowl Which brings me to West Virginia, that on first glance seems like a black and oozing mole on the cheek of what would normally be a relatively pretty girl. But here’s the thing. As nice as it would have been for the seniors to end our careers with a win and cap off a great season of football in a perfect way, we didn’t. And

Dawson Zimmerman, pictured with academic advisor Yashica Martin, was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in 2011.

that’s why my former teammates are forced to wake up in the morning and grind out winter workouts, spring practice and then suffer throughout the entire summer. It’s the burden of not going backwards and of pressing forward to take Clemson to the prestigious place where it belongs.

››› one last memory I stood in that locker room after the bowl game with my pads still on my shoulders.

Win or loss, I think it would have ended this way. As I took off my jersey for the last time, I had sworn to myself I wouldn’t get emotional and wouldn’t let down my guard. But there’s something about completion that just gets me, that regardless of all of our accomplishments on the field, all of us seniors had completed our journey as Clemson Tigers and would never again run down the Hill or listen to the screams of the crowd. Not for us.

I put my towel to my face so no one would see that my eyes were brimming with tears. In that moment, the gratitude and love I felt toward God, toward Clemson and for my teammates was a moment I knew that I would always come back to. When I’m older and I’m thinking back on my Clemson career, like I said before, I probably won’t even remember scores.

I’ll be able to recollect that we got massacred at the hands of West Virginia, yes, but by then, it won’t mean anything.

What will mean something is turning on the television, or hologram by that point, and watching the Clemson players run down the same Hill journeyed down many times by my pale, high-socked legs. The same field where I felt at times the greatest successes and at times like the world might be ending as I watched a football careen from my foot a mere 30 yards.

With great anticipation, I imagine this future for the Clemson program, where I can look at the game being played in the shadow of Death Valley’s stands and know that I contributed to a program rising to reclaim the success it once tasted. This was a season that will be remembered more for its great successes than its few failures — one more step in the direction of greatness that all of us Clemsonites know lies somewhere inherent.

I’m still on my couch right now. And … my chicken is done. All you Clemson fans can probably take solace in my choice of dinner.

And I say “Clemson fans” … I guess I’m officially one of you now. I think I would be remiss to not say thank you to all of you who made this incredible journey for me and my teammates possible. Playing college football as a Clemson Tiger has truly been one of the most challenging, rewarding and exciting times of my life.

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— Dabo Swinney, Head Coach Clemson University Football F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 ❘ 27

2012 Clemson football signee class Martin Aiken (6-3, 245, DE) Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, Bamberg, SC Ranked as the #24 defensive end in the nation by Scout.com, where he is a four-star player…#25 defensive end in the nation and #2 overall player in South Carolina by Rivals.com, also a four-star player by that service…#43 defensive end in the nation by ESPN.com, which lists him as a threestar player…#10 player in South Carolina and #23 defensive end in the nation by 247Sports.com…#11 player in South Carolina

by SuperPrep…played in the Offense-Defense All-American game…recorded 73 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior…recorded 106 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and 16 sacks as a junior…comes to Clemson from same school that sent Da’Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp to Clemson, they are both currently in the NFL…coached by Kevin Crosby at BambergEhrhardt…recruited to Clemson by Marion Hobby…born Oct. 17, 1993.

Isaiah Battle (6-7, 285, OT) Blue Ridge (VA) School, Brooklyn, NY Rated as the #5 prep school prospect in the nation by Rivals.com out of Fork Union Military Academy...#36 offensive lineman in the nation and #11 player in Virginia

by Rivals.com at Blue Ridge School...#59 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN. com...two-time, first-team all-state selection...had 67 tackles and seven sacks as a senior...had 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a junior...first-team All-Virginia Independent Conference as a senior...all-conference as an offensive and defensive lineman...attended Blue Ridge School to play basketball...coached by John Shuman at Fork Union Military Academy and Del Smith at Blue Ridge School...enrolled at Clemson in January 2012 and will go through spring practice…recruited by Danny Pearman...born Feb. 10, 1993.

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Travis Blanks (6-1, 195, DB) North Florida Christian School, Tallahassee, FL Rated as the #15 overall player and the #2 safety in the nation by ESPN.com...Clemson’s top incoming player according to ESPN.com…#25 overall player and #2 defensive back in the nation by Tom Lemming...#60 player and #4 defensive back in the nation by Rivals.com...#13 safety in the nation by Scout. com…#12 safety in the nation by 247Sports.com…#1 player in the Orlando area

by Orlando Sentinel...played in the U.S. Army All-American game...his North Florida Christian School team won the state title his freshman and senior year...third-team All-American by ESPN. com…honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated as a senior despite missing five games due to injury…earned all-state honors as a junior and senior…named FACA 1A Player of the Year as a junior…named First Team AllBig Bend as a junior and senior...had 104 tackles, four interceptions, 35 receptions, and eight touchdowns as a junior...comes to Clemson from the same area as recent Clemson All-American DeAndre McDaniel (2007-10)...coached

by Robert Craft at North Florida Christian School...enrolled at Clemson in January 2012, he will go through spring practice…recruited by Jeff Scott…born Dec. 3, 1993.

Zac Brooks (6-2, 180, RB) Jonesboro Senior High School, Jonesboro, AR Rated as the #129 player in the nation by Tom Lemming...#15 athlete in the nation by Rivals.com...#35 wide receiver in the nation and #3 player in Arkansas by ESPN.com...#15 running back in the nation and top player in state of Arkansas

by Rivals.com…#3 player in Arkansas and #22 athlete in the nation by 247Sports. com…#42 wide receiver in nation by Scout.com... ranked as #1 overall player in Arkansas by SuperPrep…played at Jonesboro Senior High School, where he was a running back and wide receiver...

had an injury-plagued senior season, but still had 650 rushing yards and nine touchdowns along with five receiving touchdowns...had 28 receptions as a senior...had 1,358 yards on 180 carries and 15 touchdowns along with 33 receptions for 211 yards as a junior...had 38 receptions for 769 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore... first Tiger signee from the state of Arkansas since 1976 (Steve Carr); Carr did not play in a game, therefore if Brooks plays in a game, he would become the first Tiger from Arkansas on record to play in a game for the Tigers...coached by Randy Coleman at Jonesboro Senior High School... enrolled at Clemson in January 2012, he will go through spring practice…recruited by Chad Morris…born Feb. 1, 1993.

Josh Brown (6-5, 288, DT) South Aiken High School, Aiken, SC Ranked as the #76 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com… #19 player in South Carolina by Rivals.com…#38 player in South Carolina by ESPN.com…#26 player in South Carolina according to 247Sports. com…rated as a three-star prospect by all four services...ranked as the #28 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep…named SCFCA 4A Lower State Lineman of the Year, and Region 5 4A Defensive MVP… named to the ESPN RISE Channel 6 All-Area team…a member of the Aiken Standard AllArea team and the Augusta Chronicle All-Area team…played in the North-South High School All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach…recorded 90 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a senior…coached by Jeremy West at South Aiken High School…recruited by Charlie Harbison… born May 26, 1993.

T.J. Burrell (5-11, 205, LB) Goose Creek High School, Goose Creek, SC Ranked as the #57 outside linebacker in the nation and #20 overall player in South Carolina

by ESPN.com...#58 outside linebacker in the country by Scout.com…#26 player in South Carolina by Rivals.com #21 in South Carolina by 247Sports.com…listed as a three-star

prospect by all three services…#18 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep… played in the Shrine Bowl for the South Carolina team and the Offense-Defense AllAmerican game…recorded 105 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior…Coached by former Clemson assistant coach Chuck Reedy at Goose Creek High School…recruited by Tony Elliott…born Jan. 26, 1994.

Patrick DeStefano (6-4, 275, OL) Dorman High School, Spartanburg, SC Rated as the #115 overall player in the nation

by ESPN.com…ranked as #13 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN.com as well...#19 offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com...played in the Shrine Bowl...played in the Under Armour All-America game along with classmate Jay Guillermo...#18 overall player in South Carolina according to 247Sports.com…

South Carolina Coaches Association Lineman-of-the-Year at Dorman High School...Big 16 Upper State Lineman-ofthe-Year...first-team all-area each of the last two years from an academic standpoint...graded 82 percent as a senior by his coaches...his father played at Duke and lettered in 1976 and 1977… high school teammate of current Clemson wide receivers Adam Humphries and Charone Peake...coached by Dave Gutshall at Dorman High School...enrolled at Clemson in January of 2012…recruited by Jeff Scott….born Nov. 26, 1993.

Kevin Dodd (6-5, 280, DL) Riverside High School, Taylors, SC Spent the 2011 season at Hargrave Military Academy...had an outstanding career in two sports at Riverside High School...#14 player in South Carolina by Rivals. com...#27 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep... played in the North-South High School All-Star game in Myrtle Beach; he had five tackles, two sacks, a caused fumble, and recovered fumble in that game...all-region and all-county selection...had 78 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three caused fumbles, one recovered fumble, and four pass breakups as a senior...outstanding track athlete; he joined that team in the spring of 2010...county champion in the shot put, runner-up in the discus, and named Greenville County Field Athlete-of-the-Year...region champion in the shot and discus and was a state qualifier in the shot put...Riverside High

School Field Athlete-of-the-Year and was voted as a team captain as a senior...set school records in the shot (49’ 1”) and discus (128’ 6.5”)...coached

by Steve Eoute in football and Eric Cummings in track at Riverside High School...recruited by Jeff Scott and Dan Brooks…enrolled at Clemson in January 2012….born July 14, 1992.

Ronald Geohaghan (6-0, 185, DB) Allendale-Fairfax High School, Fairfax, SC Ranked as the #10 safety in the nation and the #3 overall player in South Carolina by Rivals.com, which lists him as a four-star prospect…#23 safety in the country by Scout. com, which also rates him as a four-star prospect…#21 safety in the country and #10 player in South Carolina by ESPN.com, which list him as a three-star prospect…ranked as 13th best player in South Carolina and #30 safety in the nation by 247Sports. com…played in the Shrine Bowl and the Offense-Defense All-American game…coached by Eddie Ford at Allendale-Fairfax High School… comes to Clemson from the same school that sent Clemson all-time leading rusher Raymond Priester…recruited by Marion Hobby…born Aug. 9, 1994.

Jay Guillermo (6-2, 287, C) Maryville High School, Maryville, TN Rated as the #89 player in the nation, #1 center in the nation, and #1 player in Tennessee by ESPN.com...first-team All-American by ESPN. com, MaxPreps.com, and Sports Illustrated...#13 center in the nation by Rivals. com...#15 player in state of Tennessee and #9 center in the nation by 247Sports. com…helped Maryville High School to the state title each of the last two seasons...

Mr. Football Lineman-of-the-Year in Tennessee... played in the Under Armour All-America game with Clemson classmates Patrick DeStefano and Chad Kelly...County player-of-the-year...led his team to a 15-0 record as a senior, as his team was ranked #11 in the nation by MaxPreps.com.... played in East/West Tennessee All-Star Game… first commitment to Clemson’s 2012 class... coached by George Quarles at Maryville High School...enrolled at Clemson in January 2012… recruited by Dan Brooks…born Aug. 26, 1994.

Germone Hopper (6-0, 170, WR) Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology, Charlotte, NC As a consensus four-star prospect, he is ranked as #11 wide receiver in the country and #75 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com…#13 wide receiver in the nation and #81 overall player

in the country by ESPN. com…#20 wide receiver prospect in the nation by Scout.com…#4 prospect in North Carolina by both Rivals.com and ESPN. com…#6 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep… ranked as #113 overall player, #6 player in North Carolina and #15 wide receiver by 247Sports. com…played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the Shrine Bowl…rushed for over 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his four years in high school…returned five kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns as a senior…finished his high school career as school’s career leader in rushing yards, punt and kickoff return yardage…coached by Andrew Howard at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology…recruited by Danny Pearman…born Oct. 22, 1993.

Oliver Jones (6-6, 320, OL) Ninety Six High School, Ninety Six, SC Rated as the #14 offensive guard/center in the nation by MaxPreps.com...#58 offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com...#65 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN.com...#66 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com...top-15 player in South Carolina by Rivals.com...top-20 player in South Carolina by ESPN. com...ranked #21 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep…ranked as #22 player in South Carolina by 247Sports.com…named SCFCA 1A Upper State Lineman of the Year…an SCFCA FirstTeam All-State player…played in the Shrine Bowl…from the same school that produced former Clemson All-ACC running back Ronald Williams (1990-92)...he will now be a teammate with Williams’ son, who is now a sophomore defensive lineman on the Clemson team…coached

by Chris Liner at Ninety Six High School...enrolled at Clemson in January 2012…recruited

by Charlie Harbison…born Sept. 26, 1993.

Chad Kelly (6-3, 209, QB) Saint Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Buffalo, NY Ranked as #1 overall player in the state of New York and #4 quarterback in the country

by ESPN.com, where he is listed as a four-star prospect…that site also lists him as the 84th best overall player in the nation…#4 dual-threat quarterback in the country and #2 player in New York by Rivals.com, which also rated him as a four-star player…

247Sports.com ranks him as fourth best dual quarterback February 2012

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and 101st best overall player in the nation… named SuperPrep All-American…played in the Under Armour All-American Game…threw for 3,050 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 991 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior… threw for 2159 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 1059 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior…led his team to the state championship game as a junior and senior, winning the state title as a junior…a four-time National Punt, Pass & Kick winner, and the current record holder… played at Saint Joseph’s Collegiate Institute…recruited by Chad Morris…born March 26, 1994.

Shaq Lawson (6-3, 240, DE) D.W. Daniel High School, Central, SC Ranked as #18 defensive end in the nation and #3 player in South Carolina by ESPN.com, listed by that service as a four-star recruit…#19 defensive end in nation and #5 player in South Carolina by Rivals.com, which also lists him as a four-star prospect…ranked as fifth best overall player in South Carolina and 24th best defensive end in the nation by 247Sports.com…rated as a three-star prospect by Scout.com…played in the North-South High School All-Star game and the Offense-Defense All-American game…recorded 99 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, nine sacks and forced five fumbles as a senior…recorded 100 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior…coached by Randy Robinson at D.W. Daniel High School… recruited by Chad Morris and Marion Hobby… born June 17, 1994.

Jay Jay McCullough (6-5, 232, TE) Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill, SC Ranked as #45 athlete in the country by ESPN. com...a consensus three-star prospect, he is a top20 player in South Carolina by ESPN.com and Rivals.com…ranked as 16th best player in South Carolina and 59th best athlete by 247Sports.com…#26 tight end in the nation by Scout. com…played in the Shrine Bowl and the Offense-Defense All-American game… recorded 37 receptions for 493 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards as a senior…coached by Michael Allen at Nation Ford High School…recruited by Jeff Scott…born Jan. 18, 1994.

Bradley Pinion (6-5, 220, P) Northwest Cabarrus High School, Concord, NC Ranked as the top punter in the nation by 247Sports.com…rated as the #3 kicker in the nation by ESPN.com...#4 kicker in the nation by Rivals.com...#6 kicker in the nation by

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Scout.com...averaged 46.1 yards per punt as a senior at Northwest Cabarrus High School...first-team AllAmerican by ESPN.com... played in the U.S. Army All-American game and the Shrine Bowl...second-team All-American by USA Today, the first Clemson kicker signee to earn USA Today All-America honors since Chris Gardocki in 1988...averaged 40 yards per punt and had 17 punts inside the 20 as a junior...had 37 touchbacks in 50 kickoffs as a junior...helped his high school team to the state playoffs…also played soccer (goalkeeper) and basketball in high school…coached by Rich Williams at Northwest Cabarrus High School... enrolled at Clemson in January 2012…recruited

by Danny Pearman….born June 1, 1994.

D.J. Reader (6-3, 306, OG) Grimsley High School, Greensboro, NC Ranked as the #19 offensive guard in nation and #20 player in North Carolina…#20 offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com…#58 offensive guard in nation and #27 player in North Carolina by ESPN.com...#41 defensive lineman in the country and #8 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep…named SuperPrep All-American…recorded 50 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks from the defensive tackle position as a senior…plans to play both football and baseball at the collegiate level…batted .435 as junior on the diamond…coached by Damon Coiro at Grimsley High School…recruited by Robbie Caldwell…born July 1, 1994.

Cordrea Tankersley (6-1, 190, DB) Silver Bluff High School, Aiken, SC Ranked as the #37 wide receiver in the country by Scout.com, a four-star player by that service…#39 safety in the country by Rivals. com, lists him as a threestar player…#6 player in South Carolina and 25th best athlete by 247Sports. com…#41 athlete in the nation by ESPN.com, lists him as a three-star player…top10 player in South Carolina

by ESPN.com…#3 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep…named to ESPN RISE Channel 6 All-Area team…a member of the Augusta Chronicle All-Area team…played in the Shrine Bowl…selected for the Offense/Defense All-American game in Dallas, TX…on the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 40 tackles as a senior…on offense, rushed for 650 yards and five touchdowns and threw for 708 yards and

six touchdowns…coached by Al Lown at Silver Bluff High School…recruited by Charlie Harbison…born July 1, 1994.

Carlos Watkins (6-4, 275, DT) Chase High School, Forest City, NC Clemson’s top signee in this class according to 247Sports.com, he is ranked as 55th best overall player in the nation…also ranked as fourth best player in North Carolina and seventh best defensive lineman…ranked as #8 defensive tackle in the nation

by Rivals.com and Scout. com, list him as a four-star player…#12 defensive tackle in the nation by ESPN. com, a four-star player by that service…#5 player in North Carolina by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com…#104 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com and #134 overall player in the country by ESPN.com…#13 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep…recorded 15 sacks, an interception and forced five fumbles as a senior…recorded 50 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 14 sacks as a junior…played in the U.S. Army All-American game and the Shrine Bowl…coached by Daniel Bailey at Chase High School…attends same high school that sent the McSwain brothers (Rod and Chuck) to Clemson in the early 1980s, they were both on Clemson’s National Championship team of 1981…Chuck is current track coach at Chase High School… recruited by Dan Brooks….born Dec. 5, 1993.

Marty Williams (6-1, 200, DB) Fox Creek High School,North Augusta, SC Ranked as ninth best player in South Carolina and 24th best safety in the nation by 247Sports. com… #31 safety in the country by Scout. com…#42 athlete in the nation by ESPN.com…#47 athlete in the country by Rivals.com…top-10 player in South Carolina by Rivals. com…a three-star prospect by all three services…#13 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep…named All-Region High School Sports Report Offensive Player of the Year for Class A as a sophomore, junior and senior…named WJBF/ESPN RISE Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior…a first-team all-area selection by the Augusta Chronicle as a junior and senior…named Aiken Standard Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior… selected to play in the Shrine Bowl but was not able to play due to injury…accounted for 3,000 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns as a senior…coached by Russ Schneider at Fox Creek High School…recruited by Charlie Harbison… born Aug. 21, 1993.

— compiled by Davis Simpson

February 2012

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T From Walk-On to Coach of the Year Dabo Swinney’s Life has Been Full of Turnaround Stories, Success

by Will Vandervort

o understand how Dabo Swinney was able to turn the fortunes of the Clemson football program around and lead it to its first ACC Championship in 20 years, you first have to understand who Dabo Swinney really is and where he comes from.

“When he was about four years old, I saw there was something different and special about him,” said Carol McIntosh, Swinney’s mother.

Though she did not know it at the time, it was Swinney’s upbeat and positive outlook on life that helped her and her family through some difficult times.

“There has always been a spirit in him, and everybody that he has been around since he was a child has been touched. That spirit is very contagious,” McIntosh said.

Swinney’s positive spirit helped his mother through the tough times of her ex-husband’s battle with alcoholism, a divorce that ended 25 years of marriage and the rocky road of 10 years of struggles for her and her youngest son.

“He would lift me up. It was always like that,” McIntosh said. “He was always positive. He could always see the silver lining.”

That’s the way Swinney is. Last year, when Clemson was struggling through a turbulent 2010 season, which saw his Tigers lose five games by six points or less, he never wavered in his always “Believe” attitude.

“There is a saying, ‘A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the

At top: Dabo Swinney was the recipient of the 2011 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. Photo by Rex Brown February 2012

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turn.’ I love that. It defines life and football,” “You would’ve never known it,” said Jim “It was very embarrassing because I hid Swinney said. “Life is not some straight con- Phillips, who was part of the coaching at Pel- things from my friends. I was dating (my wife) tinuous road of success. There is a lot of failure ham High School in his hometown. “He al- Kathleen, who came from a very functional, along the way, but after each failure and after ways had a smile and still has one of the most normal family and mine was the exact oppoeach season there is opportunity for growth. positive attitudes of any person that I have ever site,” he said.

“We have to keep growing our program. We met.

Despite the distractions at home, he persehave to keep growing as coaches and players.

“What people see with Dabo, that’s who he vered and was an ‘A’ student and a member of That is my focus.” the National Honor Society. He also was a star really is, he is a real go-getter.”

His belief and focus to make Clemson a Swinney doesn’t think back and look at his athlete, lettering in three sports, including the champion again are just a few examples of why younger days as negatives. sport he loved more than any other – football.

Swinney was unanimously selected as the 2011 “Dabo was a guy you just loved being “That’s why I am who I am,” he said. “That’s Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year. The award my past. It allowed me to be the man that I around,” said Shane Phillips, childhood friend honors the coach of a team that enjoys great am.” and current Baldwin County, AL fire chief. success on the field, while also stressing the imBut he has never let it define who he is.

In“He was always upbeat and positive. It didn’t portance of academic excellence and character. stead, he watched and learned from his dad’s seem like he ever let anything get to him.”

On the field, Swinney guided the Tigers to mistakes.

Swinney describes his dad as a good Even when Swinney and his mother were their first ACC Championship since 1991, man who was a hard working father and husevicted from their home three months after while also leading Clemson to 10 wins in a band.

He owned his own business, where he leaving his father, Swinney did not get down or year for the first time since 1990. Clemson also sold and fixed household appliances. feel sorry for himself. won all seven of its home games, the first unblemished home record in 21 years, beat four At right: Swinney salutes the Tiger faithful ranked teams — the most for one season in after Clemson came back to defeat Maryland school history — and advanced to the Orange after trailing by 18 points in the second half.

Bowl for the first time in 30 years.

Off the field, the Clemson football program Below: Swinney’s 2011 team put together a has been honored by the American Football 10-win season for the first time since 1991.

Coaches Association for its 75 percent GradPhotos by Rex Brown uation Success Rate (GSR), one of the top figures nationally.

“It all starts with our players,” Swinney said.

“I can say and try everything I can to make them believe. But ultimately, it is their decision. They have to believe. I’m proud of all of them because they made a commitment a long time ago to make themselves better.

“They first had to believe in themselves before they could believe in me.”

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or a good bit of his life, Swinney had every reason not to believe in himself. But quitting has never been an option for Dabo Swinney. Instead, he finds the positives in a tough and difficult situation, which he uses as a driving mechanism to turn things around.

“I have always had a good attitude even when I probably shouldn’t have,” he said. “That’s just what I believe and that is just part of my spiritual foundation. I have always trusted God and knew He would have a plan.”

Swinney had no idea what that plan was as a teenager, while trying not to let anyone know what was going on at what he describes as a dysfunctional home.

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However, Ervil Swinney’s business started to falter, which in turn carried over to his personal life. With the stress of the business and trying to find ways to make ends meet, he turned to alcohol as a quick solution for his problems.

Thus began a tumultuous journey for a young Dabo Swinney.

“It was a very, very tough situation,” Swinney said. “He would be gone a lot. Then, we lost our house. He started to have financial problems.”

When Swinney was about 16 years old, McIntosh decided she had enough. Swinney, the youngest of three boys, joined his mother as they moved into a small townhome.

“To know Dabo, you would not think any of that was going on,” Phillips said. “He used everything that happened to him as a testimony instead of as an excuse.”

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winney says he was able to persevere due to his faith in God. Saved at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes rally and with the spiritual guidance of a young football coach by the name of Stewart Wiley, he hung in there and kept his goals ahead of him.

“I was playing three sports and trying to do the best I could” he said. “There were a lot of things going on in my life. God was working on me, and it was a very trying time for me.”

Swinney’s hard work paid off when he was accepted into the University of Alabama. Going to Alabama was a dream come true for the boy who grew up watching the Paul “Bear” Bryant Show every Sunday afternoon.

“I always worked to go to Alabama,” he said. “That was my first goal. I got Pell grants and student loans and that’s how I made it. I was going to be a doctor. I majored in biology and was going to make something of myself. I wanted a better life.”

Swinney moved to Tuscaloosa when he was 18 years old and though he was in school and loved the fact he was a student at the University of Alabama, something was missing in his life.

He missed playing football. While watching a game from the stands during his freshman year, he leaned over to his future wife and said, “I can do that.”

“The next week I went and met with the coaches, and of course they thought I was crazy,” he said.

Swinney was 160 pounds, but after talking with his high school coaches, Bill Curry and his staff decided to give him a shot and put him in a weight room program that he would have to complete in order to be eligible for spring practice.

Swinney was ready, and at the time made an impression on a young assistant coach by the name of Tommy Bowden, who was in charge of the wide receivers. Swinney was one of 47 who tried out as a walk-on that spring and before it was over, was one of only two that remained.

Bowden was so impressed he even played Swinney in the spring game and during a game that following season. Alabama went on to win the Southeastern Conference that year and Swinney joined the team in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. But soon another trial was ahead in his life and, like all the others, he faced it head on.

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oon after the Sugar Bowl, Curry was let go and Gene Stallings was hired as his replacement. Everyone Swinney had to prove himself to the year before was gone and now he was sent back to the scout team where he would have to prove himself all over again.

“They did not know me from Adam,” he said of Stallings’ first staff. “I had to start right back over. I was so frustrated because I didn’t play one snap in the spring game. I went from getting to play in a game to not even playing in the spring game. I was just a walk-on. I was right back at the bottom. I got very frustrated that spring, but I made up my mind that I was going to stick with it.

“I was doing very well in school and wanted to graduate from Alabama. I made a lot of good friends. I decided that I wasn’t going to quit.”

Swinney reacts following a touchdown in the Tigers’ ACC Championship win over Virginia Tech.

As always, Swinney worked his tail off to get the coaches to notice him, but he wasn’t having much luck until one October afternoon when his position coach, Woody McCorvey, called him over.

“Woody had never said my name since he had gotten there. It was literally like the day when I got this (Clemson) job,” Swinney said.

“I was sitting over there at a Tuesday practice with coach Bill Oliver as a scout team guy in the middle of the season. We weren’t having a good season, but they called me over.

“I swear to you that was the first time I had ever heard the guy call my name. Woody said, ‘Dab, I need somebody who can catch the football. I’m tired of this guy and I’m tired of all this. I know you will catch the football. I’m going to give you a chance today and if you do a good job, then you are playing on Saturday.’”

Swinney could hardly contain himself.

“I didn’t know if he was serious or what was going on. I was just trying to make the most of what I had,” Swinney recalled. “I went out there and had an unbelievable practice. All of a sudden everyone started cheering for me, and the next thing I know I’m in the first-team huddle standing next to Gary Hollingsworth and Devon Russell.

“They were all my heroes and here I was.

All of my buddies on the scout were thinking, ‘Do you see this?’ It was unbelievable. I never Photo by Rex Brown looked back.”

And like McCorvey promised, Swinney played that following Saturday and eventually earned a letter and ultimately a scholarship.

“When I went in later that week, I waited until everyone left and then I stole the travel squad list,” he said. “I had my name on that 70man roster and it is framed in my den downstairs today.

“I drove all the way home to Pelham and showed my brother. That was an emotional moment for me. I lettered as a junior and senior, played on special teams and had a good career.”

During that ride, Swinney married his high school sweetheart Kathleen, moved his mother into a nice apartment with the help of his inlaws, and became one of the up-and-coming young assistant coaches in college football.

Then came another one of those forks in the road where Swinney had to make another difficult choice. Mike Dubose, who had taken over for Stallings following the 1996 season, was fired following the 2000 season and Swinney, along with the rest of the staff, was not retained.

“It was a great run,” Swinney said. “I knew God still had a plan for me, but I didn’t know what.”

One day while he was cleaning out his office in December 2000, Swinney received a call from his old strength and conditioning coach, Rich Wingo. The two had not really spoken since Wingo left Alabama in 1990.

Wingo was the president of a major development company in Birmingham and asked Swinney to join his office and sell commercial real estate. At first Swinney thought it was a crazy idea because he didn’t know the first thing about commercial real estate, but then he warmed up to the idea and joined Wingo at AIG Baker in April 2001.

“I made more money than I had ever made in my life,” Swinney said. “I worked from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. I did my job and went home and got paid for it. I got a dose of the real world. It was a humbling experience.”

But there was something missing in Swinney’s world.

“I missed coaching football,” he said. “It was a good job, but I didn’t feel like I was making a difference with kids. I was coaching little league, teaching at clinics and going to speaking engagements, and I had my children, but I missed coaching.

“I had coached too long and had too much February 2012

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37

knowledge in my head. I was almost a coordinator when I was 30 years old, but I turned that job down to stay at Alabama. I still wanted to coach, but it would have to be at the right time and place. I prayed about the situation.”

S

hortly after, Bowden and Clemson called.

“He called to say he had a job open up and he wanted to know if I was interested.

I didn’t even know he had a job open, but I was definitely interested,” Swinney said.

Swinney flew to Clemson and immediately fell in love with it. The situation was ideal. But he also realized what he was walking away from – a secure job, a new home that they were two weeks away from moving into and of course family. Swinney had never lived outside the state of Alabama and he was about to take his children away from their grandparents to South Carolina.

“I had a lot of people telling me not to do it,” Swinney said. “I had people calling me up saying don’t take that job. They just got killed

by Texas Tech, recruiting was bad, there are no facilities. It wasn’t very good.”

But Swinney felt good about it. He helped Clemson to a 9-4 record that first season which ended with a win against No. 6 Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. Though he was starting over again, Swinney’s wide receivers became one of the more improved areas on the team.

As recruiting coordinator, he became one of

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Above: Swinney’s infectious energy made him a popular postgame interview throughout the 2011 season.

Photo by Mark McInnis

Right: Clemson claimed the 2011 ACC Championship, the school’s first conference crown in 20 years.

Photo by Dawson Powers

the nation’s best and soon was being courted by other schools. But Swinney stayed true to Clemson, and turned down job offers to return to Alabama and others as well.

When Swinney took over as interim coach following Bowden’s resignation in October 2008, his mother and former high school coach never doubted the interim tag would be removed from in front of his name.

“He has proven everyone wrong all his life,” Phillips said. “There were people who didn’t think he could walk on at Alabama, but he did it. There were people that thought he would never play, but he helped the team win a national championship.

“There were people who didn’t think he would be a coach, but he did and is one of the best. He has been proving people wrong all of his life – it didn’t surprise me at all.”

Since becoming the head coach at Clemson, Swinney has guided the Tigers to two ACC Atlantic Division titles and one ACC Championship in three years. Clemson’s appearance in the Orange Bowl was the program’s first in the

Bowl Championship Series since it was created in 1998.

It should come to no surprise that Swinney isn’t satisfied with one ACC Championship.

His goal is to take the Tigers to the next level – multiple ACC Championships, several BCS Bowl berths and another national championship.

“After three years, I have no doubt that we can become the dominant team that this conference has needed. That’s my vision. That’s what I believe and that is what we are going to work toward every day.

“Clemson football is back and we are not going anywhere.”

February 2012

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The Art of the Three-Point Shot

by William Qualkinbush photos by Rex Brown

The Art of 3-Point Shooting 1››› Use your legs Make sure your legs are together and bend properly to push off.

2››› Keep the elbows in When shooting a basketball keep the elbows in so the ball gets a good enough lift.

3››› follow through The hands and fingers should be fully extended so the ball is going in the exact direction you want it to go.

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K

elly Gramlich knows she cannot dunk a basketball. At 5-foot-10, no one would expect her to even make an attempt at it.

But Gramlich feels that she can impact a game in a similar fashion in spite of her physical limitations.

“In the guys’ game, the dunk is the momentumchanger,” she said. “In the girls’ game, I feel like it’s the three — especially if you hit a long one.”

The Tiger shooting guard has perfected the art of the three-point shot with a process that began with the Little Tikes hoop that she and her brother played with as children and has brought her to Clemson to continue to mold and perfect her craft.

Gramlich’s athleticism came from her parents, both of whom are decorated tennis players. In fact, her first exposure to the Atlantic Coast Conference came from her father, who played tennis at Duke University. Gramlich’s mother can be seen on home videos putting her daughter through tennis drills in the family’s driveway as a young child.

But despite her parents’ best efforts, Gramlich never felt a connection with tennis. Instead, the Texas native chose basketball and immediately found her niche as an outside shooter.

Gramlich says she has never been told not to shoot by coaches or teammates or instructed not to take shots from specific places on the floor, which could explain her ability to shoot the basketball from well behind the three-point line. She spent her summers going to camps to get important advice from an array of shooting experts. The knowledge she soaked up during those sessions and the tweaks her mentors suggested allowed her to continue to mature as a shooter.

As she progressed in her athletic career, Gramlich became a good enough ball-handler that she could play the role of a big point guard against other girls. But when the team dynamics changed around her, she always went straight to her forte — the Kelly Gramlich is a three-point shot.

“I played with guys in fifth freshman standout for the Tigers. and sixth grade,” Gramlich said.

“That was the one thing I could do better than them. I wasn’t taller or stronger than them, but I could shoot. By seventh or eighth grade, I started to realize that shooting was the thing that I could do best.”

Gramlich struggled to adjust to the college game for the first few games of this season. Just like any other freshman trying to learn the X’s and O’s while getting used to the speed of the game, her productivity suffered initially until things began to make sense and she gained a certain comfort level on the floor.

Comfort has never been difficult for Gramlich to attain, and her tireless work ethic shortened the learning curve for her this season. By the time the calendar changed to 2012, her jump shot was potent from anywhere on the floor and her ability to shoot from anywhere began to hurt her ACC opponents.

“I really don’t have a favorite spot at all,” she said with a smile. “My favorite spot is anywhere behind the line.”

Gramlich’s three-point percentage has steadily risen over the past several weeks, a testament to how much time and effort she has put into becoming a threat in her first season of collegiate basketball. Head Coach Itoro Coleman has seen her fair share of great shooters, from her days at Clemson to her WNBA career and now as a coach at the college level. When comparing Gramlich to other players, Coleman’s mind rested on one of her former teammates and a familiar name to Clemson women’s basketball fans.

Amy Geren is one of the greatest shooters in the history of the Clemson women’s basketball program. Coleman says Gramlich’s quick release and hard work away from the ball to get open are reminiscent of Geren, but she says there is another characteristic essential to perfecting a quality jump shot that connects the two in her mind.

“Kelly works at it. Amy worked at it,” Coleman said. “Kelly is in here before practice and she’s shooting. She stays after practice and she’s shooting. I think they are a lot alike, except Kelly may be a little faster than Amy. As far as work ethic and how hard they worked at shooting, they both put in a lot of time.”

In terms of her own jump shot, Gramlich has a specific list of things she considers essential — using the legs, following through and keeping the elbow in. The most important, she says, is the first.

At times this season, Gramlich has been on the floor for all but one or two minutes in games, and she is still expected to be able to shoot the ball down the stretch. The freshman guard says that an underrated part of good preparation is good conditioning.

“You can’t play a whole game and make an impact on the floor without being in shape,” she said. “Especially at the end of the game, when you’re shooting threes, you need your legs. Legs are definitely a big part of my shot.”

Gramlich prefers to catch and shoot the basketball, rather than creating shots off the dribble. This requires her to use her teammates’ screens in order to create space. She is already adept at using screens and can comfortably curl toward the basket, pop to the wing, or flare to the corner and get into a rhythm to shoot.

Even so, Coleman says that using screens is something that players can always improve. She notes that her young shooter sometimes gives the defense too much credit, thinking her opponent has more of an ability to block her shot than she actually does.

Given the established work ethic and attention to detail Gramlich possesses, such improvements should be expected over the course of the next three-plus years. Once she receives the ball, Gramlich’s approach is as simple as any other part of her process.

“I just yell for the ball and get ready with my hands,” she said. “My goal is to get it off as quickly as possible.”

However she gets it there, as long as the ball goes through the net more often than not, Lady Tiger basketball fans will enjoy watching Gramlich turn the science of shooting into an art form.

Gramlich is one of the top young shooters in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

February 2012

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41

2012 SEASON OUTLOOK | BASEBALL

by Brian Hennessy Richie Shaffer led the field return from the Tigers with a year ago. The Tigers 13 home runs must replace shortstop last season and Brad Miller, the 2011 is an All-America ACC Player-of-the-Year candidate in 2012. and a first-team AllPhoto by Rex Brown American, along with All-ACC players Will Lamb (CF) and Jeff Schaus (LF).

“In order for us to score runs, we’re going to have to be very good at execution,” stated Leggett. “We’re going to have to be able to move runners around, get our bunts down, hit behind runners, and everyone is going to have to be very unselfish. We have a few players who have some power, but at the same time, we don’t want to build our game to# Player Pos. B-T Hgt Wgt Cl. Hometown tally around that.”

1 Dominic Attanasio OF L-L 5-7 160 So. Windermere, FL The pitching staff 2 Jason Stolz INF R-R 6-2 205 Sr. Marietta, GA returns players who 3 Brad Felder OF L-L 6-0 200 *Gr. Bowman, SC contributed 64 per4 Thomas Brittle OF L-L 5-8 170 *Jr. Cross, SC cent of the innings 5 Joe Costigan OF L-R 5-11 200 So. Naples, FL pitched and 32 of the 6 Dominic Leone RHP R-R 5-11 195 Jr. Norwich, CT 43 victories in 2011.

8 Richie Shaffer 3B/1B R-R 6-3 205 Jr. Charlotte, NC “I think our pitch9 Phil Pohl C/1B/OF R-R 5-11 215 Sr. Cooperstown, NY 10 Mike Dunster INF L-R 5-10 180 So. Greenwich, CT ing is going to be one 12 Jon McGibbon 1B/OF L-L 6-1 210 So. Lindenhurst, NY of our strong points,” 13 Jay Baum INF R-R 5-11 180 Fr. Alpharetta, GA added Leggett. “We 15 Mike Kent RHP R-R 6-0 195 *So. Springfield, VA have some young 16 Jake Fletcher C R-R 5-11 175 So. Thomasville, GA players coming in 17 Steve Wilkerson 2B/SS S-R 6-1 185 So. Roswell, GA that are going to help 18 Tyler Slaton OF L-L 5-7 195 Fr. Cumming, GA us out. I’m excited 19 Kevin Brady RHP L-R 6-3 220 *Jr. Gaithersburg, MD about what we have 20 Scott Firth RHP R-R 6-0 165 Jr. Buffalo Grove, IL a chance to do on the 21 Kevin Pohle RHP R-R 6-3 180 So. Saint Louis, MO mound.”

22 Spencer Kieboom C R-R 6-0 220 Jr. Marietta, GA The schedule 23 Daniel Gossett RHP R-R 6-0 160 Fr. Lyman, SC features 35 home 26 Brock Goodling RHP R-R 6-0 195 Fr. Mount Union, PA games, 27 games 27 Kyle Bailey LHP R-L 6-5 220 Fr. Southlake, TX against 2011 NCAA 28 Jonathan Meyer RHP R-R 6-0 180 Jr. San Diego, CA Tournament teams, 29 David Haselden RHP R-R 6-4 240 Sr. Spartanburg, SC 30 Garrett Boulware C/OF R-R 6-1 200 Fr. Anderson, SC and two games at 32 Andrew Cleveland C R-R 5-11 180 Fr. Moore, SC Fluor Field in Green35 Mike Triller OF L-R 6-1 180 Fr. Rutland, VT ville, SC. Clemson, 36 Matt Campbell RHP R-R 5-11 185 So. Alpharetta, GA who is ranked in the 37 Kevin Caughman INF R-R 5-11 180 *So. Martinez, GA preseason as high as 42 Clay Bates RHP R-R 5-11 180 *Fr. Rock Hill, SC No. 16 in the nation 43 Patrick Andrews RHP R-R 6-2 205 Fr. Hilton Head Island, SC

by Baseball Ameri46 Trevor Kieboom RHP/INF R-R 6-4 225 Fr. Marietta, GA ca, will host Maine, 51 Joseph Moorefield LHP L-L 6-1 205 *Jr. Woodruff, SC Leggett’s alma mater, from February 24-26, Head Coach: (7) Jack Leggett which starts a 10Assistant Head Coach: (24) Dan Pepicelli game stretch where Assistant Coach: (11) Bradley LeCroy nine of the contest Volunteer Assistant Coach: (31) Michael Johnson are against teams Director of Baseball Operations: Brad Owens that played in the

Overview Jack Leggett, who is in his 19th season as head coach at Clemson, will rely on a veteran pitching staff and four returning starters in the field to lead the 2012 team. Leggett, whose 812 wins in 18 seasons at Clemson are sixthmost in the nation during that span, has led the Tigers to six College World Series appearances and 17 NCAA Tournaments.

“We have a great looking group of players this year,” said Leggett. “They’ve been working hard and I’m excited about seeing them as the season progresses. I’m also excited about seeing them work together as a unit.”

Only three of the eight position starters in

BASEBALL ROSTER

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Orange: The Experience

2011 NCAA Tourney. The top-eight teams in the ACC standings will play in the ACC Tournament at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, NC from May 23-27. It will be the second time the ACC Tournament is held in Greensboro.

Catchers Clemson has five catchers at its disposal. Junior Spencer Kieboom (Marietta, GA) was the Tigers’ predominant starter behind the plate in 2011 and is slated to do the same in 2012.

He was one of Clemson’s hottest hitters during the first half of 2011. Kieboom committed just two errors and allowed only three passed balls in 2011.

Senior co-captain Phil Pohl (Cooperstown, NY) also has a wealth of experience behind the plate, but he is a leading candidate to be the designated hitter. One of the best leaders at Clemson in years, Pohl emerged as a Second-Team All-ACC player in 2011. Pohl batted .333 with 22 doubles, third-most in the ACC, four homers, and 33 RBIs. The two-time captain also became Clemson’s first Academic All-American since 1995.

Sophomore Jake Fletcher (Thomasville, GA) and freshman Andrew Cleveland (Moore, SC) will provide depth behind the plate. Fletcher played only four games, all off the bench, with six putouts in 2011. Cleveland was an all-region selection as a junior and senior at James F. Byrnes High School.

Freshman Garrett Boulware (Anderson, SC) will compete for innings behind the plate as well. The local product out of T.L. Hanna High School was rated as the No. 141 prospect in the nation by Perfect Game and was drafted in the 42nd round by the San Diego Padres.

Kevin Brady had 33 strikeouts and only one walk in 2011, despite an injury that cost him a large portion of the season.

Sophomore Mike Dunster (Greenwich, CT) made the most of his limited opportunities in 2011, as he was 6-for-12 with a .625 onbase percentage in 12 Photo by Rex Brown games (one start). He will compete for the starting role at second base.

A fourth sophomore will be in the mix in the infield. Kevin Caughman (Martinez, GA) has played 13 games off the bench in two active seasons. He is also one of the team’s top students in the classroom as a financial management major. Freshman Jay Baum (Alpharetta, Infielders Clemson’s 2012 infield will have a “mirrored” GA), rated as the No. 218 player in the nation by look. Miller (SS) and John Hinson (3B) were Perfect Game out of Centennial High School, draft picks in 2011 and are no longer with the will also compete for innings in the infield. program, and last year’s right side of the infield Outfielders will be this season’s left side.

Six outfielders, four of which are in their first Junior co-captain Richie Shaffer (Charlotte, NC) leads the infield with his power-hitting active seasons in a Tiger uniform, will compete bat and steady defense. A career .318 hitter for the three outfield spots. Clemson lost all with 20 homers, 91 RBIs, and a .426 on-base three starters (Schaus, Lamb and Chris Epps) percentage, Shaffer is a preseason second- in the outfield from a season ago.

The two returnees in the outfield are sophteam All-America selection by Perfect Game.

He was a First-Team All-ACC first-baseman in omores Dominic Attanasio (Windermere, FL) 2011, but is slated in 2012 to make the move and Joe Costigan (Naples, FL). The 5-foot-7 Atto third base, where he started six games as tanasio is a slap hitter and speedy baserunner a sophomore. Shaffer led or tied for the 2011 who batted .367 in 33 games (10 starts) as a team lead in, runs (62), homers (13), RBIs (55), freshman in 2011.

Costigan was 2-for-8 with a .571 on-base slugging percentage (.577), and walks (44).

The Cape Cod League All-Star also won the percentage in 14 games, all off the bench, as a freshman in 2011. He was rated as the No. home run derby at Fenway Park.

Senior co-captain Jason Stolz (Marietta, GA) 36 player in the 2011 Coastal Plain League by is the other returning starting infielder from a Perfect Game.

Junior Thomas Brittle (Cross, SC) sat out the season ago. He started 48 games at second base and 14 games at shortstop in 2011, but 2011 season after transferring from College he is slated to move into the starting short- of Charleston, where he hit .273 with 16 stostop spot with the departure of Miller. The len bases in 76 games (15 starts) in 2009 and career .283 hitter in 155 games (127 starts) has 2010. He is one of the fastest players on the 18 sacrifice bunts and has had several clutch team and is a leading candidate to start in cenhits in the bottom half of the lineup the past terfield.

Another veteran player who transferred three seasons.

Sophomore Jon McGibbon (Lindenhurst, from a school in the Lowcountry will make an NY) is a leading candidate to be the everyday impact in the outfield. Graduate Brad Felder starter at first base and has experience in right (Bowman, SC) played at The Citadel in 2008, field. He batted .339 with one homer, 14 RBIs, 2010 and 2011. He batted .252 with 18 homand a .463 on-base percentage in 43 games ers, 68 RBIs, and 36 steals in 151 games (136 (11 starts) in 2011. He was noted in 2011 for starts) with the Bulldogs. He is a strong canhis ability as a pinch-hitter, as he was an in- didate to start in right field in his one and only credible 10-for-17 (.588) in that situation and season at Clemson.

14-for-27 (.519) off the bench.

Freshmen Tyler Slaton (Cumming, GA) and Sophomore Steve Wilkerson (Roswell, GA) is Mike Triller (Rutland, VT) will compete for a a talented middle infielder who will compete starting job in the outfield. Slaton was a threefor the starting job at second base. He hopes time all-region selection at North Forsyth to rebound from a tough freshman season at High School, while Triller played in the Verthe plate. Clemson’s first switch-hitter since mont North-South All-Star game after hitting Patrick Boyd (1998-01), Wilkerson played 42 a team-best .528 as a senior. Triller also won games and made 12 starts at second base in the Omaha Challenge competition among 2011. fielders in the fall.

Pitchers The pitching staff figures to be the strength of the 2012 team. Several Tigers have been Friday starters during one point of their careers.

One of those Tigers who is slated to headline the rotation is junior righthander Kevin Brady (Gaithersburg, MD). Despite suffering an injury that cost him most of his 2011 season, Brady was still 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 33 strikeouts against only one walk in 23.1 innings pitched. An arm injury forced him out of action for 71 days. The hard thrower was drafted in the 17th round by the Cleveland Indians last summer, but elected to return for his junior season, where he is listed as the No. 41 prospect in the nation for the 2012 draft by Baseball America.

Phil Pohl is a co-captain this season and was second-team AllACC last year as a utility player.

Another leading contender for a weekend spot is junior righty Dominic Leone (Norwich, CT). The coPhoto by Rex Brown captain is a competitive pitcher who has a 9-4 record and 4.21 ERA in 37 appearances (22 starts) in his career. After recovering from an early-season injury, he was 6-2 with a 3.70 ERA and a team-high 72 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched in 2011.

Junior righthander Jonathan Meyer (San Diego, CA) has experience as both a starter and reliever in a Tiger uniform. In 2011, he moved into the weekend rotation in the second half of the season and excelled. He was 5-2 with a 3.31 ERA and .221 opponents’ batting average in 23 appearances (seven starts) as a sophomore.

David Haselden (Spartanburg, SC), like Meyer, has a plethora of experience as both a starter and reliever. The senior righthander is one of the top control hurlers in Tiger history. In 54 appearances (seven starts) in his career, he has an 11-5 record, five saves and a 3.26 ERA along with a 3.36 strikeout-to-walk ratio and February 2012

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Day Opponent

2-17 Fri. UAB 2-18 Sat. UAB 2-19 Sun. UAB 2-24 Fri. Maine 2-25 Sat. Maine 2-26 Sun. Maine 3-2 Fri. South Carolina 3-3 Sat. at South Carolina 3-4 Sun. South Carolina 3-7 Wed. Holy Cross 3-9 Fri. * North Carolina 3-10 Sat. * North Carolina 3-11 Sun. * North Carolina 3-14 Wed. at Western Carolina 3-16 Fri. * Boston College 3-17 Sat. * Boston College 3-18 Sun. * Boston College 3-20 Tue. Elon 3-21 Wed. Elon 3-23 Fri. * at Virginia 3-24 Sat. * at Virginia 3-25 Sun. * at Virginia 3-27 Tue. at Georgia 3-28 Wed. Presbyterian College 3-30 Fri. * Miami (FL) 3-31 Sat. * Miami (FL) 4-1 Sun. * Miami (FL) 4-3 Tue. Winthrop 4-4 Wed. Western Carolina 4-6 Fri. * at Duke 4-7 Sat. * at Duke 4-8 Sun. * at Duke 4-10 Tue. Furman 4-11 Wed. Georgia 4-13 Fri. * N.C. State 4-14 Sat. * N.C. State 4-15 Sun. * N.C. State 4-17 Tue. Charleston Southern 4-20 Fri. * at Maryland 4-21 Sat. * at Maryland 4-22 Sun. * at Maryland 4-24 Tue. Coastal Carolina 4-27 Fri. * at Georgia Tech 4-28 Sat. * at Georgia Tech 4-29 Sun. * at Georgia Tech 5-5 Sat. College of Charleston 5-6 Sun. College of Charleston 5-7 Mon. College of Charleston 5-8 Tue. Tennessee Tech 5-12 Sat. * Florida State 5-13 Sun. * Florida State 5-14 Mon. * Florida State 5-15 Tue. Furman 5-17 Thu. * at Wake Forest 5-18 Fri. * at Wake Forest 5-19 Sat. * at Wake Forest 5-23 to 5-27 + ACC Tournament 6-1 to 6-4 $ NCAA Regionals 6-8 to 6-11 $ NCAA Super Regionals 6-16 to 6-27 $ College World Series

Site Time Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Charleston, SC Columbia, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Cullowhee, NC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC ^Greenville, SC Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville, VA Athens, GA Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Durham, NC Durham, NC Durham, NC ^Greenville, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC College Park, MD College Park, MD College Park, MD Clemson, SC Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Winston-Salem, NC Winston-Salem, NC Winston-Salem, NC Greensboro, NC TBA TBA Omaha, NE

4:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM 2:00 PM 6:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM 6:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 4:00 PM 12:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 3:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM TBA TBA TBA TBA

* - ACC regular season game; ^ - Fluor Field; + - ACC Tournament; $ - NCAA Tournament; Note: Home games in bold; all times are PM and Eastern.

44

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Orange: The Experience

BASEBALL SCHEDULE

Date

1.86 walks-per-nine-innings-pitched mark. Those last two figures are sixth and second, respectively, in Tiger history.

Junior righty Scott Firth (Buffalo Grove, IL) is a strong candidate for a weekend spot in the rotation. He has a 7-2 record and 3.27 ERA in 82.2 innings pitched in his career. Firth, who is the No. 72 player in the nation according to College Baseball Daily, had a 5-1 record and 3.06 ERA in 16 outings (seven starts) in 2011.

Sophomore righthander Kevin Pohle (Saint Louis, MO) was Clemson’s top freshman pitcher in 2011, when he was a reliever and spot starter. He was a freshman All-American by NCBWA when he had a 5-2 record and a team-best 1.93 ERA in 17 appearances (three starts). After a limited role in his first two seasons, junior lefthander Joseph Moorefield (Woodruff, SC) will be called upon to provide valuable innings in 2012 as one of only two lefthanders on the staff. The hard thrower was drafted in the 26th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2011 after pitching 20.0 combined innings in his first two seasons at Clemson.

Another hard-throwing pitcher is sophomore righty Matt Campbell (Alpharetta, GA), who will be counted on as one of the top pitchers out of the bullpen in 2011. He had a 1-0 record, two saves, a 3.09 ERA and .154 opponents’ batting average in 16 relief appearances as a freshman.

Sophomore righthander Mike Kent (Springfield, VA), who will provide depth in the bullpen, received a medical red-shirt in 2011 after suffering a season-ending injury. He has a 1-1 record and .262 opponents’ batting average in seven appearances (two starts) in his career.

Six freshmen will add to Clemson’s already deep pitching Spencer Kieboom staff. Clay Bates (Rock Hill, SC) red-shirted is a co-captain and in 2011 after a standout career at Northone of the ACC’s western High School. Bates has won the best defensive Omaha Challenge competition among catchers. pitchers in both seasons at Clemson and Photo by Rex Brown will compete for innings out of the bullpen in 2012. Kyle Bailey (Southlake, TX) joins Moorefield as the only lefties on the staff after a being an all-state pitcher at Carroll Senior High School.

Daniel Gossett (Lyman, SC) and Brock Goodling (Mount Union, PA) are two freshman righties who have the ability to be a factor in 2012. Gossett was the No. 127 player in the nation by Perfect Game out of James F. Byrnes High School and was drafted in the 16th round by the Boston Red Sox. Goodling was the No. 337 player in the nation by Perfect Game and was a two-time all-state selection at Mount Union High School.

Two other freshman righthanders will compete for innings out of the bullpen in 2012. Patrick Andrews (Hilton Head Island, SC) was the No. 153 player in the nation by Perfect Game after being named SCISA Player-of-the-Year as a senior at Hilton Head Prep School. Trevor Kieboom (Marietta, GA), brother of Clemson junior catcher Spencer Kieboom, lettered three times at Walton High School and has the ability to play in the infield in 2012.

Do you have

Oconee Physician Practices

Oconee Physician Practices

welcomes Daniel Boxwell, DO (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist) Dr. Boxwell graduated with

honors and a double Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Boxwell went on to complete an internship and residency in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at POH Regional Medical Center, a medical facility of Michigan State University. Prior to his arrival in Seneca, Dr. Boxwell practiced otolaryngology in Toledo, Ohio.

In addition to general adult and pediatric otolaryngology (ENT), Dr. Boxwell specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of a wide variety of conditions including hearing loss and ear diseases, sleep apnea, chronic strep throat, ear infections, allergy treatment and parathyroid disorders.

Dr. Boxwell is accepting new patients.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call (864) 482-3122.

105 Carter Park Drive • Suite B • Seneca, SC 29672 • (864) 482-3122 February 2012

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45

2012 SEASON OUTLOOK | GOLF

by Tim Bourret year he has been the head coach (since 1984). “I was pleased with the way the freshmen picked up the slack.

“We played a tough schedule in the fall and I am glad we did because it will prepare us for the spring. We finished in the top five in three of the four tournaments, including the Jerry Pate, where we were second against a very good field.”

Clemson already has wins over ranked teams Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Southern Cal, Tennessee and others.

“I am anxious to see what we can do once we get Crawford back in the lineup.”

Reeves had to sit out the fall schedule due to a back ailment, but he is expected to be ready to go in the spring.

The native of Greenville had a 73.06 stroke average last year, second-best on the team by just two total strokes over the academic year. He actually had the best average on the team for the spring half of the schedule, and finished first among Clemson golfers in three of the last six tournaments, including the NCAA Regional at Erie, CO. “Crawford is one of the best players in the country,” Penley said. “He showed that last spring when he had top-16 individual finishes in six straight tournaments and was our best player at the NCAA regional.

“He is also one of our team leaders. If he can come back healthy this spring we can get to the match play at the NCAA Tournament, and anything can happen from there. He can take a lot of the burden off Corbin Mills.”

The most renowned player on the 2012 Name Hgt. Wgt. Class Hometown team is Mills, the deStephen Behr 5-10 155 Fr. Florence, SC fending U.S. Public Alex Boyd 5-9 160 *Sr. Augusta, GA Links Champion. Mills Brewer Bradshaw 5-8 150 *Jr. Columbia, SC had a solid sophomore Thomas Bradshaw 5-9 160 So. Columbia, SC year when he led the Jacob Burger 5-11 140 Sr. Orangeburg, SC team in stroke averDavid Dannelly 5-10 170 *Sr. Easley, SC age at 73.00 and had McCuen Elmore 6-0 165 *Sr. Cheraw, SC a team-best four topHayden Garrett 6-3 160 Fr. Easley, SC 10 finishes, including a Billy Kennerly 5-11 160 Fr. Alpharetta, GA 10th-place effort at the Corbin Mills 6-3 220 Jr. Easley, SC Augusta State InvitaMike Muscatell 6-3 285 *Jr. Lake Wylie, SC tional and a sixth-place Crawford Reeves 5-9 150 *Jr. Greenville, SC showing at the ACC Tournament.

Head Coach: Larry Penley Assistant Coach: Jordan Byrd He then jumped on Note: *red-shirted the national scene in the summer of 2011

No Clemson athlete has lettered in golf and football in the same year since the 1950s, and there hasn’t been a common denominator on the two sports coaching staffs since Whitey Jordan was an assistant football coach in the fall and coached the golf team in the spring from 1963-68.

But, there has been a consistent relationship between the two programs over the last eight years. Each of the last four falls that the Clemson football team has finished the year with a top-25 national ranking, the Tiger golf team has followed that with a top-20 final ranking, including two top-10 finishes.

That oddity is just one of the reasons for optimism around the Clemson golf team for the spring of 2012, because Dabo Swinney’s football team had its best season in 20 years in the fall of 2011 with an ACC Championship and top-20 final ranking.

Can Larry Penley’s Tiger golf team keep up the pace this spring?

Based on the performance this past fall, the Tigers are on pace to follow suit. Despite missing one of the team’s best players for the fall season, the Tigers enter the spring with a No. 15 national ranking, the same ranking the football team had in the final BCS poll.

Penley’s team had a 33-14-1 record against a national schedule that included competition against 11 of the top-25 teams in the nation.

“We had a good fall, especially when you consider Crawford Reeves, our second-best player last year in terms of stroke average, did not hit a single shot,” said Penley, who has taken the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament every

MEN’S GOLF ROSTER

46

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Orange: The Experience

Corbin Mills is by winning the Pubone of the top lic Links in dramatic returning players fashion. He followed in the nation after that up with a victory winning the U.S. at the Players Amateur Public Links and as well. He was under Players Amateur strong consideration last summer. for the Walker Cup by Photo by Richard Shiro the end of the summer.

“Corbin has had an outstanding last six months,” Penley said. “When you look at his list of accomplishments, it is close to being unprecedented here. He has the talent to dominate, and he showed that this past summer.”

Mills followed up the summer with a strong fall that included a personal victory at the Jerry Pate Invitational in October with a 201 score, a total that tied for the lowest 54-hole score in Clemson history. He had four consecutive rounds in the 60s to tie another Clemson record, including a career-best 65 in the opening round at the Jerry Pate. He had the low round of the day among Tigers in eight of Clemson’s 12 team rounds this past fall. He has qualified for the 2012 Masters and the Heritage on the PGA Tour.

Jacob Burger is the most experienced player on the team. The senior from Orangeburg, SC is a veteran of 27 tournaments and 80 rounds entering the spring. He is a consistent golfer with 61 career rounds at 75 or better, and his score has counted in 69 career rounds, one of the top-15 counting percentages in Clemson history.

Last year, Burger was third on the team in stroke average with a 73.23 figure, but had just seven more strokes in the same amount of rounds as team leader Mills. Burger had 14 rounds at par or better to tie for the team lead.

He had top-10 finishes at the Carpet Classic, when his performance included a career-best 65 in the second round, and at the Furman Invitational where he finished sixth to help Clemson to the team victory.

Burger has qualified for the U.S. Amateur three times in his career, including each of the last two years, and has won at least one match at the North-South Amateur each of the last three years.

“Jacob has been Mr. Counter over his career,” Penley said. “We are looking for him to continue that in the spring when we will depend on his experience “ McCuen Elmore was fourth on the team in scoring average last year with a 74.06 figure, but he was second among Tigers this past fall with a strong 72.33 figure for 12 rounds. He

FBItickets2011.indd 5

Crawford Reeves had a lot to do was Clemson’s with Clemson’s top finisher at the top-15 ranking NCAA Regional on Christmas last spring.

Day. Photo by Richard Shiro “We needed someone to step up with Crawford’s injury and McCuen was one of the players to do it,” Penley said. “His score counted 11 of the 12 rounds and he showed an ability to take it low with a 68 at the U.S. Collegiate in the second round. He was our best golfer in two of the four tournaments against strong fields. He is ready for a strong final spring and we need him.”

Elmore started the fall with an eighthplace finish at the Carpet Classic thanks to a career best three-under-par 213 score. He had all three of his rounds at par or better for the first time in his career. He tied Mills as Clemson’s best performer at the U.S. Collegiate with a 215 score.

Thomas Bradshaw is a returning letterman who had a strong finish to his freshman year. The native of Columbia, SC was to be red-shirted last year, but Penley decided to activate the rookie in the spring and he responded well. In his second career tournament, he shot a final round 64 to lead Clem-

son to a come-from-behind win at the Furman Invitational.

He finished third overall at the event and the 64 tied the school record for the lowest final round. He started the rest of the year and gained outstanding experience. He played in three of the four tournaments this past fall

6/27/2011 Februa r y 2 9:06:26 0 1 2 AM ❘ 47

and had a 76.0 average.

The 2011 Tiger football team featured the play of National Freshman-of-the-Year and First-Team Associated Press All-American Sammy Watkins. Penley doesn’t have a rookie with corresponding ability on the golf course (we aren’t sure anyone does), but the 28thyear Clemson coach does have two freshmen who made a big impact this past fall by striking balls down the middle of the fairway while Watkins was streaking through the middle of enemy defenses in Death Valley.

Billy Kennerly is a true freshman from Alpharetta, GA who played in all four tournaments this past fall. He was third behind Mills and Elmore in stroke average with a 73.67 average, including two rounds in the 60s and five rounds at par or better. The two-time AJGA All-American showed his ability when he fired a second round 70 at the Carpet Classic, then had a 69 in the final round at the Jerry Pate Intercollegiate to help the Tigers make a run at a victory. His 69 at the Bank of Tennessee tied for the best of the day and his 15thplace finish was the best among Clemson golfers.

Classmate Hayden Garrett also showed his capabilities with a couple of solid performances in the fall. He had a 30th-place finish

at the Bank of TenJacob Burger is a consistent score nessee to tie for third counter for Larry among Clemson golfPenley’s team. ers, and his 143 toPhoto

by Richard Shiro tal over the last two rounds tied for the best on the team. Garrett’s score counted in all six rounds he played last fall.

“The freshmen were really a great shot in the arm for us this past fall,” Penley said. “Hayden and Billy have the mentality to compete and succeed at the highest level. We saw that this past fall when they both made big contributions in tournaments against national competition.”

Penley played just six golfers this past fall, but that number will grow in the spring depending on Reeves’ health and the advancement of some other players, four Thomas Bradshaw finished third at the 2011 Furman Invitational, his second career tournament.

Photo by Richard Shiro

Course

City

Sept. 9-11 Oct. 3-4 Oct. 14-16 Oct. 23-25 Feb. 19-21 Mar. 5-6 Mar. 16-18 Mar. 31-Apr. 1 Apr. 9-10 Apr. 20-22 May 17-19 May 29-Jun. 3

The Farm Old Overton Club The Ridges Golf Club of Georgia Rio Mar Country Club Palmetto Furman University Forest Hills The Woodlands Old North State TBA Riviera

Dalton, GA Birmingham, AL Johnson City, TN Atlanta, GA Rio Mar, Puerto Rico Aiken, SC Greenville, SC Augusta, GA Houston, TX Uwharrie Point, NC TBA Pacific Palisades, CA

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Carpet Capital Classic Jerry Pate Invitational The Ridges U.S. Collegiate Westin Rio Mar Classic USCA Cleveland Classic Furman Invitational Augusta State Invitational Woodlands Invitational ACC Tournament NCAA Regional NCAA National

Orange: The Experience

GOLF SCHEDULE

Date Tournament

of whom are returning lettermen.

Alex Boyd had a 74.22 stroke average last year over three tournaments (nine rounds), and the senior is a veteran of eight tournaments overall. He had a 15th-place finish at Furman when he played as an individual and shot a 69 in the opening round of the Augusta State Invitational when he scored the first double eagle in Clemson golf history.

Brewer Bradshaw, older brother of Thomas, played in two events last year. He has battled injuries on and off over his career, but the fourth-year junior is hoping to play consistently as he did over the final two rounds at The Brickyard last year when he had rounds of 70-71 to close with a top-25 finish.

Mike Muscatell and David Dannelly are two experienced players who hope to see some playing time. Dannelly started during the fall of 2010 and had a 67 in his first career round at the Carpet Classic when he finished 15th individually. Muscatell has played in three tournaments over his career.

A third freshman on the roster is the talented Stephen Behr, who sat out the fall and could red-shirt, but he could join the lineup as well.

“Stephen was among our best players from late October to the end of the first semester,” Penley said.

Behr was a second-team AJGA All-American as a high school player and is an outstanding student. Behr and Garrett both had 4.0 GPAs in the classroom in the fall.

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February 2012

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49

2012 SEASON OUTLOOK | ROWING

by Chandler Carver The Clemson rowing team is coming off yet another successful year, as they finished the 2010-11 season with a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Championships. It was the fourth straight season that the rowing team was selected to compete in the NCAA Championships, and the Tigers are hoping to carry that success into the 2012 spring season.

“Our team is really energetic this year,” said Head Coach Robbie Tenenbaum. “We’re really fired up about this racing season. Everyone is training with the mindset that they want to be the best they can be. In a sport where you can’t control what the other team does, it’s hard to say ‘We’re going to do this,’ but I think that everyone knows that they’re going to be able to go out and give their very best.”

The 2012 season will bring more change to the Clemson rowing program. During the off-

season, Tenenbaum added former Columbia University head coach Melanie Onufrieff to the coaching staff, as well as the addition of former Tiger rowing great Michelle Nance as a graduate assistant.

The Tigers also have to deal with the loss of a senior class that included All-ACC selection Liz Robb, Grace Wolff and Sarah Daanen, all from the 2011 ACC Crew-of-the-Year, the First Varsity 8+. However, Tenenbaum feels that the Tigers are prepared to fill those spots and have a successful season.

“It’s a little early to know exactly who will replace the girls in the Varsity 8+,”Tenenbaum said. “Freshman Sam Duggan is doing a great job and was in the top boat in the fall. Senior Kate Biladeau was in the Second Varsity 8+ last year and has stepped up and done a great job. Freshmen Julia Ost, Aurelia Wurzel and Gi-

ROWING ROSTER

50

Name

Class Hometown

Name

Class Hometown

Kristen Agee Ariana Alexandrescu Stephannie Allen Ameerah Aly Kathryn Andreoli Laura Basadonna Kate Biladeau Taylor Blanton Becca Brown Kristina Brown Katie Bruggeling Aylie Burnette Brittany Burns Stephanie Cameron Charlotte Case Rebekah Clogston Heather Cummings Laura D’Urso Alana de Klerk Kenzie DuBrul Samantha Duggan Sarah Egan Vanesa Ewais Virginia Fritsche Maria Jose Gutierrez Laura Haselden Danielle Hayden Kyndal Heller Marissa Henry Taylor Hoynacki Lindsey Hughes Kelsey Igo MJ Keys Sarah Koering

SR. FR. FR. JR. FR. SO. SR. FR. SR. FR. JR. FR. SR. SO. FR. SR. JR. SO. FR. SR. FR. SO. JR. FR. SO. FR. FR. FR. SR. SR. FR. SO. SO. FR.

Jackie Kovach Eden Kuhn Giulia Longatti Kristin Manna Emily Massey Elise McVey Sarah Monn Cristina Morcom Katie Mosier Julia Ost Kerianne Pacheco Paige Pribonic Kendra Prosser Bre Przestrzelski Carissa Richardson Lindsay Rivoir Marie Rosasco Kelsie Saurber Kathleen Scibelli April Serieno Mary Ann Sims Meghan Sisk Lucy Steer Tori Sullivan Caroline Thomas Makenzie Thomas Jenny Tumas Alex Wall Kathryn Wiley Aurelia Wurzel Sarah Young

SO. FR. FR. JR. JR. FR. JR. FR. SR. FR. FR. FR. FR. SR. FR. FR. SO. FR. SO. FR. FR. SO. FR. FR. JR. FR. SO. FR. SO. FR. SR.

❘

Bluffton, SC Salem, SC Orlando, FL Longwood, FL Shrewsbury, MA Torino, Italy Lutz, FL Aiken, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC St. Catharine’s, Ontario Rock Hill, SC Davidson, NC Alexandria, VA Newton, NJ Snohomish, WA Virginia Beach, VA Dunross, Culdaff, Ireland Greenville, SC Cincinnati, OH Christchurch, New Zealand Gold River, CA Jacksonville, FL Clifton, VA Lima, Peru Spartanburg, SC Severna Park, MD Shrewsbury, MA Hampton Falls, NH Tega Cay, SC Seneca, SC Frederick, MD Christchurch, New Zealand Vineland, NJ

Orange: The Experience

Wyomissing, PA Gaithersburg, MD Como, Italy Mullica Hill, NJ Quincy, FL Duncan, SC Skillman, NJ West Palm Beach, FL Piscataway, NJ Hannover, Germany Oakland, NJ Hudson, WI Columbia, NJ Swannanoa, NC St. Catharine’s, Ontario Sewickly, PA Baltimore, MD Trenton, OH Walkersville, MD Simpsonville, SC Norcross, GA Richmond, VA Nashua, NH Sumter, SC Cheraw, SC Harrison, OH Los Alamos, NM Elon, NC The Woodlands, TX Blevio, Como, Italy Winnsboro, NC

Head Coach: Robbie Tenenbaum Assistant Coaches: Melanie Onufrieff, Jessica Leidecker

ulia Longatti have all Robbie Tenenbaum returns for his come in and made an second season immediate impact on as head coach of the team. There are a the Tiger rowing number of people program. that can fill those Photo by Rex Brown slots. It’s encouraging to me to know that we have so many people who are fighting for those spots.”

Yet another solid senior class will lead the Tigers this season. This group has been to the NCAA Championships each year that they have competed at Clemson, only the second class ever to do so. This year’s cocaptain Becca Brown looks to build upon last year’s success as a team captain, as well as providing experience in the Varsity 8+.

Kate Biladeau has also proven herself in this off-season to be a leader for the Tigers.

Co-captain Taylor Hoynacki will add to the Tigers’ depth, along with returners Kristen Agee, Brittany Burns, Rebekah Clogston, Kenzie DuBrul, Marissa Henry, Katie Mosier, Bre Przestrzelski and Sarah Young.

The Tigers return a talented group of juniors, including Heather Cummings and Katie Bruggeling, members of the 2011 ACC Crew-of-the-Year, the Varsity 8+. Fellow juniors Ameerah Aly, Vanesa Ewais, Kristin Manna, Emily Massey, Sarah Monn and Caroline Thomas will be valuable assets to the team this season.

The sophomore class is arguably the most talented class on the team this season, returning 14 student-athletes including two All-ACC selections. Team co-captain Laura D’Urso, a 2011 All-America, All-Region and All-ACC rower, returns to the Crew-of-theYear, along with All-ACC selection Laura Basadonna and fellow sophomore Stephanie Cameron. Other sophomores that are expected to compete for spots on the var-

Clemson has competed at each of the last three NCAA Rowing Championships as a team. Photo by Annemarie Jacques

sity squads are Sarah Egan, Maria Jose Gutierrez, MJ Keys, Jackie Kovach, Marie Rosasco, Meghan Sisk, Jenny Tumas and Kathryn Wiley.

“It’s fantastic to be able to have someone like Laura D’Urso back for another year,” said Tenenbaum.“She’s a natural leader. She’s proven that she can be incredibly competitive as a young student-athlete. Her leadership helps us every day. She was the stroke of our Varsity 8+ last year as a freshman, and she’s working hard to hold that seat down again this year. It’s incredibly valuable to have someone like that on your team. I’m glad she’s on our team and not someone else’s.”

The Tigers have added 34 freshmen to this year’s roster, including five international students, which Tenenbaum says is very exciting.

“We have a really young group this year,” he said. “In the first and second eight, we might only have three seniors this year. We are going to have a lot of freshmen in that group, which is exciting.”

Tenenbaum also says that the leadership of this year’s team is widespread, something that is important in a team sport.

“Our captains, Becca Brown,Taylor Hoynacki and Laura D’Urso, do a great job of leading our team,” he said. “Some of the other girls have also stepped up and set a great example for the rest of the team. Laura Basadonna, Kate Biladeau and Julia Ost are always in here doing extra workouts and encouraging others to do

Mar. 3 Mar. 10 Mar. 17 Mar. 24 Mar. 31-Apr. 1 Apr. 14-15 Apr. 21 Apr. 28 May 25-27

Eastern Michigan Northeastern/Temple Boston/Indiana/Iowa/Marist/Purdue/Syracuse Kansas San Diego Crew Classic Cornell/Michigan State/Northeastern/Notre Dame ACC Championships Michigan/Ohio State NCAA Championships

ROWING SCHEDULE

Date Opponent/Regatta

extra workouts. They’re always doing a little extra to get better.”

Clemson has an exciting schedule lined up for the spring season that features competitions with some of the top teams in the country. The Tigers also play host to the ACC Championships for the third straight year on April 21. This will be the 10th season that the conference regatta has been held at Clemson.

“The ACC Championships being in Clemson is great for us,” Tenenbaum said.

“The bottom line is when you’re racing someone, everyone is in the same environment at that point.

However, it’s a more comfortable event for us when we have it here, and it’s really special to have all of our friends, family and fans here.

I’m not sure you get a ‘home-court advantage’ like you do in an indoor sport like basketball, but it is really special that we get to host the championship. We have the premiere rowing venue in the conference so we get to host it almost every year, which is fantastic.”

The Tigers begin the spring season with four straight home regattas, starting on March 3 against Eastern Michigan. Clemson then hosts Northeastern and Temple on March 10, followed by the first seventeam regatta of the year on Location Time March 17, feaClemson, SC 9:00 AM turing Iowa, Clemson, SC 9:00 AM Indiana, Boston Clemson, SC 9:00 AM University, SyraClemson, SC 9:00 AM cuse, Purdue San Diego, CA All Day and Marist. The Lake Monticello, VA All Day Tigers have a Clemson, SC 9:00 AM home regatta Columbus, OH 9:00 AM against Kansas on March 24, West Windsor, NJ All Day

before heading to the San Diego Crew Classic March 31-April 1.

Clemson then will head to Charlottesville, VA to take on Notre Dame, Cornell, and San Diego in two races on April 14 and Michigan State and Northeastern on April 15. On April 21, the Tigers play host to the ACC Championships before closing out the regular season in

Becca Brown (left) and Taylor Hoynacki (right) are team captains in 2012.

Brown photo by Rex Brown, Hoynacki photo by Annemarie Jacques

Columbus, OH where they will take on Michigan and Ohio State in two races on April 28.

Clemson then will look for a bid to the 2012 NCAA Championships, which are scheduled for May 25-27 in West Windsor, NJ. Tenenbaum is looking to build off of a second-place finish at the ACC Championships last year and a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

“We want to be conference champions,” he said.“We want to compete again for a national championship. The way our girls are training and the effort they’re putting forth is getting them well on their way to accomplishing that goal.

“My expectation is that everyone is going to work their hardest and do their best so that on race day they will be able to give everything they have to give. Our goals are to be the very best. Only one of 90 teams in the country is going to win the last race of the year. Our team is training as if that’s what we want to do. It’s great seeing that attitude.”

February 2012

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51

The National Letter of Intent T

he National Letter of Intent signing day is an exciting day for prospective student-athletes, prospective student-athlete’s family & friends, institution coaches & staff, boosters, alumni, fans and the media. Throughout the year and recruiting process, compliance services often receive the following question, “what is the National Letter of Intent (NLI)?”

About the NLI The NLI is a binding agreement between a senior in high school (domestic or international) or a junior college prospect and the institution (note: four year college transfer and spring semester enrollees are not eligible to sign a NLI). The prospect agrees to attend the institution for one full academic year beginning the following fall semester. The institution agrees to provide athletic financial aid for that same academic year. Since the NLI does not address the exact amount of athletic financial aid, all NLI’s must be accompanied with an institution’s financial aid agreement that details terms and conditions. The prospect and prospect’s parents have 14 days from the issuance date to sign the NLI in which it binds the prospect to the institution and not the sport or coach. If a coach leaves, the prospect is still bound to the NLI and institution. The institution may not hand deliver the NLI off-campus or be present off-campus at the time the prospect signs. However, the institution may continue calling the prospect while he/she has the NLI. If a prospect receives more than one NLI, the NLI the prospect signs first will be the binding NLI. A recruiting ban is placed on the prospect that prohibits other institutions from continuing recruiting the prospect.

NLI Signing Dates The NLI has one signing period for football, track and soccer, which begins the first Wednesday in February for high school prospects. For sports other than football, track and soccer, the early signing period lasts a week in November and the late signing period begins in April. Football prospects are prohibited from signing a NLI during the early signing period. A student who signs an NLI during the early period in a sport other than football will be ineligible for practice and competition in football during the student’s first year of enrollment at the institution and shall forfeit one season of competition in football NLI Penalties If a prospect decides not to fulfill the NLI agreement, the prospect will receive the basic penalty and lose one season of competition and will have to serve one year of residence at the next institution.

The prospect does have the option to appeal the basic penalty to a NLI committee if the institution does not grant a partial or full

52

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Orange: The Experience

release from the NLI agreement. Additionally, the ACC charges the prospect with the loss of one season of eligibility in all sports if they transfer to another ACC institution.

Voiding the NLI The NLI can become null and void if the prospect is denied admission to the institution, does not meet NCAA eligibility requirements, serves active duty with the armed forces of the United States for one year, if the institution discontinues the sport, if the institution violated NCAA recruiting rules that requires NCAA reinstatement, or if the prospect delays enrollment and the institution denies financial aid for the subsequent fall semester.

NCAA Rules You Should Know As a reminder, while the NLI is a binding contract between the prospect and institution for one year, NCAA rules still consider signees as prospective student-athletes and the recruiting rules will continue to apply until the prospect enrolls at the institution. Clemson University’s representatives of athletics interest (IPTAY members, alumni, fans) are still prohibited from contacting or providing any type of benefit to prospects including NLI signees and their family & friends. Examples of prohibited contacts and benefits include, but are not limited to: • Any contact including in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts (face-to-face conversations) including with the signee’s coach and high school administrators; • Any written or telephonic communications including email, IM, text messages, Facebook, myspace, Twitter, etc.; • Providing any financial assistance or free or discounted benefit (i.e. money, loans, gifts, food, drinks, transportation, lodging, or other tangible items); • Providing any discounts or free professional services; • Promises or arranging employment; or • Using the name or image in a congratulatory message or in any promotions/advertisements.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and support. Your compliance with NCAA, ACC and Clemson University rules and regulations is essential to Clemson’s continued success. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Compliance Services Office at (864) 656-1580 or email at compliance-L@clemson.edu.

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Shoal Creek, AL Shoal Creek, AL Shoal Creek, AL Simpsonville, SC Marietta, GA Murrells Inlet, SC Simpsonville, SC Melbourne, FL Melbourne, FL Cumming, GA Anderson, SC Cumming, GA Simpsonville, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Pendleton, SC Gaffney, SC Arvada, CO Lexington, SC Columbia, SC Clover, SC Honea Path, SC Oxford, GA Cramerton, NC Apex, NC Pendleton, SC Charleston, SC Alexandria, VA Denton, TX Fort Mill, SC Dunwoody, GA New Orleans, LA Roebuck, SC Dunwoody, GA Summerville, SC Seneca, SC Seneca, SC Pickens, SC Easley, SC Argyle, TX Summerville, SC Summerville, SC Charlotte, NC Winston-Salem, NC Aiken, SC Blythewood, SC Rock Hill, SC Royal Oak, MI Clemson, SC Columbia, SC Columbia, SC Austin, TX

Joshua Torres Ethan Ellis Merritt* Bree Sloan Alexcia Sternberg J. P. Oberholtzer Blythe Gaines Macie Gaines Olivia Joy Marsh* Blake Morros Warren Hastings Chase Carter Luke Bomar Lauren Lee Caroline Lee Wynn Taylor Carter Miller Grey Turner Rodenburg* Andrew Brown Jonah Elias Stewart Anna Williams Wallace Jefrey Siggins* Alyce Amelia Haigler* Mollie Lucas Haigler* Henry Alexander Merritt* Sarah Van Daele* Rilynn Alissa Dickson Carter Adair Rector Charles Ellswood John Parker Field Jack Forrest Katie Forrest Grace Ayn Mock Kristiana Grapenthin Hunter Brown Greyson Hinton Griffin Horton Madison L. Goings Closson R. Goodwin Cooper Evans Shealy Charlotte Berg Hayden Berg Braylen Fraley Drew Washabau John B. Pekarek Benjamin Stone Lucas Lasher Hayes Amick Emily Bishop Elizabeth Bishop Wyatt Reddell Cash*

Summerville, SC Murrells Inlet, SC Seneca, SC Fayetteville, NC Sugar Hill, GA Easley, SC Easley, SC Moore, SC Hanahan, SC Greenwood, SC West Columbia, SC Greenville, SC Seneca, SC Seneca, SC Atlanta, GA Gilbert, SC Lakewood, CO Conway, SC York, SC Charleston, SC Greer, SC Hodges, SC Cameron, SC Toledo, OH Clemson, SC Travelers Rest, SC Pelzer, SC Johns Creek, GA Laurens, SC Johnston, SC Johnston, SC Pooler, GA Alpharetta, GA Conway, SC Simpsonville, SC Clemson, SC West Columbia, SC Cheraw, SC Fairfax, VA Gulf Breeze, FL Gulf Breeze, FL Gaston, SC Chapin, SC Pendleton, SC Greenville, SC Waxhaw, NC Atlanta, GA Cowpens, SC Cowpens, SC Simpsonville, SC

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William T. Freeland William T. Freeland William T. Freeland Uncle Lloyd & Aunt Melba Scott & Janell Calvert Samy Spann Parents Jennifer Rhoades Jennifer Rhoades Philip & Christina Carns Justin & Lindsy Corrao William Milan James E. Wingard Jim Storey Jim Storey George & Nancy Bennett Beth Sartor Aunt Kelly Parents Terry E. Richardson, Jr. Ronald W. Kennedy Brian & Shannon Watson Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kelley Nelson & Nicole Wills Granddaddy David Spearman Philip Lowe Pat & Les Burns Richard Duncan Mommy & Daddy, Terry & Nicole Ayers William R. Thomson Miles Thomas Parents, Julie & Michael Murphy Kirk & Holly McMillan Joe & Kay Rigter Suzannah Eleazer Suzannah Eleazer Sigmund Arnold Douglas Harris (Pops) The Cook Family Scott & Stacey Jarrett Scott & Stacey Jarrett Ward Sumner Robert Holder Jay Ingle Chris & Toni Watson Big & Mimzy Joseph (‘01) & Marcia Skinner George & Nancy Alley Connie M. Willingham Connie M. Willingham Alix Lacelarie-Kautz

Orange: The Experience

Uncle Phil & Aunt Christy Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Merritt Brandon Sloan Grandma Great Grandparents Mandy Wright Mandy Wright Hollie Marie S. Marsh Sarah Blackwell Nancy & Kenny Poston Cothran & Ann Riddle Steve Bomar Duke & Angela Lee Duke & Angela Lee Jennifer Taylor Tom & Shelley Miller Floyd S. Long Andrew Brown Josh Stewart Adam Tepe Wendy & Jeff Siggins Hayne & Ann Haigler Hayne & Ann Haigler Mitch & Mary Ellen Merritt Michael & Joy Van Daele Rob Shirley Rob Shirley Haston Timmons Mother & Father Matt Forrest Matt Forrest Richard Brian Mock Richard & Cindy Grapenthin Andrew Brown Blake & Elaina Hinton Geroge & Nancy Bennett Charles Saverance John Goodwin Papa & Grandma (James & Kay Shealy) Father, Brett Berg Father, Brett Berg Dad & Mom, Emmett & Amanda Fraley Jinny Bouknight Susan Clapp James A. Neal Kevin & Molly Parkhill Huff Daddy & Maddie Precious Goode Precious Goode D. Ray Cash

CONTINUED ON PAGE 56 ›››

2012 SHELBY GT 500 Free delivery to IPTAY members.

888-3600 | Hwy. 123 www.LeaderFord.com F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 â?˜ 55

NEW Tiger Cubs Name

City Given by

Colin Wright Cumming, GA Joseph Wright Karen Wright Cumming, GA Joseph Wright McClure Sloan Bishop Charleston, SC Marett McClure Bishop Kendall Yarber* Savannah, GA Parents, Charles & Aimee Yarber Charlotte Yarber* Savannah, GA Parents, Charles & Aimee Yarber William Carter Brumfield Easley, SC William Freeman (Pops) Avery Bland Wilkerson, IV Cayce, SC Nana & Granddaddy

(Kim & Avery Wilkerson) Alexis Ross Rochester* Duncan, SC Parents, Angel & Bruce Rochester Wilson Hasting Clemson, SC Wayne & Betty Davis Caroline Hiers Charleston, SC Jill G. Hiers Garrett Hiers Charleston, SC Jill G. Hiers James Russell Pope IV* Central, SC Carol & Brent Golightly Mary Blair Rogers Greenville, SC Mary Barnette Caroline Cavanagh Wakefield, RI Gram & Pop Jack Douglas Baxter Wheaton, IL Jeff & Emily Baxter Gavin Boulier St. Augustine, FL Robert Grigsby Zeth Walker Travelers Rest, SC Larry Watson Jr. Cooper J. Canady Lexington, SC Michael Derrick Deborah Adele (Addie) Small Rock Hill, SC Mr. & Mrs. Michael Barrineau Kael Howell Smyrna, DE Kurt Howell Chase Benson Belton, SC Grammie & Paw Paw Bailey Steele Irmo, SC Gkat Kate Steele Irmo, SC Gkat Owen Steele Irmo, SC Gkat Grayson Allen Greenwood, SC PeePaw Adam Clardy Greenville, SC Tab & Julie Clardy Clemson Annabelle Byrd North Charleston, SC Heather Byrd Carter Pettigrew Acworth, GA Father, David Pettigrew Morgan Clark Dailey* Simpsonville, SC Ed & Donna Dailey Joseph Samuel Gasque IV Charlotte, NC Joseph S. Gasque III Ainsley Henschen Forest City, NC George & Nancy Bennett William Koon Columbia, SC Albert R. Koon Jr. Lucy Padgett Greenwood, SC Doc Hailey Jean Tapp Boiling Springs, SC Ken Tapp Isabella Stroupe Pensacola, FL Oma & Opa (Bruce & Meg Stroupe) Olivia Blevins Spartanburg, SC Oma & Opa (Bruce & Meg Stroupe) Dylan Satterwhite Newberry, SC Suzi & David Jacob Fields Gray Court, SC Eddie Burton John Brown Vance, SC James Brown Charlie Morton* Columbia, SC Pops Baker Lamberson Charleston, SC J. J. Lamberson Emily Claire Hutto* Marietta, GA Brad & Danielle Hutto Isabella Houston Mooresville, NC Jim & Hale Edwards (Pop Pop & GiGi) Michael Riley McMann* Eva Beach, HI Dave & Buffy McMann Addison Grace Chapman Abbeville, SC Ron & Brenda Millender Christian Davis Tolbert Atlanta, GA William L. Tolbert III Graham Zellner Woodruff, SC Mom & Dad Ford Haselden Greenville, SC Al Haselden Jackson Davis Barton York, SC Grandma Elaine Teat Charlie Webb Simpsonville, SC Uncle David Luke Tilley York, SC Corey Tilley Erin Grace Holliday Orangeburg, SC Mom & Dad Reeves M. Greer Simpsonville, SC Charles & Shay Willimon John Ross Hendrix Lexington, SC Kay K. Hendrix Reagan Poole Lexington, SC Paul & Debbie Arnold Josie Satterfield Moore, SC Daniel Satterfield

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*Sustaining

Name

City Given by

Dyson Watts Jennings Cason King* Alena Patton Ivey Patton Gabriella Hughes McClendon Hughes Lucas Stout* Stephen Cole Winburn Nathaniel C. McMillen Cooper Riley Gilbert Ethan Fennewald Collin Fennewald Pace Coyle Jake Owens Campbell James Sanderson Gip Brown Zach Roman Meg Feemster W. Collins Holman Ellis Tate Herring Carlee Layne Strickland Connor Latimer Miller Grace Hawley Zayda Anne Pruit* Lewis Ryan Leaphart, IV Annabel Nancy Sasser* Audrey Blount Benjamin Aleck Cox* Claire Austin Garrett Hester Scarlett Gossett Bryson Couch Abigail Gardner Colson Bloedow Hart L. Harley Hunter D. Harley Ray Thomas Crane III Fitz Callaghan Patton* Joshua H. Delph* Michela Z. Babb Reid Craddock* Jimmy McKeown* Cassie McKeown* Sophie E. Ergle Nate Edenfield* Alex Terry Jason Terry Kate Greenleigh Mahony Caroline Horton Riggan Meredith Lynn Moore Thaxton Davis Miller Karsyn Leigh Miller Wesley Davis Miller Brooke Taylor Dylan Taylor Easton Ables

Edgefield, SC Union, SC Simpsonville, SC Simpsonville, SC Summerville, SC Summerville, SC Yulee, SC Hartsville, SC Atlanta, GA Greenville, SC Winter Springs, FL Winter Springs, FL Piedmont, SC Mullins, SC West Columbia Marietta, GA Midlothian, VA Severna, MD Johns Island, SC Chester, SC Lancaster, SC Alpharetta, GA Myrtle Beach, SC Beaufort, SC Lexington, SC Watertown, MA Morrow, OH Pawleys Island, SC Charlotte, NC West Columbia, SC Liberty, SC Easley, SC Swansea, SC Seneca, SC St. Matthews, SC St. Matthews, SC Clemson, SC Anderson, SC Mauldin, SC Irmo, SC Greenville, SC Chester, SC Chester, SC Saluda, SC Greenville, SC Simpsonville, SC Simpsonville, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Camden, SC West Columbia Taylors, SC Taylors, SC Taylors, SC Fort Mill, SC Fort Mill, SC Greenville, SC

Charles T. Watts Jeremy & Letha King Tyler Patton Tyler Patton Ronnie & Joy Wingard Ronnie & Joy Wingard Mom & Dad Joseph & Tasha Winburn Kenneth & Kaye Grant Robbie A. Gilbert Jr. Louise Long Louise Long Nanny Edward S. Spivey Marcus Brad Sanderson Bunny Brown-Scott Linus E. & Karen D. Williams-Roman Jim Love D. O. Holman Ms. Ritchie Uncle Chad Robert Nickles Penni & Steve Hawley William D. Anderson Lois & Dennis Stuber Hank & Kay Owen William R. & Tina M. Rice Glenn & Myra Cox John A. Turner J. W. Hester Sid & Tim Gossett Sid & Tim Gossett Kelly Peeples Steven H. & Nicole Talley Bloedow Wayne Harley Jr. Wayne Harley Jr. Kimper F. & Reba M. Cartee Wayne & Teri Townsend Micheal & Giovanna Babb Ben & Tricia Craddock James E. & Stacey McKeown James E. & Stacey McKeown Keith & Angela Rushton Jeff & Andrea Edenfield Sam Erwin Sam Erwin Jay & Traci Mahony Trey Riggan Ashley & Wesley Moore Tom W Head Tom W. Head Tom W. Head Rodger H. & Melissa A. Taylor Roger H. & Melissa A. Taylor Sonya & Rudy Ables

CONTINUED ON PAGE 58 ›››

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NEW Tiger Cubs

*Sustaining

Name

City Given by

Name

City Given by

Bennett Walker Wells Sam Buckley Kate Oglesby Ellison Blair Williams Berry Bonds Kassie Nations Madison Nations Noah Thomas Aughtry Kateland Dianne Taylor Ruthie Thompson Chase Hendrix Luke McElveen Audrey Claire Ikerd Michaela Bramlett Nolen S. Coley Gracen Bridges Bruorton* deMarco Owen* John Webster Landon Barber Ivalee Polk Miller Jeremiah Ashby Sydney Shuler Ethan Eddings Madison Elizabeth Segers Avery Suzanne Turner Hunter Reid Fant Davis Young John Tyler Rossi Sophie Brison* Jeb Brown Kennedy J. Babb Elias Road Lily Aydlette Lily Catherine Maurer Walt Baker Maurer

Summerton, SC Rock Hill, SC Greer, SC Charleston, SC Winnsboro, SC Anderson, SC Anderson, SC Wilmington, NC Greenville, SC Surfside Beach, SC Greenville, SC Marion, SC Cumming, GA Anderson, SC Tempe, AZ Mt. Pleasant, SC Pompano Beach, FL Greenville, SC Loganville, GA Hampton, SC Greenville, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Charleston, SC Northport, AL Simpsonville, SC Williamston, SC Clinton, SC Boca Raton, FL Simpsonville, SC Greenville, SC Irmo, SC Easley, SC Goose Creek, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC

Miles Crow Stephen F. Linder Jr. Brooklynn Fulmer-Hines Jackson Van Heule Grant A. Clark Jordyn Lindsey Mary Folger Brightwell Eliza Lynn Hoelzer Beau Dosher Anslee Franklin Stacey McKinney Aaron Albritton Charlie McCoy Channing Belcher Pamela Yonce* Mason C. King Ryan T. King Emma Russell Yarborough Isabella DiPrizito McRae Stephenson Anndie Marie Young Mason Alan Young Emary Claire Young Aiden O’Neal Livingston Taylor Ann Slice Sam McElroy Lucien David Henry Maxton Journey White Joshua M. Evans Keeley M. Murdaugh Fischer Morrow Lauren Nelson Laith Haddad Bryce Lee Tomberlin Lawton Alexander Benton Jackson Poole Donnie Rutherford Logan Leininger Suzanne Kapp* Mason Kapp* Vincent Miller Ava Dobson Samuel Dobson Reeves Dobson Andrew Fort Jr. Fritz Charles Smith Luke Flynn Alex Olinger Janie Simmons Hicks Mayzie Winburn Jake Owens Zach Poole Kaylee Kneece Patrick Haynes Macy Martin Lizzy Cook Henry M. (Hank) Bruner Jr.

Laurens, SC Chapin, SC Pomaria, SC Anderson, SC Stone Mountain, GA Anderson, SC Irmo, SC Mount Sinai, NY Charleston, SC Aiken, SC Commerce, GA Fort Worth, TX Boiling Springs, SC Boiling Springs, SC Charleston, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Beverly Hills, CA Daniel Island, SC Seneca, SC Seneca, SC Greenville, SC Pomaria, SC Prosperity, SC Murfreesboro, TN Conway, SC Knoxville, TN Easley, SC Smoaks, SC Lexington, SC Sumter, SC Zarqa, Jordan Mt. Pleasant, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Greer, SC Bahama, NC Cary, NC Columbia, SC Columbia, SC Woodstock, GA Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Columbia, SC Marietta, GA Spartanburg, SC Lexington, SC Columbia, SC Mullins, SC Simpsonville, SC Gilbert, SC Bradley, SC Pendleton, SC Pendleton, SC McClellanville, SC

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James S. & Debra H. Bailey Heidi & Tim Buckley Derek Oglesby Ron & Brenda Millender Philip C. & Donna S. Wilkins Grandparents Grandparents Barry K. Aughtry Richard & Ellen Taylor Diana M. & Will Z. Thompson Melanie P. & James M. Hendrix Ronnie Cribb Travis & Ashley Ikerd Lauren Bramlett Carl Coley Jim & Linda Bruorton Aunt Jill Richard Robert Bishop Mom & Dad Edith D. Smith Grady & Amanda Ashby Nana & Papa Creighton Eddings Grammy & Pops Rick & Susan Robinson Sheree Fant Bobby & Joy Skelton Francis S. Dunn Curtis & Kerri Brison Tom ”Blackcat & Jean Barton” Brush & Dottie Babb Chris Jones D. L. Aydlette Jr D. L. Aydlette Jr. D. L. Aydlette Jr.

Orange: The Experience

Seth Crow Steve Linder Sr. Geema Donna & Jerry Jackson Mom & Dad Nikki & Jay Lindsey Danny O. Derrick Jim Gaugh M. H. & B. F. Celek Richard Franklin Jack McKinney Mom & Dad Bunny Brown-Scott Lewie L. Bates Jr. Bill & Pam Hendrix Sherry Carter Sherry Carter Jon Yarborough Daddy Rob & Erin Stephenson Aunt Kathey & Uncle Robert Ricketts Aunt Kathey & Uncle Robert Ricketts Aunt Kathey & Uncle Robert Ricketts Aaron O’Neal Livingston Jennifer T. & Travis G. Slice Gran & Granpaca Dad Carl L. White Keith & Sylvia Evans Marshall Murdaugh Gabby & Poppie India Graham Nelson Daniel P. Corey Jr. Pete Reynolds Granddaddy Lawton Benton Harry Poole Mom Lara & Aaron Leininger Lloyd M. Kapp Jr. Lloyd M. Kapp Jr. William B. Miller Scott Dobson Scott Dobson Scott Dobson Andy Fort Aunt Beth & Walter Cottingham Papa Charles Miller Milton Alexander Mom & Dad Bean & Bonnie Winburn Kelly W. Owens Nana & Pop David A. Kneece Brian Haynes Gary & Lynne Sumerel Gary & Lynne Sumerel Joy Bruner

IPTAY Mr. Albert Shealy passed away October 31. He was an IPTAY member for 25 years.

Mr. Robert Holingsworth passed away November 4. He was an IPTAY member for 57 years.

Mr. Alva Hancock passed away December 26. He was an IPTAY member for 53 years.

Mrs. Della Williams passed away January 3. She was an IPTAY member for 19 years.

Mr. Albert Bruschini passed away January 8. He was an IPTAY member for 25 years.

CONDO ON LAKE HARTWELL Exclusive in the City of Clemson. Prominent designer’s home.

Unique interior with elevator. Fully furnished with all accessories to move right in. Homeowners Association includes covered boat slip.

Call Monica Zielinski, 864-710-0381. Exclusive.

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Larry Nance, a member of Clemson’s 100th anniversary all-time team, was a starting forward on the Tigers’ 1980 team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Photos courtesy of Clemson Sports Information

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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!

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

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IPTAY DONOR otos ph

Matthew Willard while deployed to South Korea.

Rob Keisler’s grandchildren watching Clemson from Pohang, South Korea.

h family on lie Sutton traveling wit Joseph Sutton and Kel ber 2011. tem Sep k in ional Par a trip to Yellowstone Nat

Luke Howell, son of Gra yson (‘93) and Teresa (‘92) Howell and brother to Caleb and Blake Howell.

d n (‘07) Evans were marrie Ellen (‘09) and Hamilto on Sept. 10, 2011.

on their honeymoon in Stephen and Tara Jerdan ada on Granville Island.

Can , bia um Col ish Vancouver, Brit

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Frank Monterisi completed the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on Oct. 30, 2011 in 4:09:49 hours.

Bryce Helderman was born on Sept. 27, 2011. He is the son of Steve Helderman(‘92) and Debbie Helderman.

James McAllister’s Tiger in front of his house before the Maryla nd game.

James L. Covington, 57 in Bath, England, UK.

Chad Bell’s niece Carlee at her first Clemson football gam e.

was Sammy WatMiller Jeremiah Ashby year. He was this een low kins for Hal ture. pic the in 8 weeks old

Travis and Jennifer Slice announce the birth of their newest Tiger fan , Taylor Ann Slice. Born Nov. 12, 2011.

Katelyn Osier-Jumpp (18 -month-old daughter of Emily Osier-J umpp class ‘99) tailgating at Brooks Center.

s (’04), Evan Scott (’80), Rachel Sweigart Walter d Laxton (’03), ), James Gardner (’81 Cha ger Gardner Pope (’75), Gin ), (’04 ns Eva on ins Sarah Rob rse (’04), son (’04), Taylor Pope Mo Lauren Tynan Edmond rick (’04), Car r rke Ma ey Car ), Jeremy Carrick (’04 Short (’82), Chris Whitley (’04), Jim ) Katie Gordon Evans (’07 and ), (’83 rt Sho m dha Lori Win ng Reception in ddi We rse Mo the at g stop dancin 30, 2011, to gather for Charleston, SC on July m an Alu picture!

Jan McBride (‘80) with daughter Sara McBride and friends Dylan and Anita Simpson, enjoy the Andy Roddick match at the 2011 US Open in New York.

Thomas Love (11) celebra tes with pompoms from ACCCG. Son of Mac (‘88) and Ashley McTeer (‘89) Lov e. Grandson of Life Trustee Tom McTeer.

ther Ken Leahy (‘93) and Hea ting Neuss Leahy (‘93) celebra Ken’s 40th birthday.

Loyal Tiger fans Terry Coakley and Will Collins hosted their 2nd biennial “Tigers vs. Terps” golf event prior to the Clemson vs. Maryland game in October.

Tiger cub members Brooks (2) and Samantha (4) introduce their newest sister Harper to Tiger territory. Parents - Joe (‘01) and Danielle Trickett(‘01) Shealy, grandparents - Ron (‘76) and Annelle Ashmore(‘76) Shealy.

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

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My Favorite Men’s Basketball Memories — Part II

by Tim Bourret

s we celebrate 100 years of Clemson men’s basketball this month, it is a time for me to reflect on the most memorable moments I have witnessed from my seat on press row. I have been at Clemson for 33 percent of the years of competition and 43 percent of the games. In the Nov. 14 issue, I looked back on personal favorites from 1978-90. Here are some of my favorite moments from the last 20 years.

Slab Five Wins at Duke When Rick Barnes took over for the 1994-95 season, he inherited a program that lost six seniors from the previous year, plus first-round draft choice Sharone Wright. He termed his first starting five, the “Slab Five,” meaning those five players would set the foundation for the future of the program through a great work ethic.

Photo by Patrick Wright

Duke was ranked ninth in the nation when Clemson traveled to Cameron Indoor Stadium for Barnes’ first ACC game. Six different Tigers made a threepoint goal, as Clemson shot 55 percent from three-point land and 60 percent from the field, and won 75-70.

It would be the last game of the year for Mike Krzyzewski, who developed back problems.

That same night, North

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Carolina was upset down the road in its ACC opener. In his postgame interview, Tar Heel Head Coach Dean Smith said, “It is a balanced ACC this year. Just about anyone other than Clemson can win the regular season.” He was then informed of Clemson’s win at Duke and he quickly amended his statement.

Buckner’s Dunk There are dunks … and then there are dunks with meaning. Greg Buckner had the most famous one in Clemson history on March 8, 1996 when his dunk with 0.6 seconds left beat North Carolina 7573 in the ACC Tournament at Greensboro, NC. The dunk and victory gave Clemson a win over every other ACC team during that season and got the young Tigers (started four freshmen and a sophomore) into the NCAA Tournament. It would be the first of three NCAA bids for the Tigers under Barnes’ direction.

Winning in the Hoosier Dome Clemson gained a lot of national notoriety during the 1995-96 season and with such a young team returning, the Tigers were matched against defending NCAA Champion Kentucky in the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis for the opening game of college basketball.

It was a very meaningful game for Greg Buckner, a native of Hopkinsville, KY who was not recruited by the Wildcats and coach Rick Pitino. Buckner had a great game, as did Iker Iturbe, who was a wizard breaking the Kentucky press.

The Tigers won in overtime, 79-71. We arrived back at Clemson at 4:30 AM, and then had to be at the office at 10:00 AM for a noon football game with NC State.

No. 2 vs. No. 3 at Littlejohn Coliseum The most hyped game I have been around was the Jan. 23, 1997 game against Tim Duncan and Wake Forest. The Tigers were 16-1 and ranked second in the AP poll, Clemson’s highest ranking ever.

Wake Forest was ranked third in the country and the game attracted a national media contingent.

Clemson students camped out for tickets in 141 tents on the lawn of Littlejohn Coliseum the night

before the game. There were eight satellite trucks in attendance. Walking over to the game, my old boss Bob Bradley told me, “I feel like we are going into the O.J. trial.” In the end, Wake Forest prevailed 65-62 in a game that came down to the last possession.

Beating #1 North Carolina The most surprising upset in my tenure at Clemson took place on Feb. 18, 2001 when Clemson defeated top-ranked North Carolina 75-65. It was a dark time for the Tigers, who had lost eight in a row entering the game, while North Carolina entered on an 18-game winning streak.

Will Solomon scored 30 points off the bench, and Edward Scott and Tony Stockman had outstanding games to lead the Tigers to victory. Clemson never got the national attention it could have for this victory. That same Sunday afternoon legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt died in the Daytona 500.

The Run to the ACC Championship Game The weekend of March 14-16, 2008 was a great time for Clemson fans in Charlotte. The Tigers reached the ACC Championship game for just the second time in history, the first since 1962.

Clemson had four players on the two All-ACC Tournament teams, a first in school history. The highlight of the weekend was a 78-74 win over seventh-ranked Duke, a victory that snapped a 22game losing streak to the Blue Devils. That win and the entire weekend did much for Clemson’s national reputation.

Clemson 74, Duke 47 The most impressive performance I have witnessed took place during February 2009 when the Tigers defeated Duke 74-47. Duke was ranked fourth in the nation entering that game and the Tigers just dismantled a Blue Devil team that would go on to win the ACC Championship that season.

Trevor Booker was dominant on the inside and his dunk over Kyle Singler and Brian Zoubek in the first half sent Littlejohn Coliseum into a frenzy.

It would be Duke’s largest margin of defeat since the 1990 NCAA Championship game.

An NCAA Tournament Victory Clemson made its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010-11, but the Tigers had not won an NCAA Tournament game since 1997.

Brad Brownell and his first team broke that streak with a 70-52 win at Dayton Arena. The irony was strong, as Brownell had come to Clemson from the city of Dayton, as he had been the head coach at Wright State less than a year earlier.

The 18-point win was the largest margin of victory by a Tiger team in an NCAA Tournament game and gave the Tigers wins in the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament in the same year for the first time since 1990.

— JOIN US FOR —

Sunday Brunch Full Bar and Complete Wine Selection

Quick seating for most, but we do recommend reservations for large groups!

It’s hard to believe that Rockhoppers has been a part of Clemson for eleven great years! I want to thank all the loyal friends, family and supporters of Rockhoppers for helping me get where I am today. This restaurant has been a part of my life for 10 years, during my time at Clemson as a server and manager, and for the last five years as a partner.

I have now taken the leap into sole ownership and created my own dream — The Boulevard Grill. I wanted to open a new restaurant concept that would reflect a bit of my life as well as the history of this incredible town and treasured University. I have been fascinated by Clemson history since my freshman year and wanted the opportunity to share it with our guests. My hopes are that The Boulevard will become a part of Clemson tradition, a place where out of town guests will get a snapshot of our great community, and a place where many proud alumni will have the opportunity to reflect on their memories. I hope you enjoy the journey back in time!

Many of the new menu items were inspired by places that the military took our family — Guam, The Chesapeake Bay, Italy New Orleans, and of course, my new home, Clemson.

Incredible food quality, heaping portions, attention to detail and great service remain the philosophy of our staff. I expect The Boulevard to become a favorite place for everyone in Clemson.

— Andrew Merritt, Clemson University ‘03

11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• New menu each week!

• Carving station • Kids (under 8) eat FREE!

Other Special Nights on The Boulevard Italian Night* on Tuesdays

Crab Leg Nights* on Wednesdays

1310 Tiger Boulevard Clemson, South Carolina 864.654.9944 February 2012

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A N N O U N C I N G A N E XC LU S I V E P R E - D E V E LO P M E N T O F F E R I N G TO R E S E RVAT I O N H O L D E R S Clemson University

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The Clemson Area’s Premier Waterfront Community t -BLFGSPOU MPUT TUBSUJOH VOEFS t *OUFSJPS MBLF WJFX QBSL WJFX MPUT TUBSUJOH VOEFS t MBLFGSPOU MPUT BOE JOUFSJPS MPUT XJMM CF PêFSFE UP SFTFSWBUJPO IPMEFST BU discounted prices t BDSF .BTUFS 1MBOOFE DPNNVOJUZ t NJMFT PG GSPOUBHF PO -BLF )BSUXFMM t NJMFT GSPN $MFNTPO 6OJWFSTJUZ t 4JOHMF GBNJMZ UPXOIPNF DPUUBHF QBUJP IPNF BOE DPOEPNJOJVNT t 4FOJPS MJWJOH SFTJEFODFT BOE DFOUFS t BDSF MBLF NVMUJQMF QBSLT BOE XBMLJOH USBJMT t 8BMLBCMF UP UIF UPXO WJMMBHF t $MVCIPVTF BOE QPPM .BTUFS QMBO TIPXO JT TVCKFDU UP DIBOHF

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Orange: The Experience