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ORANGE: THE EXPERIENCE
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FEBRUARY 17, 2014
Volume 5, Issue 5
DEPARTMENTS 6 Travis Furbee
IPTAY’s annual fund provides the foundation for Clemson Athletics
SOMETHING IN THESE HILLS 8 Pawsitive Press
Nikki Dixon Achieves Same-Night Career Milestone, Game-Winner
10 Coaches Corner
Leslie Hasselbach Adams
12 Beyond the Game
Jordan Roper
14 IPTAY Donor Spotlight
Kathy McGee
16 IPTAY Representative Spotlight
Jim Wilder
18 IPTAY New Donor Spotlight
Spencer Broome
19 IPTAY Information: Upcoming Events, Gift Planning and
INSIDE
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26 They Changed Clemson
Orange Bowl triumph cements legacy for outgoing Tigers.
30 National Signing Day
Clemson inks another ballyhoed class on dramafree day.
37 Football Signee Profiles
In-depth look at the members of Clemson’s 2014 football signing class.
42 Baseball Outlook
61 Memorials
“The Right Way”:
Hall of Famer — Clemson Baseball Head Coach Jack Leggett
48 Deuce-Trey No. 23 Chancie Dunn, known by teammates as ‘Grandma,’ has grown into a leader for Lady Tigers.
50 Men’s Tennis Outlook Tigers look to build on 2013 NCAA Tournament appearance.
52 Women’s Tennis Outlook The beat goes on for one of Clemson’s most successful programs.
Deep pitching rotation, multiple position starters return for the Tigers.
54 Importance of IPTAY Deadlines
46 Preparation Meets Opportunity
56 NCAA Compliance
Junior hurler Daniel Gossett hopeful of Tigers’ return to Omaha.
Quick Facts
58 Jervey Donor List
62 IPTAY Donor Photos 64 The Last Word
The Impact of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins
Editor: Philip Sikes Assistant Editors Tim Bourret Steven Bradley Lindsey Leonard Graphics Coordinator: Melissa Bradley Contributing Writers Sam Blackman Matt Castello Brian Hennessy Joey Johns Jeff Kallin Drew Ronemus Chief Photographer: Rex Brown
IN THE NEXT ISSUE ... Ben and Garrett Boulware are a unique sibling combination in collegiate athletics.
Orange: The Experience is published eight times a year by IPTAY Media 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 or e-mail to jerry@myiptay.com, or 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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IPTAY’S ANNUAL FUND PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION FOR CLEMSON ATHLETICS Travis Furbee
director of iptay annual fund
A
s many of you know, IPTAY was the first athletics booster organization ever created in the United States in 1934. Back then, it stood for “I Pay Ten A Year,” a slogan that speaks to the annual nature of the donations that are our bread and butter. IPTAY is recognized as the first organization to top $1 million as an annual fund. People often ask what IPTAY stands for today, since the lowest donor level is $140. It has grown into a brand more than an acronym for any specific dollar amount, but the simple answer is: IPTAY stands for Clemson Athletics. IPTAY is a brand that has grown over the years and become recognizable, primarily in the Southeast, but also around the country. It began as a grassroots program that encouraged people to be part of the Clemson Athletics program and has grown into one of the largest booster organizations in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and we have very ambitious goals. While IPTAY is currently working to fund the comprehensive facilities initiative that was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees last October, it is important we don’t lose sight of growing the annual fund, as well. Since it is an annual fund, we need people coming back every single year in order to support the program. It’s not a one-time gift. We need your support year in and year out, and it’s not just about fundraising. We are also a customer service business. We need to make people understand they are appreciated and are supporting a good cause. There are many different charities that people can donate to, so we also need to do a great job in the customer service area by making members feel good about how their funds are being used. If you are an IPTAY member, you’re part of the annual fund. We raised over $20 million last year, and that money is devoted to footing the complete scholarship bill of Clemson Athletics, as well as all of the operations and staffing of Vickery Hall, and all of IPTAY’s own operations and staffing. There is a great need to grow the annual fund because scholarship costs are increasing, as are personnel and operating expenses. We did institute a new level of annual giving — the Riggs level, which represents a $25,000 annual gift and is designed to fund a full scholarship. At the date of this publication, we had 20 Riggs Level donors, which shows the commitment of our IPTAY members to Clemson Athletics and how loyal and dedicated you are to helping Clemson compete on a national stage with some of the top athletic programs in the country. But whether you give $140 or $5,000 or more, every member
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is very important to us, and we need that long-term commitment from people who are just getting started. We have a high volume of membership, but we do value the relationships with each and every one of our donors. IPTAY would not be where it is today after 80 years without building the foundation that is the fiber of our organization. One area we are focusing on is trying to appeal to the younger generation to ensure we are able to sustain our growth for the long haul. Whether it is the IPTAY Collegiate Club or the IPTAY YA! program that offers young alumni after graduation a discount to join, we’ve really put an emphasis on the younger generation being able to understand and appreciate how our organization works. We have more than 15,000 members, and benefits can range from tax deductions to priority seating and priority parking for various sports — not only football, but also basketball, baseball, any ticketed event that we have. Clemson University has more than 130,000 living alumni, but you don’t have to be an alumnus or graduate to support IPTAY and Clemson Athletics. You just have to love Clemson. Whether you are a graduate or a fan or have an affinity for a certain coach, whether it’s women’s basketball or men’s soccer or other sports, you can reach out and support student-athletes through IPTAY. We’ve seen growth each of the last two years in both membership and total dollars, and we hope to continue to keep growing in the right direction. I’d also like to use this space to remind our members that we just had our deadline on Feb. 15 for donors to pledge and pay 50 percent of their donation, but one of the most important things we’re trying to adhere to this year is the June 15 deadline to pay the remainder of the pledge. We need to close our books at the end of June, so we need everyone’s help to do that. We truly want to thank you for your support. IPTAY and Clemson Athletics couldn’t be where we are today without our loyal members, and we hope you will continue to support our program as we strive to be the best.
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SOMETHING IN THESE HILLS PAWSITIVE PRESS Highlighting Clemson’s top performers in athletics Alejandro Augusto Men’s Tennis • Madrid, Spain The Tennessee Tech transfer helped Clemson upset No. 10 Ole Miss on Jan. 26 with a 6-5, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles and teamed with Robert Dudley to earn a 6-3 doubles win against the Rebels as well.
Jaron Blossomgame Men’s Basketball • Alpharetta, GA The red-shirt freshman was named ACC Rookie of the Week after his 14-point, 14-rebound performance in Clemson’s 72-59 upset of Duke. Blossomgame was the first Tiger to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors since the 2007-08 season.
Tevin Hester Men’s Track & Field • Oxford, NC The sophomore sprinter is one of the athletes to watch at the upcoming ACC Indoor Championships, held in Clemson from Feb. 27 through March 1. Hester owns one of the nation’s fastest times (6.60) in the 60 dash this season.
Mimi Land Women’s Track & Field • Albany, GA The sophomore owns Clemson’s top performances this season in each of her three events – high jump, long jump and triple jump – and is the reigning ACC Indoor Freshman of the Year.
Jon McGibbon Baseball • Lindenhurst, NY McGibbon heads into his senior season with the Tigers as one of the country’s steadiest first basemen. He committed just one error all of last season in 562 chances, a .998 fielding percentage.
Danielle Reitsma Diving • Calgary, Canada The freshman mid-year enrollee qualified for the NCAA Zone Championships in the platform event in her first collegiate meet against Western Kentucky and College of Charleston on Jan. 18.
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DIXON ACHIEVES CAREER MILESTONE, GAME-WINNER ON SAME NIGHT She may not have been playing on her home court, but Nikki Dixon reached a milestone in her Clemson career in front of a home crowd on Thursday, Jan. 30. Then she sent them home with something else to celebrate. Dixon became just the 23rd player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau in the Lady Tigers’ 80-79 overtime victory over Georgia Tech at McCamish Pavilion. A native of nearby Alpharetta, Dixon achieved the milestone in front of more than 30 family and friends. More importantly, she capped the night with the game-winning basket on an end-to-end layup with eight seconds left to give her team the win, its first in Atlanta since 2004. “It meant a lot,” she said. “I didn’t even care if it was my 1,000th point. I just wanted to win, and we pulled it out.” Dixon finished the contest with a team-high 23 points, continuing the finest scoring run of her career. “Nikki is a really good kid, and she’s a really good basketball player,” Head Coach Audra Smith said. “I’ve said this a million times. When Nikki does the things that we ask her to do, she’s successful.” And what the coaching staff asks her to do is take the ball to the basket. When Dixon struggled early in the season to find her rhythm in Smith’s system, the head coach had her video staff put together highlight clips of her driving the ball to the rim. “I told her, ‘This is where you’re successful. This is your bread and butter. No one’s been able to take this away from you yet,’” Smith said. “Georgia Tech tried to throw two (defenders) at her, and they couldn’t do it. “She took a couple of jumpers early and we just sat her down. Nothing teaches a lesson better than that pine. She realized that she’s got to get to the basket. The rest of her shots from there on out were layups.” And that included the most important shot of the game. — by Steven Bradley/IPTAY Media, photo by Rex Brown/IPTAY Media
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CORNER
Q&A with Women’s Diving Head Coach Leslie Hasselbach Adams In our latest installment of Coaches Corner, “Orange: The Experience” Editor Philip Sikes sat down with Head Coach Leslie Hasselbach Adams, now in her second season in charge of Clemson’s women’s diving program. In the question and answer session, Hasselbach Adams discussed the dynamics of a diving-only program, what she learned in the program’s first season, recruiting advantages, and some Diving 101 for the casual fan. Q: In 2010 it was announced Clemson would retain a women’s diving program, and you were named head coach. What were your emotions like at that time? Hasselbach Adams: “I had been here 12 years as an assistant coach when the news first broke that we were going to phase out the swimming and men’s diving programs. It was a life-changing experience for not only myself, but also the athletes and coaches involved. On the other hand, I was fortunate to become a pioneer for the sport of diving collegiately, by becoming the first coach to lead a female diving only program in the country. It was an emotion-filled type of process.” Q: With so much experience at Clemson, you obviously knew how to sell the school and its athletic program to prospective recruits. Did you have to alter your sales pitch moving forward? Hasselbach Adams: “We’re still trying to get the word out about the dynamics of our program. Not a lot of people quite comprehend that we’re a diving-only program. That’s going to take some time and diligent education from our standpoint as a coaching staff and program. We have to make sure all the diving coaches in the country understand our program.” Q: As you progressed through the program’s first season (2012-13), what did you learn that you have applied differently this second time around? Hasselbach Adams: “I learned a lot after that first season. When I sat the team down at the beginning of the year, I told them that we were navigating this together and we would figure it all out as we went along. We had a really young team. We had a new assistant coach. But we had a very good first season; I was proud of the team, the coaches and support staff. I had a tremendous honor by receiving a scholarship to be able to go to the NCAA Women Coaches Academy last summer. That gave me an even stronger coaching foundation and allowed me to put more tools in my coaching toolbox. It made me think of my coaching philosophy and purpose, program philosophy, where we’re 10
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headed for the future, and what I want this program to stand for. Our overall program philosophy is ‘Leading a Lifestyle of Excellence’. Each day, our ladies are reminded of how to achieve that standard in everything that they do.” Q: You have a full-time assistant coach and the commitment at Clemson is 100 percent to women’s diving. Can this be used as an advantage in the recruiting process? Hasselbach Adams: “Absolutely. We’re one of the only programs in the country, maybe the only, that has a fulltime assistant coaching position. We have a huge advantage having two full-time coaches on the pool deck. We work with 12 athletes and are able to cater to their needs. We are able to create a competitive schedule that is tailored to the sport of diving since we are a specialized program. We are also able to specialize our athletes and train them in the events that they are best suited for, whereas most programs have to make all of their athletes compete in every event in order to contribute to combined swimming & diving team point totals.” Q: What are some of the basics of college diving that the average fan may not know? Hasselbach Adams: “In our sport, divers compete in three events. There are two springboard events, the onemeter and three-meter. Then we have the platform event, which can be five-meter, 7.5-meter or 10-meter. At Fike, we have the five- and 7.5-meter. We still travel to the University of Georgia for 10-meter platform training. “We have to maintain a minimum of 11 sport participants, and a minimum of six meets. This year, we were scheduled for 16 different dates of competition. Our max is 20. We’re able to travel to some highly competitive meets. A huge advantage for our program is to be able to travel all 12 of our athletes to our ACC Championship meet. We have a roster limit of 18 swimming and diving participants to take to the ACC championship meet. Most teams only can bring two to four divers. With a roster of 12 divers, we are a huge presence at the diving end of the pool at ACCs. It’s awesome! “The dynamics of running a meet are the exact same as before, we’re just not swimming. When we traveled to Arkansas, for example, they had a swim meet going on at the same time versus Rice. And Rice doesn’t have a diving program. So, Arkansas was competing against us in diving and Rice in swimming. A lot of other programs have only swimming, so it’s the same as having only diving. We obviously just forfeit the swimming points. From our standpoint, we look at only diving finishes. To Arkansas, we lost to them because the entire meet was scored to include
swimming. But on our side, we look only at diving finishes, so we tied them. That’s how we have to look at it.” Q: One of the interesting things with diving is that the coaches are often the judges, right? Hasselbach Adams: “Yes, we are. During the dual meet season, we are the judges – myself and one coach from the other team. When we go to our conference championship meet, a neutral panel comes in to judge the athletes. But at the NCAA qualifying meet, we’re back to judging our kids. There are five different zone qualifying meets. From zones, they use a priority grid using the zone meet final results to determine national meet qualifiers. There are four automatic qualifiers out of each zone, and after that it is based on historical data as to how many at-large bids each zone has earned. It’s easier to look at and understand than it is to describe. But that’s our NCAA qualifying method.” Q: What is your vision in the long term? Hasselbach Adams: “That’s the fun of it. I’ve truly enjoyed the experience of being able to do things our own way. No standards have been set for us to follow; we’re the ones that get to set the standard for a diving-only program. It’s been an awesome experience. Long term, we will definitely be a powerhouse in the diving community. A lot of my colleagues are very envious of my position. They wish they had some of the same experiences that we’re able to enjoy as a program. For now, our team and staff is focused on our journey and being the best that we can be every day.” Q: Has all this change made your group of 12 athletes an even tighter-knit group? Hasselbach Adams: “It really has, and that’s one thing we’ve been working at. Whenever we have someone who has an inspirational performance, we pass along a cube amongst the girls. A cube has 12 lines that make up the shape, and we have 12 girls that make up our team. That has been our symbol. Last year’s cube served as our cornerstone for the program. From there, we will continue to build the foundation around that cornerstone. We may not have a football or soccer ball to pass around, but we’ve got our cube. Our team word this year is unity. We’re an individual sport, but we have to work together as a team to score team points. I like to remind the ladies that they are one of 12 in the world that gets to be a member of our diving program. Every day they have an opportunity to build a lasting legacy. It’s been fun to continue to build the culture of our program!”
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��� Beyond the Game with ...
Jordan Roper
� Sophomore Guard, Men’s Basketball
Your major is PRTM. What about that area of study appealed to you? “My concentration is community recreation, sport & camp management, and I want to one day run basketball camps and have my own facility.” How do you envision putting your degree to use once your playing career is done? “In Columbia, there are not many facilities to teach kids how to play basketball, and I want to teach the fundamentals. If I could stay within basketball, it would be like never working. It would be really fun. Going to Columbia would be ideal, but I’m flexible.”
probably my favorite song (by Kanye).” Do you have a favorite movie or TV show? “I don’t know about that. If I had to choose though, it would probably be The Dark Knight series. All of them. They’re all good. I could just choose them all. I don’t really watch a lot of TV, but when I do, I watch SportsCenter or SpongeBob Square Pants. SpongeBob’s my show.” Are you a social media person? “It’s a monster in its own way. It can be good and it can be very bad. I try not to use it as much, but I enjoy it.”
Many people don’t understand the time commitment it takes to be both a student and an athlete. How difficult has it been juggling the two? “It’s definitely a dedication. It’s a lot of dedication to both being a student and being an athlete. The students here are obviously tremendous, and the athletes also, but we get a lot of help. We have Vickery Hall, and our coaches stay on us. We need a lot of motivation to stay on top of things, and at times it can be difficult, but nothing worth having is easy.” How much have the resources available at Vickery Hall helped with your classwork? “They have strategic tutors that try to get you ahead and tell you what you need to study for, and you have subject-specific tutors. Say you’re struggling in English, they’ll help you understand the subject more. They don’t do the work for you, but they definitely help you understand the material more.” When you get time away from the basketball court and classroom, what are some of the things you like to do in your spare time? “Just hanging out with friends. That’s important. Balancing the basketball and academics, having a social life is important. Balancing those three things is really key. Not having too much of one or the other is key because we are human beings, so hanging out with my friends, watching other basketball games, football games, anything.” What is your favorite genre of music? Who are some of your favorite groups or artists? “Definitely hip-hop. My favorite artist is Kanye West. I like Drake a little bit, but I like Kanye. Without Kanye there’s no Drake. ‘Power’ is 12
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Fellow teammate Jaron Blossomgame claims to be the best-dressed player on the team, what do you think about that? “You know, Jaron’s definitely not the best dresser. I’d say I have that title, but Jaron, he dresses well. But the title goes to me.” Do you have a favorite sports team … other than Clemson, of course? “Pro football, my favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons. We had a tough year this year, but that’s my favorite pro team. Pro basketball, I don’t have a favorite team, but I just really enjoy watching it no matter who’s playing because they’re all amazing athletes. My favorite players are LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. I used to play baseball, and I loved baseball. At one time I was a better
baseball player than basketball player. My favorite baseball player is Ken Griffey Jr., and I’ll never let anyone be better than him. I don’t really follow it as much as I used to, but my favorite team is still the Cincinnati Reds.” Are there any other basketball players you really enjoy watching or try to model your game after? “Not anyone in particular. I watch a lot of the games, and I just look at how players play in different situations. Kobe Bryant’s a great scorer, and a lot of times in the game I try to score like Kobe Bryant with the way he attacks the game and knowing when to shoot. LeBron James, he’s also a great passer and his athleticism is great, and Kevin Durant also. Obviously I’m not as big as those guys, but they’re guys that everyone looks up to. If I were to model my game like anyone it would probably be Allen Iverson because we’re the same size, or Chris Paul.” What was it about Clemson that appealed to you when you were making a decision on where to attend college? “It was definitely playing in the ACC and getting a chance to play against what I think is the best competition in America. The coaching staff — Coach (Earl) Grant, Coach (Brad) Brownell — really sold Clemson so well to me. Just the family atmosphere, and that’s what did it for me.” This year, you’re currently third on the team in scoring average. How does it feel to prove the naysayers wrong that questioned your ability to play at this level? “It’s not so much proving them wrong, it’s just believing in myself. I think a lot of times we’re told we can’t do something, and we somewhat just forget about our dreams and don’t believe it. I just said I’m going to take this risk and really believe that I can do it, so I believe in myself and every day when I go out there, I believe in myself that I can do it. It’s showing on the court and I continue to do it, and I try to instill in my teammates to believe in themselves and as a team believe in ourselves. We were picked 14th in the ACC, and we’re having a pretty decent season so far, so it’s all about believing in yourself.” What is your best memory from your career here at Clemson? “Definitely beating Duke, so far. Beating Duke this year and having the students rush the court, having everyone sing the alma mater with you, it was great.” Outside of basketball, what do you think you’ll remember most about Clemson once you’re done? “Definitely the friendships. Just all the friends I’ve made even over the past two years. I think they’ll be lifelong friendships, and I think that’s what I would take the most from it. Also, just the lessons you learn every day.” — by Gavin Oliver, photos by Rex Brown/IPTAY Media
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DO N O R SPOTLI G H T
When did you become a Clemson fan? “In 1966, I married Frank McGee (’63) from Anderson. Being from New York and attending a university where football was not played, that first home football game was all it took for me to fall in love with the Clemson game-day experience.” Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “Frank, who passed away in 2003, was already a member when we married. He wanted to give back to the school that provided him the ability to succeed in the paper industry. We entertained customers on home football weekends.”
Kathy McGee
What is your favorite game day tradition? “Watching the players get off the buses as they prepare to run down The Hill. Before the addition of the West Zone, I could see the players board the buses.” Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “Most of my answers pertain to football, but baseball is my favorite sport. I guess that is from growing up in New York where there was such a rivalry between the Yankees and Dodgers. There have been so many baseball players who have represented Clemson well in Major League Baseball. Tyler Colvin is my most recent favorite.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “Coach Bill Wilhelm. My daughter, Elise, was a bat girl in the early ’90s. I recently made a donation to IPTAY in memory of Frank for the new baseball complex.” What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson? “This takes on a different perspective for me as I live in Clemson. Tailgating is a favorite thing for family and friends who come here on football weekends. My daughter, English Holland, and her family live in Virginia so they don’t come as often as they did when they lived in South Carolina. Elise lives here now, so I look forward to her attending baseball games next season. Frank’s cousin’s family, the Furses from Manning, are regular tailgaters for football.” Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “Being a member of IPTAY allows one to experience the wonderful traditions here at Clemson. The most exciting 25 seconds in college football, the prestige of our golf programs and the success of many of our sports have put Clemson on the map. Academic excellence is enhanced by the scholarships that donating to IPTAY affords. I am proud of the graduation rate of our athletes. Athletic success is a big factor at Clemson University, but achieving a degree is the crowning achievement of the student-athlete attending Clemson.”
Kathy with daughters English Holland and Elise McGee at UV A game in 2013.
Current Hometown:
Seneca, SC
Years of Membership:
50 Years
— compiled by Victoria Reid
Kathy McGee and family (L-R): Elise McGee, Mac Holland, Mary Elise Holland, Miles Holland, Wrenn Holland, English Holland.
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Kathy with Elise in 2013.
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FEBRUARY 2014
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REPRESEN TATI V E SPOTLI G H T
When did you become a Clemson fan? “Well, I will have to admit that I was not born a Tiger fan having been born a Tar Heel. However, my parents moved to Barnwell when I was the ripe young age of 11, and I was exposed to Clemson while in high school then our band would participate in what was then Band Day at Clemson. A large number of high school bands came and filled the two end sections of the north stands of Death Valley and performed at halftime. Well, my love for Clemson stemmed from those visits. Even in those days, there was ‘something in these hills.’”
Jim Wilder
Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “As we were living in middle Georgia about four hours away with three small children, we did not attend football games regularly. Then in 1977 Clemson was hosting Notre Dame, and I wanted to see that game badly. Well, it was sold out and I could not find any tickets, but ventured up anyway of in hopes to pick up some tickets. I was unsuccessful, so Celeste and I with three children sat in the car in the parking lot and listened to the game on the radio. That cured me! I joined IPTAY and started buying season tickets and have continued ever since. We enjoyed staying at the Holiday Inn on weekends and having breakfast with Danny Ford and Frank Howard. Oh, the stories those two could tell!” What is your favorite game day tradition? “Coming up early, setting up our tent and TV, and hanging out with our family and lots of IPTAY friends, and leaving late. It is a lot easier now that we have moved back to Clemson from Laurens. Celeste and I got married after high school and first moved to Clemson for me to get my degree.” Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “Boy, now that is a hard one after almost 40 years, but I would have to say it would be C.J. Spiller. He gave a lot to Clemson when he was here and continues to come back and support Clemson Athletics.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “That is also a difficult decision. Our son played in the band while Danny Ford was coaching and won the National Championship, but I still have to tip my hat to Dabo Swinney, as I have gotten to know him and what he stands for. Dabo is dedicated to this university and wants it to be an example for other universities to set as their goal for achievement.” What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson? “As we live here now, I can do it all any time. In the past, however, we always wanted to visit the campus and especially go by the P&A building and view the site of our little “matchbox” house where we lived. The house has long been gone, but the big tree that was in our yard is still there.”
Jim Wilder and wife Ce leste.
Current Hometown:
Clemson, SC
Years of Membership:
37 Years
Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “Anyone who has attended Clemson University and enjoyed the benefits to their lives the education they received here has provided them needs to give back a little something to this university, whether through IPTAY or the Alumni Fund. We can say that it made a big difference in our lives, and we wish we could do more.”
— compiled by Victoria Reid
Jim Wilder and great grandson Ayden Dykes from Valdosta, GA.
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Jim Wilder’s grandchildren Will and Perrieanne Ginn from Dacula, GA.
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N E W DO N O R SPOTLI G H T
When did you become a Clemson fan? “If it’s possible to be a Clemson fan at conception, it was then. No other school had a chance within my family.”
Spencer Broome
Why did you get involved with IPTAY? “My family has been involved for years, but I wanted to give back to a place I have a lot of love for and to help others experience what is special about Clemson.” What is your favorite game day tradition? “Touching Howard’s Rock and running down The Hill. There is no other choice.” Who is your favorite all-time student-athlete? “There are a lot of great ones, but it’s hard not to say C.J. Spiller.” Who is your favorite Clemson coach? “All of our current coaches — they are trying to make Clemson better right now.”
Spencer Broome and his parents at a home football game in 2013.
What is one thing you always do when you come to Clemson? “You know you’re back when you swing by Bowman Field, so I always try to drive or walk by the front door to campus.”
Current Hometown:
Why should someone who is not an IPTAY member join? “If you want to make Clemson competitive on the national landscape and play a part in passing along the Clemson experience to another person, it just makes sense.”
Years of Membership:
Atlanta, Ga 1 Year
— compiled by Victoria Reid
The Purple Out game against The Citadel in Death Valley.
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Tailgating with friends at a home football game in 2012.
��� IPTAY Upcoming Events Schedule April 12, 2014, 3:00 PM: Orange and White Spring Football Game May 17, 2014: IPTAY Annual Meeting June 15, 2014: Final IPTAY Donation Due July 1, 2014: IPTAY 2015 Begins
When it comes to planning your estate, listen to the Greek philosopher who said, “Nothing is permanent but change.” In order for you to make the proper choices in your estate plans, let us help. Through a well-planned bequest you can help make Clemson Athletics embrace change. Keep your focus on your goals. Some examples are: 1. The importance of a will and including Clemson Athletics 2. Types of bequests 3. Charitable bequests 4. Techniques for planning bequests For a free brochure or pdf on Planning Your Bequest, please call or e-mail Bert Henderson, 864-656-2973 or berthso@clemson.edu.
Planning Your Estate
DID YOU KNOW? The first meeting of IPTAY took place in Dr. Rupert Fike’s living room at his house in Atlanta. Nine of his friends were in attendance. The next day he informed Coach Neely of the meeting. Harper Gault from Rock Hill, SC was the first person to serve as both IPTAY President and Alumni President. Since that time Lawrence Starkey, Don Golightly and Fred Faircloth have served in both positions.
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IN GOOD HANDS Clemson’s two baseball coaches from the last half-century HAVE BOTH GARNERED HONORS RECENTLY by Steven Bradley , IPTAY Media
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alking through the locker room in Doug Kingsmore Stadium, something catches Jack Leggett’s watchful eye that disturbs him. Workout clothes and gym bags are strewn in front of a few lockers, and the Clemson baseball coach pauses to survey the scene. He makes a mental note of the players he suspects are responsible and mutters, “They’ll hear about this later.” The mess is a relatively small one, the kind most would assume is not unusual for a space shared by a few dozen college-age males, and the Tigers are still days from opening preseason practice for the 2014 season. But Leggett hasn’t taken 19 teams to the NCAA Tournament and six to the College World Series during his two decades as the Tigers’ skipper by letting things slide. The secret to success, at least for his program, lies in the details, large and small. “It’s all part of it,” Leggett said. “How they handle themselves is a big deal.” Garrett Boulware was not among the culprits in the locker room untidiness, but as he enters his junior season, the Tigers’ power-hitting backstop says he figured out quickly that life would be much easier as a player in Clemson’s program by doing things the way Leggett wants them done. “He’s definitely an old-school guy,” Boulware said, “and he’s tough. But it’s good for a lot of players these days. A lot of kids never grew up with that. It makes you grow up. It turns you into a man, honestly. It helps you handle adversity. I’ve loved playing here for three years. It’s been tough sometimes, but it’s made me a better person for it.”
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here was no such thing as a coachin-waiting when Leggett became one. He’d been the head coach at Western Carolina for nine years and Vermont for five before that when legendary longtime Clemson Head Coach Bill Wilhelm offered him what some might consider a demotion — the chance to be his assistant. But there was one important caveat. “Coach Wilhelm had indicated to me that if I came over and did a good job for a couple of years — two or three years — that things could work out to me being the head coach when he retired,” Leggett said, “and I thought it was a short enough period of time at that point to take that chance.”
Leggett already had 377 wins as a head coach and had led Western Carolina to five NCAA Tournaments and five Southern Conference titles. Still, he came aboard as Wilhelm’s recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach in 1992 and helped direct the Tigers to two NCAA Regionals and an ACC Tournament title in 1993 before he took the reins when Wilhelm retired after that season. “I’d never been an assistant coach,” Leggett said, “so it was really good for me to do it. I did the majority of the recruiting and worked really hard with him on practice plans and so forth and got to know the players, so the transition was really smooth.”
gram and, ‘What do we have to do to get to your program? How can we make our program as solid as your program?’ Clemson baseball is looked at in a really positive light throughout the country. I know that our people appreciate it, and I hope they do appreciate that because it’s something I’m really proud of.”
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wo decades later, it’s clear the move worked out well for all involved. Leggett has won 887 games across 20 years as Clemson’s head coach — only five programs in the nation have won more in that span — and he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Clemson is one on Jan. 3, 2014 in of the nation’s 10 Dallas, Texas. winningest baseball Leggett pulled programs during double duty at the Leggett’s tenure. ABCA meeting, as Photo by Glenn Spake he gave lectures on infield play, complete with a PowerPoint presentation and video demonstrating fundamentals and drills to improve infielders, while also speaking at the Hall of Fame banquet. As he finished his first discussion on infield play and moved to another room to do it again, Leggett noticed something — many of the coaches in attendance moved to the next room with him. “I have 200 people leave from one room to another to listen again and then move to another room to listen again,” he said. “Then, I get emails from maybe 50 people that want to know more about our pro-
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he question of which of his 20 previous Tiger teams was the best isn’t one Leggett can answer simply. He narrows it down to the six that advanced to Omaha, but can make an argument for any of those six beyond that. “I would say the most talented team we had was in 2002, when we had Khalil (Greene) and Jeff Baker and Michael Johnson, and Steve Reba and Matt Henrie on the mound,” Leggett said. “We had some really good players, especially on offense. It was an exciting offensive team. The best pitching squad might have been in 1996 FEBRUARY 2014
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Above: Clemson has had two coaches over the last half-century, Leggett and Wilhelm. Photo courtesy Clemson Athletic Communications At right: Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich (L) and President Jim Clements recognize Leggett for his ABCA Hall of Fame induction at a men’s basketball game in January. Photo by Rex Brown/IPTAY Media
with (Kris) Benson, (Billy) Koch and (Ken) Vining. That rotation was pretty good on the weekend. “But we’ve had a lot of really good players that have pieced together some great years. All the Omaha teams we’ve had involved some All-Americans — Ryan Mottl pitching in 2000, when he was really good for us; Tyler Colvin, in 2006, who got some big hits for us; in ’95 and ’96, we just had a lot of really good athletes that played well together for a long period of time; and we had a really good team in 2010, when we won it (Super Regional) on our field here. We had some guys that are playing in the big leagues; we had some guys who were really good players for us and a good coaching staff.”
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lemson has only had two baseball coaches over the past half-century, and both of them received major honors recently. While Leggett was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame, Wilhelm was inducted into the Clemson Athletics Ring of Honor posthumously last fall and will be honored at a baseball game this spring. “He deserves it,” Leggett said. “He spent 36 years of his life here and was committed to Clemson and committed to doing things the right way for the baseball program and for the athletic department, so he is certainly a fitting
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“Clemson’s had two head coaches in 57 years, which is kind of unique. I think it’s something that everybody should be proud of, and I’m proud to carry on things in a positive direction.” — jack leggett —
recipient of that award. It’s one of those things that — Clemson’s had two head coaches in 57 years, which is kind of unique. I think it’s something that everybody should be proud of, and I’m proud to carry on things in a positive direction.” Wilhelm passed away in 2010, and since his death has been named to the Clemson Hall of Fame, the state of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. He coached Clemson for 36 years (1958-93), and 20 years after his retirement, he is still the winningest coach in ACC baseball history. Even after he retired, Wilhelm remained close to the program. Current Assistant Head Coach Bradley LeCroy came to Clemson as a player in 1997 — Leggett’s fourth year at the helm — and says the team always enjoyed it when he stopped by practice a couple of times each week after one of his daily rounds of golf at nearby Boscobel. “He was a great man, had a great sense of humor and loved telling stories,” LeCroy said. “We always loved when he came to practice before practice because that meant he was going to eat up about 30 or 45 minutes telling stories. But it was great to have him around the program, and obviously he’s sorely missed not having him around anymore.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 ���
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E
very time Leggett goes on a recruiting visit, he carries a calculator. While some Division I sports have plenty of scholarships to go around, even a small percentage of a scholarship is a precious commodity to a college baseball coach. Football teams have 85 scholarships to work with — more than enough to give every player on the two-deep depth chart a full ride — and women’s basketball teams, for example, are allotted 15 scholarships, enough to field a first, second and third string of full-scholarship athletes. Baseball, on the other hand, has 11.7 scholarships to work with for a team that must include 27 scholarship players, each of whom is required to have at least 25 percent of a scholarship. Few, if any, players are on full scholarship, and those select few need to be a surefire Friday night starter in your rotation or a legitimate difference maker in the middle of the lineup. In many ways, that makes Clemson’s consistent success over the past two decades — 19 NCAA Tournaments and six College World Series trips in 20 years — all the more impressive, if not downright astounding. “There’s so much parity in college baseball now with the scholarships and scholarship limits,” Leggett said. “There’s a lot of schools that are excited because they’ve brought everybody to the same level, so it makes it a little more difficult than it was a while back, when you’d just be able to roll out the ball in the middle of the week and have more talent and win the game.”
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hat parity in college baseball is exactly what Leggett believes makes hard work and attention to detail so important, and that includes making sure the locker room is clean and players are clean-shaven. “I’m very proud about how our players look on the field,” he said. “To me, it’s a representation of what Clemson’s all about and the athletic department and our program. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask kids to be disciplined. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask kids to look sharp. I don’t think it’s wrong to have kids’ uniforms look the same. “Our kids have fun with it. They understand what this program’s all about. They’ve chosen to come to school here over lots of other places that might’ve been cheaper to go to school or bigger scholarships or whatever. So, I’m proud about how we conduct our program.”
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Junior staff ace Daniel Gossett admitted that playing in Leggett’s program isn’t for everyone, but said that was the reason he was attracted to Clemson — and the reason many of his Tiger teammates were attracted to Clemson, as well. “It’s a blessing. It’s an experience,” Gossett said. “Everybody knows Coach Leggett is one of the most highly touted coaches in the game. To be able to play for him is an honor. He’s carried on a tradition of winning here, and he knows how to get it done.” Leggett began his 21st season as head coach at Clemson on Feb. 14, when the Tigers hosted Eastern Michigan at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. He opened the season with 1,264 career wins — 11th-most in NCAA history among Division I coaches and fifth-most among active coaches — and has coached 110 players who have either been drafted or signed a professional contract, including 11 first-round draft picks.
Leggett is pictured with his current staff (at top) and the other Hall of Fame inductees at the ABCA Convention in January. Photos courtesy American Baseball Coaches Association
But when asked which of his achievements makes him the most proud, Leggett said that it isn’t necessarily the accomplishments he’s proud of, as much as it’s how he has accomplished them. “I just want this program to be known as a first-class program with kids who work hard and that conduct themselves the way that they’re supposed to on the field and off and that they have the respect of everybody that they play against every single time and that they go out on the field and make all the former alumni and former players proud to be associated with this program,” he said. “Those are the things that are the most important to me.”
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THEY CHANGED CLEMSON 26
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Head Coach Dabo Swinney was doused in Gatorade as Clemson put the final touches on a 40-35 victory over No. 6 Ohio State in the Orange Bowl.
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is hair and sweatshirt still soaked with orange Gatorade, Dabo Swinney settled into his seat for the postgame news conference at the Orange Bowl in the wee hours of Jan. 4 and couldn’t help but reflect on the last time he had taken the same stage. “Two years ago, it was probably unthinkable for a lot of people when I sat at this same podium after that butt whipping we took, that we would be 22-4 since that night,” Clemson’s head coach said. “We talked after that last trip that it wouldn’t be 30 years before we got back. We came back, and we found a way to win.”
Orange Bowl triumph cements legacy for outgoing Tigers by Steven Bradley , IPTAY Media | photos by Rex Brown , IPTAY Media
By doing it, the Tigers fully exorcised any lingering demons from that 70-33 defeat to West Virginia in the 2012 Orange Bowl and nabbed their first BCS win in the process. As Swinney spoke, some of the players who were directly responsible for making it happen filtered into the room and took the stage beside him. Senior quarterback Tajh Boyd took the seat immediately to Swinney’s right after he posted 505 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in his final game in a Clemson uniform. “Five years ago I signed 12 guys, and I didn’t have really much of a resumé as a head coach,” Swinney said. “It wasn’t very sexy to come to Clemson. But we had a plan, a vision, a hope and a belief, and these guys believed, starting with Tajh Boyd.” Boyd won his 32nd game with the 40-35 victory over the sixth-ranked Buckeyes, tying the school record for wins in a career by a starting quarterback. It was also Boyd’s eighth career win over a top-25 team, which set another school record. “I told him, ‘Tajh, here’s the plan. If you’ll believe in me, we’ll change Clemson. We’ll change it. It’s not going to be easy. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we will change Clemson,’” Swinney said, recalling his recruiting pitch to Boyd. “To see him finish his career tonight with an exclamation point like he did and leave here as the winningest quarterback in
dynamic passing tandem in school history, junior wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who set Clemson and Orange Bowl records for receptions and receiving yards in a game with 16 catches for 227 yards and two scores. “It was definitely important for this university to get a win,” Watkins said, “and the coaches preached that all during the process of practicing. I wanted to go out there and have fun, go out with a bang and just finish off my legacy here — and I definitely did that.” Not to deflect attention from the team, Watkins declined to confirm he’d also played his last game as a Tiger, saying he’d talk to his parents and coaches back in Clemson. Swinney had a pretty good idea how that talk might go. “It will be a real short conversation, if he’s going to talk to me,” he laughed. Watkins set a slew of records in the game, including the school’s career record for receptions with 240, eight more than Above: Tajh Boyd Aaron Kelly had between cemented his legacy 2005-08. with 505 yards of He also set the school total offense and six single-season record for touchdowns in the Orange Bowl, where he receiving yardage in the tied Rodney Williams as game, as he finished with Clemson’s winningest 1,464, breaking the requarterback in history cord of 1,405 by DeAndre with 32 victories. Hopkins last season. “For the offense, we At left: Sammy played probably the best Watkins set Orange game we could have played Bowl records with 16 minus the turnovers,” receptions for 227 Watkins said. “Tajh played yards. He ended his career with 240 career one of his best games, the offensive line played great, receptions, most in and the receivers and runschool history, in just ning backs made plays.” three seasons.
the history of our school — he tied Rodney Williams — there’s not a more deserving guy out there, and he did it in three years as our starting quarterback. He’s special.” To Boyd’s right sat the game’s Most Valuable Player and the other half of the most
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At left: One of Clemson’s promising young players, tight end Stanton Seckinger, provided the go-ahead score for the Tigers with this fourthquarter touchdown reception from Boyd. Above: Watkins and Boyd were all smiles talking to ESPN’s broadcast crew following the monumental victory over the Buckeyes.
The following Monday, Watkins made it official he would forgo his senior year with a news release, and that Friday, a week after he had turned in the best outing in a career full of outstanding ones, he met with the Clemson media one last time. “I want to thank this community and all these fans for standing behind Clemson and being all in,” Watkins said. “It’s been a pleasure being here these last three years and growing as a young man. I think I have maximized my opportunity here for my three years, and I thank everyone on the staff. Clemson Nation did a great job of supporting me.” Truth be told, although he gave noncommittal responses for weeks about his future in order to keep the focus on the team, Watkins’ departure for the NFL had been all but a foregone conclusion for some time. It even became a running joke between he and Swinney. “Once it got to around the ninth or 10th game, Coach always joked with me, ‘Are you staying another year? Are you staying another year?’ So we definitely knew that this time was going to come,” Watkins said. “It’s a blessing to know the coaches support me, the fans support me, and the staff supports me.” Shortly after the two offensive players took their seats, they were joined by two of the defensive guys who made sure the turnovers Watkins had mentioned earlier didn’t come
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back to haunt them. Senior linebacker Spencer Shuey, immediately to the right of Watkins, came up with a key turnover on Ohio State’s penultimate possession after Bashaud Breeland hit quarterback Braxton Miller and popped the ball loose. Shuey snagged it out of the air to give the Tigers the ball back with 3:12 to go and a five-point lead. To his right, junior linebacker Stephone Anthony made the play that sealed the deal with 1:18 left, an interception after the Buckeyes had been given new life with a Tiger miscue. “It goes back to getting the stops when we needed them,” Anthony said. “They were going to make some plays. I like the way we bounced back and kept responding to the adversity by getting the stops, especially the two big turnovers at the end of the game.” In addition to forcing four second-half turnovers, Clemson also registered five sacks and 10 tackles for loss on the night as it harassed Miller and the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense consistently. By doing it, the defense put to rest once and for all the questions it had been forced to endure on an endless loop since it allowed 595 yards and 70 points in the same game two years earlier. Playing in complement to an offense that scores points and snaps the ball as quickly as
the Tigers is never conducive to gaudy defensive stats, but Brent Venables’ unit made the plays when they mattered most — forcing four Buckeye punts in the first half and four turnovers in the second. “Hearing how it was going to be such a high-scoring game and a shootout definitely put a little chip on our shoulder,” Shuey said, “and we definitely took a little offense to that and knew that we were better than that. We knew that we wanted to hold them to as few points as possible. “They were able to put up 35 points, but what I’m really happy and proud about is when we were able to make big plays in the critical times, that we were able to come up with those sacks and come up with those interceptions and turnovers. I was definitely proud of the defense and proud of the offense for having our back.” Of course, not every player who contributed to the victory is departing. Anthony, for instance, announced the week after the Orange Bowl that he plans to return, as did Corey Crawford, who had five tackles, a tackle for loss and two passes broken up in the win over Ohio State. On Jan. 15, the final day to declare for the draft, defensive end Vic Beasley followed suit in opting to stay at Clemson for one more year. Beasley was a consensus first-team All-
“All these seniors, they changed Clemson. And how do you measure people or their legacy? How do they impact the people? How do they impact the place that they were at? They’ve changed this place.” — dabo swinney — American in 2013, and he had a strong game against Ohio State with four tackles for loss — the most ever by a Clemson player in a bowl game — and a sack. “I was really still 50-50 going into the bowl game and after the bowl game,” Beasley said. “The most important thing was getting my education, and secondly, just maximizing my opportunity as a player. It was just hard for me to leave Clemson University without my degree and not being the best player I know I can be.” In addition to Watkins, two more Tiger juniors departed for the professional ranks – receiver Martavis Bryant and defensive back Breeland. Bryant closed his career with three catches for 28 yards and two scores in the bowl victory, while Breeland had eight tackles, including the sack that led to Shuey’s fumble recovery. Clemson finished the season with 11 wins for the second consecutive year, the first time it has won at least 11 games in consecutive seasons, and also became the only team in the nation to beat a top-10 team in a bowl game each of the last two years. “All these seniors, they changed Clemson,” Swinney said. “And how do you measure people or their legacy? How do they impact the people? How do they impact the place that they were at? They’ve changed this place. “We didn’t quite get to the top of the mountain like we wanted, but we can see it. (In the Orange Bowl) we took another step forward, and I’m just so proud of these guys.” And none more so than Boyd, the blue-chip quarterback who signed on to be the face of Swinney’s program despite the head coach having yet to win a game without an interim tag on his title. “He set the standard for every quarterback to come through Clemson,” Swinney said. “He’s got every record in the book at Clemson. He’s got a bunch of records in the ACC. And he’s done it with class. He’s done it with great integrity and great character. He put an exclamation point on his legacy.” For Boyd, who set a Clemson bowl record with five touchdown passes, he could hardly have scripted a better ending to his career. “I couldn’t pick a better way to go out as a senior. And these guys right here, these are the guys I play for,” he said and nodded toward Watkins, Shuey and Anthony. “When we step on the field, we give it everything we’ve got. Not for anybody else, but for these guys beside us. What a special way to go out.” At top: No player harassed Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller better than linebacker Spencer Shuey, who finished second on the 2013 team with 119 tackles. At right: Vic Beasley, who announced he was returning to Clemson for his senior season several days after the Ohio State win, recorded 23 tackles for loss and 13 sacks during a consensus All-America junior campaign.
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COMMITTED Clemson inks another ballyhooed class on drama-free signing day by Steven Bradley , IPTAY Media | photos by Rex Brown , IPTAY Media
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s Clemson’s recruiting coordinator, Jeff Scott gets asked about recruiting by fans all the time. But while taking in the Tiger men’s basketball team’s game against Georgia Tech on Feb. 4, the same question kept coming up to Scott over and over. Why are you at the basketball game the night before National Signing Day? “I said, ‘Well, one reason is, when your fivestar quarterback is already on campus, you can sleep a little bit easier,’” Scott recounted after the Tigers’ 2014 class was signed, sealed and delivered the following afternoon. The five-star quarterback in question, Gainesville, GA product Deshaun Watson, in many ways epitomizes Clemson’s signing class. Watson called Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney exactly two years earlier, National Signing Day 2012, and gave his verbal commitment. He remained on board all the way through the process and enrolled at Clemson in January, eschewing the chance to bask in the spotlight of a signing-day announcement on national television — something a player regarded as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country certainly could’ve commanded — for the opportunity to get to campus and begin preparing to compete for a starting job. “It’s huge because it gives him a realistic chance,” Swinney said. “Cole Stoudt and Chad Kelly are elite players. In my opinion, they’re both next-level players regardless of what happens with our quarterback situation. So for him to be able to come in and go through spring ball, that gives him a better chance to compete than if he just came in in August.” Watson is one of five mid-year enrollees who
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were part of the Tigers’ 2014 class, but all 22 members of the class had either been public verbal commitments for weeks — some much longer — or given Clemson’s coaching staff assurances they would sign well before the appointed day. “It says a lot about the character of the young men that we have signed — a guy like Deshaun Watson, for example, who stayed committed to us for three years being the No. 1 quarterback in the country with a who’s who coming through there just trying to get him to open (his recruitment) back up,” Scott said. “With none of these guys choosing to de-commit, I think it tells us a lot about their character because we’re in a time when that is becoming a more common occurrence.” Both Swinney and Scott indicated the 2014
Recruiting Coordinator Jeff Scott and the Tiger football coaches hauled in another top-15 signing class this year.
signing class was unique for its stability. In an effort to prevent recruits either wavering or backing out on commitments, the first thing Swinney does when a recruit wants to give his pledge to the Tigers is try to talk him out of it. Swinney begins by explaining what making a commitment truly means and will only accept the commitment if he believes the player understands and accepts his terms. “Last year we had our fair share of (de-commitments), so that was very frustrating when you deal with some of that,” Swinney said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 35 ���
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ORANGE: THE EXPERIENCE
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“But things work out the way they’re supposed to, and this year we did a great job of identifying the right kind of guys. We’re bringing in some high-character guys. We are blessed because we’re getting great players, great people and great families coming into our program.” The final piece of Clemson’s 2014 class, 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end Richard Yeargin of Lauderdale Lakes, FL, announced he would be a Tiger during a signing day ceremony at his school, but told the coaching staff he was coming well before. Yeargin had been committed elsewhere early in his recruiting process, and Clemson, which had been his first scholarship offer, stopped pursuing him at that point to respect his commitment. But the U.S. Army All-American couldn’t shake his interest in Clemson and ultimately realized he’d made a mistake in choosing another school. “He’s a great kid, and he was really in a tough situation,” Swinney said. “He actually called us and wanted to take a visit, and Brent (Venables) asked if I’d let him come take a visit. I talked to the kid, and after his visit, he was very up front, saying, ‘Man, this is where I want to be.’ He’s a very smart, bright guy with great upside. He’s a long, lean 6-foot-4 athlete who I think is going to be a heck of a player, so that is a big pickup for us.” The only other late addition to Clemson’s class was 6-foot-3 Durham, NC, receiver Trevion Thompson, who committed to the Tigers on his official visit in January. A consensus national top-160 recruit, Thompson is one of four four-star receivers joining the program in 2014. With Clemson losing its top two receivers, Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant, to the NFL Draft after their junior years, there was clearly a need to restock the talent at that spot, something the coaching staff had been preparing to do for some time. “We knew that if we waited until a month after the Orange Bowl to figure out how (to replace Watkins and Bryant), we were going to be in trouble,” Scott said. “I knew after Sammy’s first practice that he wasn’t going to be around here very long.” With that in mind, three of the Tigers’ wide receiver signees arrived on campus the week after the team arrived back from Miami, the site of its Orange Bowl win over Ohio State, and began classes. Artavis Scott, a 5-foot-11 wide receiver from Oldsmar, FL, is ranked as Clemson’s secondbest signee by some services, and 6-foot-1 Demarre Kitt of Fayetteville, GA, is also ranked among the top 200 players in the nation by four major services, while 6-foot-1 Kyrin Pries-
ter is ranked as the No. 3 prep school player in the nation out of Fork Union Military. “(Wide receiver) was a critical need for us,” Swinney said. “We signed four guys, and I’m really excited about all four of those guys. Having three of them here is a big-time blessing because we get to coach them all spring, and by August, it should be like they’ve all had a redshirt year. We needed an influx of talent there, and I believe we hit a home run.”
fensive players and 10 play an offensive skill position: a quarterback, three running backs, four receivers and two tight ends. Watson is the highest-ranked signee in the class, the 16th-best prospect in the nation according to ESPN.com, and is set to compete for the starting job vacated by Tajh Boyd. Swinney was asked if Watson is good enough to win the job as a true freshman. “Is he good enough? Absolutely,” he said.
The fifth mid-year enrollee in Clemson’s class is 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker Chris Register from Dudley High in Greensboro, NC, the same school that produced Tiger legend Jeff Davis. Swinney said Register will wear No. 45, the same number that Davis wore, and while he has the size to grow into a defensive lineman, will begin as a middle linebacker for the Tigers. “There’s nothing wrong with having a big MIKE linebacker,” Swinney said. “Forty-five was a number that was open, and he was from the same high school up there that Jeff Davis came from. I love Chris Register. He is a fullgrown man and he is a great kid. I can tell you two things about him — he’s going to be a low-maintenance player, and he’s going to be tough. Hopefully, he can do some good things with that No. 45 and overcome that other guy that wore it years ago.” In all, Clemson had 23 names on its National Signing Day Big Board — the 22 signees and Kurt Fleming, a running back who was once drafted as a centerfielder by the Atlanta Braves and will join the team as 22-year-old freshman — to comprise its fourth straight top-15 class, a claim only seven other schools in the country can make. Of Clemson’s 22 signees, 12 of them are of-
Dabo Swinney referenced the 2009 signing class as an indicator of how far the program has come with regard to its recruiting efforts.
“He’s definitely good enough. But so are those other guys.” The Tigers signed nine players from South Carolina, six from Georgia, four from North Carolina, two from Florida and one from Maryland. While the class was heavy on offensive skill talent, there are also six linebackers, two offensive linemen, a kicker, a safety, a defensive end and a defensive tackle. “We really had no drama, and I love no drama,” Swinney said. “I know there are a lot of people out there who want drama, but I love it when guys know what they are going to do and stay firm with that throughout the process. “This year we were just really on a great group of young men that knew what they wanted, were very focused on what they wanted and had great support systems at home. In some scenarios we’ve dealt with in the past, that was not the case. This was one of those years you enjoy, and I don’t have any doubt that this will be one of the best groups that we’ve signed — if not the best group.” FEBRUARY 2014
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2014 Clemson Tiger football
SIGNEES
Adam Choice RB, 5-10, 200 Thomasville, GA Thomas County Central HS Before Clemson: Cousin of NFL running back Tashard Choice, who played at Georgia Tech and in the NFL with Buffalo, and nephew of former Buffalo Bills and Georgia Tech running back Joe Burns ... Choice was an option quarterback in high school who started for three years, he is school’s all-time leading rusher with 5,095 yards ... broke record that had been held by Burns ... had outstanding senior year with 191 carries for 1,521 yards rushing and 14 scores, 8.0 yards per carry ... did that in just 10 games, averaging 152 yards per game on the ground ... as a passer, completed 31-57 for 522 yards and seven TDs with just one interception ... had best passer rating in the region at 168.3 ... also led the region in rushing ... had at least 100 yards rushing in every game but one and had a pair of games with over 200 ... had season-high 258 yards rushing in just three quarters against Harris County to break the record ... had career high 314 yards rushing against Lee County as a sophomore ... ranked as a top-125 player in the nation by Rivals.com, he is the No. 10 running back in the nation and ranked as seventh best player in the state of Georgia by Rivals.com ... named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Super 11 Team for the preseason of 2013 along with Clemson signee Deshaun Watson ... received overall grade of 90 by 247Sports.com ... played quarterback in high school, but will be a running back once he enrolls at Clemson ... rushed for 1,622 yards and 19 TDs his sophomore season (2011) and 1,658 yards and 23 TDs as a junior (2012) ... as a junior, made first-team all-state at the 5A level ... had 600 yards passing and five TD passes in addition to his 1,658 yards rushing ... second-team all-state player as a senior, honorable mention as a junior ... 2014 US Army All-America Game nominee ... outstanding baseball player, he made the national finals of the MLB Pitch, Hit and Throw Competition at Yankee Stadium in 2008 ... just 12 years old at the time, he fielded fly balls during the home run derby at the All-Star Game ... committed to the Clemson program on May 22, 2013 ... recruited by Danny Pearman ... also had offers from Georgia, Auburn, Florida and Georgia Tech ... wore No. 2 in high school ... played his high school football for Bill Shaver. J.D. Davis LB, 6-2, 218 Clemson, SC • Daniel HS Before Clemson: Part of first twin brother combination to come to Clemson since Brandon and Byron Clear signed in February of 2007 ... his brother is Clemson linebacker signee Judah Davis ... son of former Tiger All-American, 1981 Na-
tional Championship team captain and College Football Hall of Famer Jeff Davis ... starting linebacker on Daniel High team that had a 14-1 record and went to the state championship game in 2013 ... high school teammate of Clemson running back signee Jae’lon Oglesby ... had outstanding senior year with 87 total tackles and a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown ... had eight for loss, three of which were sacks ... one of the reasons Daniel held 10 teams to 10 points or less and posted five shutouts ... recruited by Chad Morris ... wore No. 33 and played his high school football for Randy Robinson. Judah Davis LB, 6-2, 212 Clemson, SC • Daniel HS Before Clemson: Part of first twin brother combination to come to Clemson since Brandon and Byron Clear signed in February of 2007 ... his brother J.D. Davis is a member of 2014 signing class ... son of former Tiger All-American, 1981 National Championship team captain and College Football Hall of Famer Jeff Davis ... starting linebacker on Daniel High team that had a 14-1 record and went to the state championship game in 2013 ... high school teammate of Clemson running back signee Jae’lon Oglesby ... had outstanding senior year with 86 total tackles and a blocked punt that had a big impact in a key Daniel victory ... had 16 for loss, seven of which were sacks ... had nine quarterback hurries, second on the team ... one of the reasons Daniel held 10 teams to 10 points or less and posted five shutouts ... recruited by Chad Morris ... wore No. 36 and played his high school football for Randy Robinson. Justin Falcinelli OL, 6-5, 300 Middletown, MD Middletown HS Before Clemson: Offensive lineman who comes to Clemson from a winning program ... versatile player who can play guard and tackle on either side of the line of scrimmage ... a leader of a program that won state championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013 ... team was 41-1 over his three years as a starter, winning each of the last 36 games ... has a Middletown High teammate who will be a freshman at Florida State ... three-year
all-state player ... consensus first-team all-state as offensive tackle as junior and senior and first-team all-state as a defensive lineman as a sophomore ... played on both sides of the ball as a starter each of his last three years ... also played as a freshman on a team that reached state championship game ... ranked as 12th best player in state of Maryland by Rivals.com and 16th best player in the state by 247Sports. com ... recorded 108 tackles in his career on the defensive side of the ball, including 42 as a junior (2012) ... also an outstanding lacrosse athlete who will be four-year letterman for Middletown ... his ability to play lacrosse speaks well to his footwork ... member of the National Honor Society, Maryland Scholar and named an APEX Scholar ... his father, David, played one year of football at Notre Dame and is a Notre Dame graduate ... has a brother who is on academic scholarship as engineering student at University of Maryland ... recruited by Brent Venables ... also had offers from Maryland, Nebraska, Pittsburgh and Rutgers ... wore No. 73 in high school on the gridiron ... played his high school football for Kevin Lynott. C.J. Fuller RB, 5-11, 198 Easley, SC • Easley HS Before Clemson: Rated as No. 19 prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com ... four-star prospect by ESPN.com ... played both running back and cornerback at Easley High School ... helped Easley to the state playoffs three consecutive years, the first time that has happened in school history ... had outstanding career, he finished with 3,381 career rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns ... averaged 6.6 yards per carry and averaged 94 yards per game over his career ... had 712 rushing yards as a sophomore, second on the team ... averaged 6.1 yards per attempt ... also had an interception on defense ... one of the most productive running backs in the state as a junior when he gained 2,090 yards, a school record ... had 19 rushing scores in 2012, including 15 scores of 27 yards or more ... only tackled behind the line of scrimmage 13 times in 204 carries ... went over 150 yards eight times and had 149 yards in another ... had career high 309 rushing yards against Wren ... had three games of at least 223 yards over a four-week period ... had career-long run of 91 yards that year against Laurens ... team switched to a spread offense in 2013 and Fuller became more of a receiver ... had 579 yards rushing and led the team in receptions with 32 for 227 yards ... named secondteam All-State by SCVarsity.com in 2012 ... recruited by Chad Morris ... also had offers from North Carolina and NC State ... played for Chad Smith in 2011 and 2012, and for Grayson Howell in 2013. FEBRUARY 2014
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2014 TIGER FOOTBALL SIGNEES Jefferie Gibson S, 6-3, 191 Hope Mills, NC Gray’s Creek HS Before Clemson: Fine all-around athlete who is starter in football and basketball ... has great height for defensive back and it helps him on the hard court as well ... No. 19 player in the state of North Carolina by 247Sports.com ... committed to Clemson on August 31, 2013, the day Clemson defeated Georgia in Death Valley ... recorded 45 tackles and had three interceptions during his senior season (2013) ... had 10 career interceptions and returned three for touchdowns ... also had three punt returns for scores and two kickoff returns for scores ... during his junior season (2012), Gibson recorded 69 tackles and had four interceptions ... all-around player who had some time as quarterback as a senior ... had 149 yards rushing and 243 yards passing ... finished career with 123 tackles and nine interceptions ... has averaged 14 points a game in basketball over his career ... recruited by Dan Brooks ... also had offers from North Carolina, NC State and East Carolina ... wore No. 3 for Gray’s Creek High School ... played for David Lovette.
for the South Carolina team ... top tackler at BHP with 118 total tackles ... also had three for loss, a blocked punt, two interceptions and a recovered fumble ... also played some tailback in 2013, he had 47 rushes for 205 yards and six scores ... had 139 tackles, 13 for loss and 2.5 sacks as a junior (2012) ... posted 115 tackles, 15 for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble as a sophomore (2011) ... BHP had a 27-9 record in his three years as a starter ... ranked as No. 17 player in South Carolina by 247Sports.com and No. 20 prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com ... four-star prospect with an 80 grade and No. 18 inside linebacker in the nation by ESPN. com ... played basketball and ran track in high school in addition to playing football ... recruited by Chad Morris ... also had offers from Georgia Tech and Louisville ... wore No. 34 for Belton-Honea Path High School where he played for Russell Blackston.
and current Washington Redskins defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins ... also current Tigers C.J. Davidson, Deshawn Williams, D.J. Greenlee and Shaq Lawson are Daniel High School products ... former two-time All-America center Kyle Young is Daniel graduate ... Oglesby is rated the No. 4 prospect in South Carolina and No. 7 running back in the nation by Rivals.com ... that service also ranks him as No. 178 player in the nation ... ESPN.com has Oglesby as No. 223 overall player and No. 19 running back in the nation ... rushed for 2,176 yards with 21 TDs as a senior, he averaged an incredible 9.8 yards per carry ... also has good hands out of the backfield with 38 catches for 557 yards and six scores ... also completed a 65-yard touchdown pass during the season ... so he had 27 total touchdowns in 2013, helping Daniel to a 14-1 record and the state championship game ... it was first appearance for Daniel in state championship game in 15 years ... high school teammate of 2014 signees J.D. and Judah Davis ... had six rushes for 57 yards for victorious South Carolina team in Shrine Bowl ... posted 1,750 yards with 28 TDs as a junior in 2012 ... named second-team all-state by SCVarsity.com in 2012 and first-team all-state this year ... 2014 Army AllAmerica Game nominee ... recruited by Chad Morris ... also had offers from Tennessee and South Carolina ... wore No. 15 at Daniel High School where he played for Randy Robinson.
Taylor Hearn OL, 6-3, 305 Williston, SC Williston-Elko HS Before Clemson: Fine all-around athletic offensive lineman who was also the kicker for his Williston-Elko High School team ... also outstanding baseball player, another example of his athleticism ... named to the South Carolina Shrine Bowl team, he helped his high school team to 9-3 record, including 6-0 in the conference, and to the second round of the state playoffs ... ranked No. 15 prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com and No. 17 by ESPN.com ... good run-blocker that has strong upside and can play either at guard or tackle on the offensive line ... three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines for Williston-Elko ... committed to Clemson on Feb. 4, 2013, just after signing day a year ago ... fifth commitment to Dabo Swinney’s program in the class of 2014 ... on the baseball diamond, led his team in home runs with six and in pitching victories with seven ... attends same high school that produced current New Orleans Saints player Rafael Bush ... recruited by Marion Hobby ... also had offer from North Carolina ... wore No. 51 at Williston-Elko High School where he played for Dwayne Garrick.
Demarre Kitt WR, 6-1, 195 Fayetteville, GA Sandy Creek HS Enrolled at Clemson in January and will participate in spring practice in 2014. Before Clemson: Played in 2014 U.S. Army All-American game and had a 51-yard reception ... ranked among the top 200 players in the nation by the four major recruiting services ... one of four signees in this year’s class who can make that claim ... ranked No. 121 nationally by Rivals. com, No. 162 by 247Sports.com, No. 167 by ESPN.com and No. 187 by Scout.com ... ranked as 16th best wide receiver in the nation by Rivals.com ... listed as the ninth best player in the state of Georgia by Rivals.com, 11th by Max Preps, and 13th by 247Sports.com ... a four-star receiver by all services ... rated as the top wide receiver in Georgia by Atlanta Journal Constitution ... a three-year starter at Sandy Creek High School ... helped his team to 4A State Championship in 2012, and to 11-1-1 record in 2013 ... had 42 receptions for 641 yards and 10 scores as a sophomore ... had 68 catches for 1,151 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior ... finished senior year with 48 catches for 861 yards and seven scores as a senior ... averaged career best 18 yards a catch as a senior ... in his final three years, had 158 receptions for 2,663 yards and 28 scores ... also a good punt returner, had 306 career punt return yards and a 16.1 average per return ... graduate of same high school as current Detroit Lions All-Pro and former Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson ... recruited by Jeff Scott ... also had offers from Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and Florida ... Kitt wore No. 8 for Sandy Creek High School where he played for Chip Walker.
Kyrin Priester WR, 6-1, 185 Lilburn, GA Brookwood HS (Fork Union Military Academy) Enrolled at Clemson in January and will compete for playing time at wide receiver at spring practice in 2014 ... spent this past fall at Fork Union Military. Before Clemson: Ranked as the No. 3 prep school player in the nation in 2013 according to 247Sports.com ... same service listed Priester as first among prep school wide receivers ... three-star wide receiver according to Rivals.com coming out of high school ... had 56 receptions for 1,116 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns in 2012, his senior season at Brookwood High School ... ranked as No. 170 player in the nation by ESPN.com coming out of high school ... ESPN.com also listed him as 20th best wide receiver and 19th best player from state of Georgia ... PrepStar All-Southeast Region selection ... had 31-565 and five scores as a junior ... recruited by Mike Reed and Tony Elliott ... majoring in PRTM at Clemson ... recruited by Tony Elliott ... also had offers from Georgia, Ohio State, NC State and Mississippi ... played for coach Mark Crews at Brookwood High School ... played for John Shuman at Fork Union.
Kendall Joseph LB, 5-11, 228 Belton, SC Belton-Honea Path HS Before Clemson: Strong linebacker who has been a three-time state weightlifting champion ... led Belton-Honea Path High School to 11-2 record and third round of state playoffs in 2013 ... played in 2013 Shrine Bowl
Jae’lon Oglesby RB, 5-11, 175 Central, SC • Daniel HS Before Clemson: Shrine Bowl running back who was one of the top backs in the state of South Carolina in 2013 ... comes to Clemson from nearby Daniel High School ... that school has sent many gridders to Clemson, including current Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins,
Chris Register LB, 6-4, 240 Browns Summit, NC Dudley HS Enrolled at Clemson in January and will participate in spring practice in 2014. Before Clemson: Ranked among the top 300 players in the nation by Scout.com and 247Sports.com ... ranked as 11th best outside
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2014 TIGER FOOTBALL SIGNEES linebacker in the nation by 247Sports.com ... ranked as No. 24 outside linebacker by Rivals.com and 28th best by ESPN.com ... ranked as 13th best player in North Carolina by 247Sports.com ... Rivals.com lists him as 15th best player in North Carolina ... four-star recruit according to ESPN.com and 247Sports.com ... his Dudley High School team won North Carolina State Championship in 2013 and posted a perfect 15-0 season ... defeated Charlotte Catholic and All-America running back Elijah Hood in the semifinals ... played in 2013 Shrine Bowl for the North Carolina team ... named to USA Today All-State Team ... had five caused fumbles, 111 tackles and seven sacks as a junior ... had 89 tackles and 8.5 sacks as a sophomore in 2011 ... selected to play in 2014 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl just before he enrolled at Clemson ... Clemson was first school to offer Register in the summer of 2012 ... attended the same high school as former Tiger great Jeff Davis ... intends to major in engineering ... recruited by Robbie Caldwell ... also had offers from Florida State, Florida, North Carolina, NC State and Tennessee ... played his high school football for Steven Davis. Milan Richard TE, 6-3, 233 Savannah, GA Calvary Baptist HS Before Clemson: Nephew of 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and former Georgia All-American Herschel Walker ... Richard’s first game at Clemson will be against Georgia ... rated the No. 16 prospect in Georgia and the No. 6 TE in the nation and No. 191 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com ... rated the No. 2 TE and No. 195 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com ... committed to Clemson on 5/8/13 ... had 29 receptions for 502 yards and five scores as a senior in 2013 ... added 22 receptions for 341 yards and three TDs as a junior (2012) ... caught 27 passes for 400 yards and five TDs as a sophomore in 2011 ... so his varsity stats were 78 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns ... helped his team to State Championship game in 2013 ... also a three-year lettermen in basketball at Calvary Baptist ... his high school coach Mark Stroud also coached former Clemson defensive tackle Nick Eason at Toombs Country High School ... Eason went on to play 12 years in the NFL and won a Super Bowl Championship with the Steelers ... 2014 Army All-America Game nominee ... first-team all-state as a senior and junior ... also made preseason all-state team for 2013 along with Clemson classmates Demarre Kitt, Adam Choice and Deshaun Watson ... son of Bill and Veronica Richard ... both were All-Americans in track at University of Georgia ... Bill was All-American in hurdles and Veronica in the sprints ... recruited by Jeff Scott ... had offers from Georgia, Florida State, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee ... wore No. 81 at Calvary Baptist High School where he played for Mark Stroud. Jabril Robinson DT, 6-2, 255 Leland, NC • North Brunswick HS Before Clemson: Ranked as a three-star prospect by ESPN. com ... selected to the 2014 Shrine Bowl for the North
Carolina team ... also played in the Offense-Defense All-America game in Orlando ... possesses great speed for the position ... led the North Brunswick team in tackles as a senior with 110 ... that included team best 27 for loss and five sacks ... led team to a 9-4 record and the second round of the state playoffs ... earned allconference, all-county and all area honors ... as a junior in 2012, Robinson had 72 tackles, including 20 for loss, 12 of which were sacks ... also had two forced fumbles ... played four years on the football team, three years as a starting defensive lineman ... also played basketball and track at North Brunswick ... recruited by Dan Brooks ... wore No. 56 at North Brunswick High School where he played for Garry Bishop. Korie Rogers LB, 6-2, 218 Flowery Branch, GA Buford HS Before Clemson: No. 1 outside linebacker in Georgia according to many services ... a national top-100 player (No. 84) by Tom Lemming entering the season ... US Army All-American who played in the nationally televised game in San Antonio in January 2014 ... first-team all-state and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and junior in the state of Georgia ... starter on consecutive State Championship teams in Georgia ... they had 14-1 record in 2012 and 15-0 in 2013 ... the 15-0 record in 2013 included Buford’s win over Gainesville High and Clemson freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson in early September ... Watson and Rogers will now be teammates at Clemson ... one of the more highly regarded members of the class of 2014, he is ranked No. 67 in the nation by Rivals.com, second among Clemson signees in this class behind Deshaun Watson ... Rivals.com also has him as the fourth best linebacker in the nation and the fifth best player in the state of Georgia ... ranked as No. 145 best player in nation by 247Sports.com, which also sees him as ninth best linebacker and 10th best player in state of Georgia ... No. 14 outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com, which also has him No. 193 best player ... ESPN.com also lists Rogers as 15th best player in state of Georgia ... a Max Prep All-American as well ... named to the Super Six of Gwinnett Country prior to his senior year ... named a WSB Player of the Week during his senior year as well ... Scout.com has Rogers as No. 218 player and 10th best middle linebacker ... as a junior, Rogers recorded 91 tackles including 16.5 for loss, 6.5 of which were sacks ... had four interceptions as a junior in helping Buford to the state championship ... also a member of the school chorus and helped produce the school’s newscast ... committed to Clemson in late May of 2013 ... recruited by Tony Elliott ... also had offers from Georgia, Auburn, Florida, North Carolina and Penn State ... wore No. 43 for Buford High School where he played for Head Coach Jess Simpson.
Artavis Scott WR, 5-11, 185 Oldsmar, FL • East Lake HS Enrolled at Clemson in January ... will take part in 2014 spring practice and compete for playing time at that position. Before Clemson: Played in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl along with Clemson classmate Demarre Kitt ... Scott is ranked as Clemson’s second best signee by some services ... ranked as 68th best player in the nation by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com ... also 83rd by ESPN.com and 102nd by Scout.com ... ranked as 10th best wide receiver in the nation by 247Sports.com and 11th by Rivals.com ... a top 10 player in the state of Florida by 247Sports.com (8th), ESPN.com (9th) and Rivals.com (9th) ... four-year starter at East Lake HS ... as a senior, was more of an all-purpose player than in previous years ... had 67 rushes for 729 yards and 13 touchdowns ... averaged 11 yards per carry ... had 37-542 receiving and five touchdowns as a receiver ... as a junior, had 64 catches for 995 yards and 10 scores ... as a sophomore, had 54 receptions for 1,158 yards and 12 touchdowns ... averaged 21.4 yards per reception as a sophomore ... for career, had 172 receptions for 3,035 yards and 32 receiving touchdowns ... averaged 17.7 yards per catch for his career ... on the ground had 108 rushes for 980 yards and 14 touchdowns ... a 9.1 average rushing the football for his career ... had 636 career kickoff return yards and 679 punt return yards ... finished with 51 career touchdowns and 5,330 all-purpose yards ... also had 75 career tackles on defense as a defensive rush end ... led East Lake High School to a 13-1 record as a senior, team won first 13 games of the year ... recruited by Tony Elliott ... received offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia and Ohio State ... played his high school football for Bob Hudson. Cannon Smith TE, 6-5, 235 Columbia, SC Hammond School Before Clemson: Second generation Clemson Tiger who hopes to continue Clemson’s tradition of outstanding tight ends ... ranked among the top 300 players in the nation by three different services ... rated No. 235 by Scout.com, No. 237 by ESPN.com and No. 284 by 247Sports.com ... listed as No. 3 tight end in the nation by ESPN.com and No. 7 by Scout.com ... ranked as eighth best player in South Carolina by 247Sports.com and 13th best in the state by Rivals.com ... helped Hammond to the Independent School State Championship game his senior year ... team came on strong and finished with 10-4 record ... had 15 receptions for 300 yards and two scores as a senior ... missed some time with injury and was object of double teams most of the season ... had 31 catches for 460 yards and four scores as a junior ... caught 20 passes for 394 yards and four TDs as a sophomore (2011) ... played in the Offense-Defense All-Star game in Orlando ... wore number 84 at the Hammond School in FEBRUARY 2014
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2014 TIGER FOOTBALL SIGNEES Columbia, SC, the same number his dad wore at Clemson ... also plays on the Hammond basketball team ... son of 1981 Clemson graduate Bill Smith, a starting defensive end on Clemson’s 1981 National Championship team ... Bill was four-year letterman between 1977-81 ... started and had 10 tackles in Clemson’s win over Nebraska in the 1982 Orange Bowl ... Bill is also on the Clemson Board of Trustees and won last year’s Brian Dawkins Leadership Award, which is presented each year to former Clemson football player by Head Coach Dabo Swinney ... recruited by Brent Venables ... also had offer from Alabama ... played for Erik Kimrey at Hammond School in Columbia. Alex Spence PK, 6-2, 190 Florence, SC West Florence HS Before Clemson: Shrine Bowl kicker for South Carolina team who was rated as the top kicker in South Carolina in the 2014 class ... No. 34 kicker nationally by ESPN.com ... made 11-13 on field goals and averaged 40 yards/punt during his junior year (2012) ... named South Carolina’s Class 4A specialist of the year in 2012 ... Spence made 14 of 17 field goal attempts in his senior season (2013), with a 47-yarder as his longest ... also made 36 of 37 PATs ... also has ability to handle kickoffs ... committed on-the-spot after being offered a scholarship during a Clemson camp ... recruited by Danny Pearman ... played for Trey Woodberry at West Florence High School. Trevion Thompson WR, 6-3, 185 Durham, NC • Hillside HS Before Clemson: Shrine Bowl receiver who was a consensus national top-160 player ... ranked as No. 73 best player in the nation by Scout.com, the highest ranking among all Clemson 2014 signees from that service ... also rated 118th by 247Sports.com, and No. 152 by ESPN.com and Rivals.com ... ranked as No. 15 receiver in the nation by Scout.com, No. 17 by 247Sports.com, No. 20 by ESPN.com and No. 22 by Rivals.com ... rated as fifth-best player in state of North Carolina by 247Sports.com and ninth best player in North Carolina by Rivals.com ... had an outstanding year leading Hillside High School in Durham to a 9-3 record ... had 57 receptions for 987 yards and 14 scores as a senior ... one of four four-star receivers joining the Clemson program in 2014 ... played in the Shrine Bowl and led North Carolina receivers in receiving yards ... Rivals.com voted him as receiver with best hands for the week of practice and game ... comes to Clemson from same school as 2013 freshman defensive back Korrin Wiggins ... recruited by Robbie Caldwell ... also had offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, NC State, Ohio State and Florida ... wore No. 1 at Hillside High School where he played for Antonio King. 40
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Deshaun Watson QB, 6-3, 188 Gainesville, GA Gainesville HS Entered Clemson in January of 2014 and will compete for time at quarterback this spring. Before Clemson: First-team Parade All-American and second-team USA Today All-American ... established state of Georgia high school records for career total offense (17,134) and total touchdowns passing and rushing (218) ... set the Georgia state records for career touchdown passes and total offense by the end of his junior year ... highest ranked Clemson signee for 2014 ... rated as No. 16 best overall player in the nation by ESPN.com, 31st by Rivals.com, 41st by 247Sports.com and No. 84 by Scout.com ... ranked as third best player in the nation by Tom Lemming prior to the 2013 season ... the number-one dual-threat quarterback in the nation by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com, Scout.com lists him third ... ranked as number-two overall player in state of Georgia by Rivals.com and number-four by 247Sports. com ... named U.S. Army All-American ... named to 2014 Under Armour All-American roster, but did not play in the game due to an injury he suffered in his final high school game ... four-year starter at Gainesville High ... as a 14-year-old freshman led team to a 10-2 record with 2,088 yards passing and 17 touchdowns ... also ran for 569 yards and five scores that year ... as a sophomore had over 3,200 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing ... as a junior gained 5,700 yards of total offense and accounted for 64 total touchdowns ... threw for 4,024 yards and 50 scores ... led Gainesville to its first state championship in over 100 years, a 49-13 win in state title game with 400 yards total offense and five touchdowns in just three quarters of work ... that Dec. 14 victory over Ware County took place in the Georgia Dome and was just 17 days prior to Clemson’s Chick-fil-A Bowl win over LSU in the same facility ... had 1,988 yards of total offense and 27 total touchdowns in five playoff games that year ... threw for 4,431 yards and 57 touchdowns against just five interceptions as a senior ... also rushed for 1,057 yards and 14 scores ... finished his high school career with 13,077 passing yards and 155 touchdown passes ... had 4,057 yards rushing and 63 touchdowns on the ground, giving him 218 total touchdowns over his four years ... named State Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia for 2013 ... named AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2013 ... also played on Gainesville’s basketball team in 2012-13 ... attended same high school as former Georgia Tech star quarterback Billy Lotheridge, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy race to Roger Staubach in 1963 ... recruited by Chad Morris ... also had offers from Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State ... played for coach Bruce Miller in high school.
Jalen Williams LB, 5-11, 220 Columbia, SC • Blythewood HS Before Clemson: Ranked as the No. 29 prospect in South Carolina by ESPN.com and 34th by 247Sports.com ... three-star prospect by Rivals.com ... recorded 21 tackles and a sack as a sophomore (2011), then made significant improvement to 115 tackles, nine for loss with three sacks as a junior (2012) ... has incredible nose for the football, he had six fumble recoveries and four caused fumbles as a senior at Blythewood ... finished senior year with 101 total tackles, nine for loss, six fumble recoveries for 36 return yards and one interception ... had six tackles, three fumble recoveries, a caused fumble and an interception vs. Aiken High in 2013 ... named the MVP of the victorious North team in annual South Carolina North-South game in which he had six tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown ... finished high school career with 186 total tackles, 18 for loss, one INT and six fumble recoveries ... also caused six fumbles ... also played basketball at Blythewood ... recruited by Brent Venables ... wore No. 8 at Blythewood High School where he played for Head Coach Dan Morgan. Richard Yeargin DE, 6-4, 225 Lauderdale Lakes, FL NOVA University School Before Clemson: US Army AllAmerican, he is ranked among the top 300 prospects in the nation by 247Sports.com ... preseason first-team All-American by Max Preps ... named to the Elite 75 players in Florida in the preseason ... rated as No. 17 outside linebacker in the nation by Scout.com ... first-team All-State selection in 2013 ... No. 38 player in Florida by 247Sports.com ... committed to Notre Dame in August, but after the season decided to reopen his recruitment ... selected from 400 nominees to be one of five recipients of the Franklin D. Watkins Award, an honor recognizing top African-American scholar athletes from around the country ... selected to the Nike Opening for top 150 prospects nationally ... led University School in Fort Lauderdale to a 10-3 record last year ... had 85 tackles, including 21.5 for loss, 15 of which were sacks ... played on a team that had a 19-game winning streak over two years ... played his first three years of high school at Chaminade Madonna Prep ... helped that program to a 9-2 record in 2011 ... Clemson was first FBS school to recruit Yeargin starting in the 10th grade ... played his high school football in Florida, but originally from the state of South Carolina ... recruited by Brent Venables ... also had offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Texas, Auburn and Florida State ... played for Roger Harriott at University High.
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2014 SEASON OUTLOOK | BASEBALL There’s never any doubt within the Clemson baseball team what the intended destination is each season. The Tigers have it stitched on the back of their caps and they break the huddle at the end of every practice by saying it. Omaha. As the team opened preseason practice in late January on a blustery, frigid afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, junior ace Daniel Gossett admitted the team is keenly aware that it’s been a while since it reached its goal. “We haven’t been to Omaha in three years and this is the fourth year, and every four years at least under Coach (Jack) Leggett, we have been to Omaha,” Gossett said. “So that’s a little more incentive. We can’t be that one team not to go to Omaha. It’s been long enough. I’ve never been. I don’t think anyone on the team has been - we don’t have any redshirt seniors - so it’s time. It’s time to go. It’s time to win.” Clemson won 40 games and made the NCAA Tournament in 2013, but slumped down the stretch and likely missed its chance at hosting a regional when it let a five-run, ninth-inning lead slip away in the ACC Tournament against top-ranked North Carolina. Forced to go on the road to the hostile environment of the Columbia (SC) Regional for a second-straight season, the Tigers fell twice to Liberty and bowed out without facing host South Carolina. “That was one of the more humbling experiences I’ve ever been through,” Gossett
said. “We were climbing steadily, looking good and approaching that magic number to host - and to be brought down so fast, it’s a brand-new experience. We’ve talked amongst the players about how that was one of the worst feelings. “Losing out in the ACC Tournament and only winning one game in the regional, we know that we don’t ever want to feel that again. I’m done with that as a player. We’re done with that as a team. We’re ready to take it to the next level and win the last game that we play.” The Tigers have ample reason to be optimistic, as they return eight of nine position starters and 77 percent of their innings pitched from last season’s squad, which was one of the youngest Clemson teams in recent memory. “Everybody is a year better and a year more experienced, and everybody is ready to get to work starting today and prove that we can be an offensive team with a great pitching staff,” sophomore shortstop Tyler Krieger said. “Hopefully, that meshes into something of a national-championship-caliber-type team.” But just because the Tigers return their starting lineup nearly intact - only centerfielder Thomas Brittle is gone from last year’s regulars - Leggett made sure to point out that didn’t necessarily guarantee every one of them would keep their jobs. “The key is this - we have some guys coming back, but they all have to be better,”
[ by Steven Bradley, IPTAY Media ] Leggett said. “If they come back and they’re the same, then we haven’t really gone where we need to go. That’s why you always bring in good players. You try to push them to an-
ATHLETES TO WATCH MATTHEW CROWNOVER
So. • Ringgold, GA • 2013 Freshman All-American according to Collegiate Baseball • Posted a 7-3 record and teambest 2.19 ERA despite coming off “Tommy John” surgery as a high school senior
STEVEN DUGGAR
So. • Moore, SC • 2013 Freshman All-American according to Collegiate Baseball • Everyday starter in right field hit .300 with 30 RBIs as a firstyear player
TYLER KRIEGER
Jon McGibbon returns for his senior season with 126 career starts for the Tigers. Photo by Dawson Powers
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So. • Johns Creek, GA • Started all 62 games for the Tigers at shortstop in 2013 • Produced a .958 fielding percentage and two walk-off singles
other level and provide intra-team competition, and if one of them emerges ahead of somebody who’s been here for a while, so be it.”
BASEBALL SCHEDULE Day Opponent
Time
Feb. 14 Feb. 15 Feb. 16 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 25 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 2 Mar. 4 Mar. 7 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 12 Mar. 14 Mar. 15 Mar. 16 Mar. 18 Mar. 19 Mar. 21 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 25 Mar. 28 Mar. 29 Mar. 30 Apr. 1 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 7 Apr. 8 Apr. 11 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 19 Apr. 20 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 26 Apr. 27 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 7 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 13 May 15 May 16 May 17 May 20-25 May 30-Jun. 2 Jun. 6-9 Jun. 14-25
Fri. Sat. Sun. Fri. Sat. Sun. Tue. Fri. Sat. ^ Sun. Tue. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Wed. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Tue. Wed. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Tue. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Tue. Wed. Sat. * Sun. * Mon. * Tue. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Tue. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Wed. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Fri. Sat. Sun. ^ Mon. Wed. Fri. * Sat. * Sun. * Tue. ^ Thu. * Fri. * Sat. * Tue-Sun. + Fri-Mon. Fri-Mon. Sat-Wed. !
4:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:05 p.m. 12:05 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. TBA TBA TBA TBA
Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan Maine Maine Maine Presbyterian College at South Carolina vs. South Carolina South Carolina at Western Carolina Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Appalachian State at Wake Forest at Wake Forest at Wake Forest at Georgia Southern at Georgia Southern Florida State Florida State Florida State at Georgia at Maryland at Maryland at Maryland Furman Winthrop NC State NC State NC State Georgia at Virginia at Virginia at Virginia Coastal Carolina at Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh Western Carolina Miami Miami Miami James Madison James Madison UNLV UNLV High Point at Notre Dame at Notre Dame at Notre Dame at Furman Boston College Boston College Boston College ACC Tournament NCAA Regionals NCAA Super Regionals College World Series
Note: * - ACC regular-season game; ^ - Greenville, SC; + - Greensboro, NC; ! – Omaha, NE; home games in bold; all times are Eastern.
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58365
Date
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Garrett Boulware
One of the primary reasons the Tigers - who were picked to finish third in the ACC Atlantic Division by the coaches - are optimistic is the return of Gossett at the top of the rotation. The righty had a 10-4 record and 2.56 ERA in 2013. “Knowing that he goes out there for us in the first game of a series is nice because you know he’s going to battle, he’s going to give you everything he’s got, he’s going to throw strikes, he’s going to compete, and he’s got pretty good stuff,” Leggett said. The Tigers have a number of options in the rotation beyond their staff ace, including Matthew Crownover, Zack Erwin, Jake Long and Clate Schmidt. Sophomore lefthander Crownover posted a 7-3 record and team-best 2.19 ERA last season despite being limited in innings as he recovered from elbow surgery. “Crownover was nine months removed from ‘Tommy John’ (surgery) and was throwing 81 miles per hour, and he still had (seven) wins last year,” junior catcher Garrett Boulware said. “This year, he’ll have most of his stuff back, and he’ll have one year of experience under his belt and his arm back. He could really do something crazy this year. He’s a really talented pitcher, and he’s a really smart pitcher.” Another sophomore southpaw, Erwin, came on strong toward the end of last season and finished with a 5-2 record and 3.45 ERA. “He’s bigger and he’s gained weight,” Boulware said.“He’s a skinny kid, but he’s put some weight on, and the ball comes out of his hand effortlessly, and it jumps. He’s got really good stuff, and I think both (Crownover and Erwin) could be a huge part of our pitching staff.” While the Tigers return eight regular starters among their position players, one of their
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ORANGE: THE EXPERIENCE
Sophomore lefthander Zack Erwin compiled a 3.00 earned run average and 3-1 record in 11 appearances against ACC teams in 2013. Photo by Rex Brown, IPTAY Media
top hitters, senior slugger Shane Kennedy, is not expected to return from a knee injury he suffered in the fall until “mid to late-April,” according to Leggett. “He’s making good progress,” Leggett said. “He feels good about it and he’s a strong kid as it is, so hopefully he’ll come back quick.” Kennedy was a Second-Team All-ACC performer last season, as he hit .317 with five home runs, 35 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases, while Boulware led the team in homers (8) and RBIs (45). “I think offensively we have a chance to be a better team than we were last year,” Leggett said. “We’ve got more depth, we’ve got more guys who can run, and we’ve got more interchangeable parts and more intra-team competition. We know how we have to play to win, so I like the fact that we’ve got a little more to choose from.” The Tigers also have plenty of motivation, as no one has forgotten the way that last season ended. Almost to a man, they made it clear they were chomping at the bit to hit the practice field that January afternoon despite the bitter cold. “It’s always a motivating factor, whether you lose in the regional, super regional, or in Omaha, it always stinks getting on the bus and starting over again,” Leggett said. “It’s always a motivating factor, but at the same time - every year is new, and we’ve got a bunch of good players out here who are motivated to get to Omaha and play for a National Championship.”
The 2013 fall semester was a trying one for junior catcher Garrett Boulware. After a breakout sophomore campaign in the spring of 2013, when he led the team in homers (8) and RBIs (45) along with finishing second in batting average (.308), Boulware suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the entirety of fall practice. However, Boulware should be at full strength when Clemson opens the season with two straight series at home. His return will provide a boost as one of the team’s best leaders in the clubhouse and on the field. The Anderson, SC native and management major played sparingly as a freshman in 2012, but emerged as Clemson’s top overall offensive player in 2013. He was on the watch list for the Johnny Bench Award and received the Mitchell Award as the team’s most valuable player along with being named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll. As a catcher for almost every inning in 2013, he committed only two errors while becoming the first catcher to lead the Tigers in slugging percentage (.476) since 1997 and homers since 2004. Boulware became a household name in ACC baseball circles when he went 4-for-5 with five RBIs and two homers, including one off AllAmerican Carlos Rodon, in the Tigers’ 10-5 win in Raleigh. His three-run long ball off Rodon in the fifth inning broke a 4-4 tie. Two weeks later in late March, he earned ACC CoPlayer-of-the-Week honors for his performance in five games, as he went 8-for-16 with one homer, eight RBIs, and three runs. His RBI groundout in the 11th inning on the first day of April propelled Clemson to a 5-4 win over top-ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill. His brother, Ben, concluded his freshman season in a Tiger football uniform in the 2014 Orange Bowl. Like Garrett, Ben was a standout baseball player at T.L. Hanna High School, but it was his football prowess that was noticed by the Clemson coaching staff. He was one of the top special teams players in 2013 and will be a factor at linebacker in future seasons. — by Brian Hennessy
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FEBRUARY 2014
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PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
Junior hurler Daniel Gossett hopeful of Tigers’ return to Omaha
hen the Clemson baseball team opened the 2014 season last Friday against Eastern Michigan, it did so with ace Daniel Gossett on the mound. A native of Lyman, SC, Gossett grew up a Clemson fan. “My parents are huge Clemson fans and
we’ve been coming to games since I was little,” he said. “I fell in love with the campus then and it has stuck.” That early love for Clemson is part of what drives Gossett to succeed here. One of the first steps in the process is to not only play well in college, but also to continue on his career into the professional ranks. Gossett is a self-proclaimed guy who is just trying to have fun. Pitching Coach Dan Pepicelli describes his ace as a “funny kid with a
by Joey Johns
lot of energy” that is always “wired up and energetic.” But if you talk to Pepicelli, you will also hear the adjectives planner, focused, and great work ethic used to describe his pitcher. “He’s a really good kid and has that ability to hit the switch when it’s time to focus on the details,” Pepicelli said. That attention to detail has allowed Gossett to become the player that he is today. A highly touted recruit from nearby Byrnes High School, Gossett entered the Clemson program with a lot of hype. Despite having a slow fall his freshman year, Gossett’s great work ethic allowed him to overcome early struggles to become one of the best arms in the program where he was later named Clemson’s rookie-of-the-year. “He clearly had talent, but in the beginning he was just trying to figure out how to compete at this level,” Pepicelli said. “By the end of the year he was as effective of a starter as we had. When we went to the Columbia Regional that year, he pitched a very good game and showed everyone what he had. It was impressive.” That success carried over to his sophomore season when he was the Friday starter from Gossett is a preseason AllAmerican and Clemson’s No. 1 starter heading into the 2014 season. Photo by Dawson Powers
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the beginning and finished the year with 10 wins, was a second-team All-ACC selection and currently sits ninth in program history in strikeouts-per-nine-innings pitched with 9.14. Now a junior, Gossett looks to build on that success. “I think everyone knew who he was, especially after beating (Carlos) Rodon at NC State last year,” Pepicelli said. “But I was curious, once he becomes ‘the guy,’ will he still follow the process that allowed him to get to this point or will he stray off? There is no doubt in my mind that he will stay the course.” Entering the 2014 season, Gossett has been named a preseason third-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA and has also been named the No. 77 preseason prospect in the nation by Baseball America. Gossett will be the first to admit that baseball is a team game and at the end of the day, the success of the team is what really counts. “He’s the tip of the spear,” as Pepicelli describes it, the guy who goes out on the field and sets the table for the rest of the staff to follow suit. What the typical fan sees on the field in just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Gossett’s value to the team. “Everyone wants to get where he is at,” Pepicelli said. “You see it with the younger guys and their play continues to elevate as they fol-
Gossett has been listed as one of the top 100 collegiate draft-eligible prospects by multiple publications. Photo by Rex Brown, IPTAY Media
low Gossett’s lead in work ethic, attention to detail and focus.” That attitude will go a long way toward helping the Tigers to achieve their ultimate goal. The goal of advancing to Omaha and the College World Series, a place Clemson has not been since the 2010 season. One look at the Clemson baseball program
is all you need to see the importance of Omaha to the Tigers. The city’s name is stitched on the back of all player hats, in the dugout and pictures of past teams that made it to the ultimate destination fill the locker room. But look closely at those Tiger teams and you’ll notice that there has not been a streak of four years without an appearance. “We have to make it happen,” Gossett said. “If we don’t make it this year, then we are the team to break that streak and that can’t happen.” In a way, you could say that Omaha has become the rallying cry of the 2014 squad. “This year, all we need is for Daniel to be who he is. If he does that, it will be more than enough,” Pepicelli said. That journey began last weekend in Doug Kingsmore Stadium where Daniel Gossett stood on the mound as Clemson’s Friday starter. Tiger fans have a comfort level with Gossett on the mound, knowing that his attention to detail and outstanding work ethic has put him amongst the Clemson elite. He is ready to dominate and make that trip to Omaha in June.
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Y E R T E C U E D
el t Cast t a M y b
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all her Deuce-Trey. 23. That’s the number she wears on the court, but Chancie Dunn said there are different reasons a basketball player might wear 23 than the main one the aver-
age fan might think. “I’ve had the number 23 since high school and AAU…pretty much my entire basketball career,” Dunn said. “Actually my best friend Georganna Smith, she came up with it, and it stuck. She put the two and three
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ORANGE: THE EXPERIENCE
together and made it work.” And Dunn has made the basketball thing work on the court for herself and for the Lady Tigers. She entered Clemson three seasons ago as a talented point guard from Georgia. She contributed as a freshman, seeing her minutes increase as the season went on. But it wasn’t until her sophomore season that Dunn started 15 games and raised her scoring totals, rebounding numbers, steals and blocks. Oh, and she was second on the team with 74 assists, a significant stat considering her quick revolution from running the offense in high school to playing more off-the-ball at the collegiate level.
y
, IPTAY
Media
Dunn evolved again last season, taking on more of a sixth man role for the Lady Tigers, playing in 25 games with only six starts. This season, Dunn has played in all 19 games, starting 17, averaging the third-most minutes on the team while once again ranking second on the team in assists. In Clemson’s first win this season, a victory over Wofford, Dunn was terrific across the board, posting 15 points, four assists, four rebounds, two steals, and was a prolific 7-of-8 from the field. She was again great during the Lady Tigers’ five-game win streak early in the season, including a six-assist performance in win number five of that streak;
that total tied the single-game high for any Lady Tiger this season. On Dec. 29, Dunn recorded her 200th career assist. All of that experience over her time at Clemson has aided Dunn in dishing out assistance to her teammates, especially this season as one of two seniors on the roster. “I try to be as vocal and be as big a leader as much as possible,” she said. “I try to help my teammates through not only basketball situations, but also off-the-court situations. I’ve been through a lot since I came to Clemson, whether that’s academically, physically, everything.” Part of that everything consisted of a coaching change for Dunn and the Lady Tigers this past offseason. In April of last year, Audra Smith was hired away from UAB to restore the roar within a Clemson program, which had been down in recent years. “In the beginning it was definitely difficult, because it’s an entirely new system,” Dunn said. “Fast paced, a lot more energy, a lot more work and in general a lot more is expected. But since this is my last year, I had to adjust quickly. I don’t have another year to sit around and wait.” Time is certainly of the essence for Dunn. After graduating last August, Dunn enrolled in graduate school and is entertaining her fourth and final season of eligibility. As one of the elder members on the team, At top: Dunn has she has tried to help started all but two her teammates in a games at guard for the Lady Tigers this year where the Lady season. Tigers have battled consistency and one Photos at right: in which a rigid ACC Dunn is a standout schedule awaits the on the court and remainder of the seain the classroom, son. But for as much where she earned as Chancie Dunn her sociology wants to win on the degree in just three court, she’s gained an years from Clemson. appreciation for bigger matters and winning off the court as well. Channeling that yearning for assisting young girls, including those playing basketball, she has used her affinity for clothing to, with the help of Smith, create their own company, Tomboys Inc. The Web site for their company states that they “…hope to turn the negative view (of the common “tomboy stereotype”) into that of a positive one for sporty girls and young female athletes alike in order to build confidence and self-esteem” and that their brand is one that is “very community-oriented and all about giving back.” “I’m the co-owner with Georganna. Basically it’s more of a community service than a
clothing line, in my opinion. I let her take the big aspects of the clothing line, and I do more of the community work. I try to talk to high school girls back home, to help them through life situations, help them transition between high school and college basketball.” It’s a path she knows well and no doubt Dunn will continue to be an effective contributor to a brand she and her good friend devised, although she lets Smith handle most of the business aspects for now. “I can’t be home working with the clothing line because of basketball,” she said. An obvious testament to those who have seen Chancie Dunn leave it all on the court for the Lady Tigers, even though her team-
mates call her “Grandma” and Dunn admits that she doesn’t like to do much when she’s not playing ball. “I like to chill, watch movies. Just relax,” she said. “I don’t do too much as a senior. Before, I would try to go out and do everything. Now, I’m a lot more mellow.” But when asked about her favorite movie? “ATL. That’s my favorite movie because I did occasionally skate, and it’s about skating. But now with what’s going on, having to take care of my body, I don’t get the chance to go to Anderson and skate as much. But that is something I like doing.” And that epitomizes the edge and spunk of one Deuce-Trey. FEBRUARY 2014
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2014 SEASON OUTLOOK | MEN’S TENNIS Coming into the 2014 season, Clemson Head Coach Chuck McCuen has been very optimistic. After putting together a top 25-season with 19 wins in 2013, the Tiger program has momentum and plenty of depth on the 2014 roster. “We had a great fall and we have nine new players,” said Head Coach Chuck McCuen. “The returning class is very accomplished. We have an All-ACC player in Hunter Harrington as well as doubles All-American Dominique Maden. “Austin Ansari is returning after a great freshman season. These returning players bring a lot of experience with them. They are excellent players and team leaders. We also have talented newcomers, so it has been an interesting mix of the young and the experienced.” In the 2013 season, the Tigers finished the year with a 19-8 record overall and a 6-4 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Tigers also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2007 season. Clemson was a mainstay in the nation’s top 25 during the latter part of the season, finishing 21st in the final ITA poll. McCuen said while the team has so many newcomers, they are not lacking in experience and work ethic.
“They may be young in age, but they’re certainly not young in tennis. (Assistant) Coach John Boetsch did an incredible job recruiting. I think we have some talented players that are motivated and enjoy working hard.” In the fall, the entire roster attended every tournament the Tigers played. McCuen believed it was important for building team unity and camaraderie. “With the large class of newcomers, participating in the tournaments together this fall was important in team building and getting to know each other,” he said. “I thought it was important for everyone to compete. “We are going to have great depth, and when playing in the ACC, it is very important as this conference is one of the best, if not the best leagues in the country. Depth will be very important. This is the deepest team I have ever had in my 31 years of coaching. We are a solid and deep team. “The big question mark this season will be the doubles teams. We have a lot of great doubles players, but finding the right combinations will be the key. We played Dominique Maden and Hunter Harrington together, and they played well in the fall. I feel as though no matter the combinations, we will be good in doubles from what we have seen from our performances in the fall.” Returning from last year’s team is doubles All-American and senior Dominique Maden, who finished the 2013 season with a 23-7 record in doubles. He played No. 4 singles for the Tigers and ended the season with a 10-10 mark. “Dom is a returning All-American. He is a very powerful player and has a lot of confidence. His expectations have risen and we are looking for him to have a great senior season,” McCuen said. Hunter Harrington has returned for his junior season. He played No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles for the Tigers last year. In singles, he was 21-9 overall and 7-3 in conference play. In doubles, he finished the year with a 17-10 mark overall. He finished last season ranked 96th in singles. Entering the fall he was ranked 68th by the ITA. “Hunter Harrington is a great player who had a consistent sophomore season. He will play one of the top spots for us this year.” Another junior on the roster is Alejandro Augusto from Madrid, Spain. He is Hunter Harrington is one of Clemson’s leaders on the court this spring. Photo by Rex Brown, IPTAY Media
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[ by Sam Blackman ] a transfer from Tennessee Tech. While playing for the Eagles, Augusto was a two-time AllOhio Valley Conference selection.
ATHLETES TO WATCH AUSTIN ANSARI
So. • Greensboro, NC • Compiled a 17-9 record at No. 6 singles as a freshman in 2013 • Was 15-6 in dual match play, including 5-3 against ACC competition
LUKE JOHNSON
So. • Leeds, Great Britain • Transferred into the program from the University of Florida • Compiled an 11-12 mark in singles and was 9-6 in doubles for the Gators’ top-20 team
DOMINIQUE MADEN
Sr. • Stuttgart, Germany • Paired with older brother and 2013 senior Yannick Maden to earn doubles All-America honors • The Madens were the first set of brothers to play doubles together at Clemson in 100 years; they finished the season with a No. 8 final doubles ranking
Dominique Maden was a doubles All-American in 2013 and hopes to lead the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. Photo by Dawson Powers
“Alejandro has been an excellent addition to the program,” McCuen said. “He is a tremendous talent and has a wealth of international experience. He made great strides in the fall and we are looking forward to his play this spring.” Another transfer into the Clemson program is Luke Johnson from the University of Florida. “Luke is a great doubles player and has played at a high level internationally,” McCuen said. “He has gained considerable experience and will be a big asset to our program.” Another sophomore, Austin Ansari, returns after having a solid freshman season. Ansari played No. 6 for the Tigers and compiled a 17-9 record overall, including 15-6 in dual matches. He was also 5-3 against ACC competition. The coaching staff is expecting another big year from the sophomore from Greensboro, NC. Eight freshmen – Robert Dudley, Christian Harris, Zachary Kennedy, Brent Lett, Ryan Mc-
Mullan, David Parker, Fernando Sala and Daniel Strawn – have joined the Tiger team this year. Sala has done well in the weight room and on the court in preparation for the spring season. “Sala brings energy and enthusiasm to our practices every day,” McCuen said.“Brent is a tenacious, gritty competitor. He simply loves to compete.” Ryan McMullan and Christian Harris are a pair of freshmen from the state of South Carolina who should offer solid play to the Date Day Opponent Time/Result program. Jan. 17 Fri. Furman W, 7-0 “McMullan is a wonderful Jan. 19 Sun. Presbyterian College W, 6-1 young man that is a mem Gardner-Webb W, 7-0 ber of the Calhoun Honors Jan. 25 Sat. # vs. Illinois L, 0-4 College. He has a passion Jan. 26 Sun. # at Ole Miss W, 4-2 for the game and is an excelJan. 31 Fri. College of Charleston W, 4-0 lent team member. Christian Fri. Wofford W, 7-0 Feb. 2 Sun. Winthrop W, 7-0 came in the summer, and we Anderson W, 5-0 have already seen a huge imFeb. 8 Sat. UNC Wilmington W, 4-0 provement in his game.” Feb. 16 Sun. Auburn 1:00 p.m. The final two freshmen, Feb. 21-23 Fri-Sun. ! vs. TBA TBA Parker and Kennedy, are both Mar. 5 Wed. South Carolina 2:30 p.m. described by the coaching Mar. 7 Fri. * Miami 11:00 a.m. Mar. 11 Tues. * Florida State 2:30 p.m. staff as exceptional athletes. Mar. 21 Fri. * Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. “In practice, our players are Mar. 23 Sun. * Boston College 11:00 a.m. driving each other,” McCuen Mar. 29 Sat. * at NC State 12:00 p.m. said. “It’s a very competiMar. 30 Sun. * at Wake Forest 1:00 p.m. tive environment, but at the Apr. 4 Fri. * Virginia 11:00 a.m. same time, they are helping Apr. 6 Sun. * Virginia Tech 1:00 p.m. Apr. 11 Fri. * at Duke 12:00 p.m. each other improve. This is Apr. 13 Sun. * at North Carolina 1:00 p.m. a good problem to have. We Apr. 18 Fri. * at Georgia Tech 6:00 p.m. have more players on the Apr. 24-27 Thu-Sun. $ ACC Championships TBA squad this year with quality May 9-12 Fri-Mon. NCAA First & Second Rounds TBA depth, and I’m really looking May 15-26 Thu-Mon. ^ NCAA Team & Individual Championships TBA forward to this spring. I think Note: All times are Eastern; home matches in bold; # - ITA Kickoff (Oxford, MS); the competitiveness and will! – Blue/Gray Classic (Montgomery, AL); * - ACC regular season match; ingness to help one another $ - Cary, NC; ^ - Athens, GA will forge a great team.”
MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Hunter Harrington
Hunter Harrington began his tennis career at the age of six. He played in his first USTA tourney when he was eight, then continued along that path through high school. “When I was growing up in Spartanburg, I was coached by Anthony Stewart and Jim Carrara,” Harrington said. “I also traveled around South America, playing tournaments in Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay, where I was coached by a Chilean professional, Ricardo Acuna. “A big impact on my career came when I was trained by Mark Merklein in Boca Raton, FL at the USTA National Training Center. Overall, I have received a lot of great training from coaches all over the world.” In his junior career, Harrington had many accomplishments. He was ranked No. 1 in the state of South Carolina, No. 10 in his class, and even represented the United States at the Junior Davis Cup in Mexico. He committed to Clemson in 2011, and it seemed to be an easy choice. Family ties led him here, as well as the coaches and a welcoming atmosphere that Clemson is so renowned for. “Clemson was the pinnacle and the best of any of the other schools that I saw,” he said. During his freshman season at Clemson, Harrington started at No. 5 singles and finished the season with a 24-12 overall record. Just a year later, he jumped from No. 5 to No. 2 in the lineup and became a key asset for the team. Harrington finished 2013 with a 21-9 overall record, including a 17-6 mark in dual matches. He was 16-6 as the No. 2 player in the Tiger lineup as well. Those numbers included an impressive 7-3 record in ACC play, as he was named to the AllACC team as a sophomore. His consistent play helped the Tigers to a 19-8 overall record and the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a 21st National Ranking. After his playing days at Clemson, Harrington will try his fortunes in the professional circuit and see how far that takes him. — by Drew Ronemus
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2014 SEASON OUTLOOK | WOMEN’S TENNIS The women’s tennis program has had success nearly unparalleled at Clemson, and the 2013 team was no exception. The squad defeated six top-25 opponents en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. Clemson’s roster, comprised entirely of freshmen and sophomores, grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead over No. 4 Georgia in that match after winning the doubles point and a dominating, 6-2, 6-0 victory from Yana Koroleva over the No. 6 player in the nation. As fate would have it, the Bulldogs would rally and end Clemson’s season for the second straight year in the NCAA Tournament. That far into the tournament, everyone is good, and the difference between the season continuing and ending is narrow. Youth appeared to catch up to the Tigers on that day, but their experience can catapult them to further success this season. “We didn’t do as well as we hoped for, but it was a good experience,” Koroleva said. “At least next time, if we get to the Sweet 16 again this year, we will know what the atmosphere is like, what it’s like to be there and compete against the top teams in the nation, so we’ll be prepared for it.” Back are five starters from the singles lineup on that day, including two of Clemson’s three NCAA singles participants and All-ACC performers. The only casualty from the roster was freshman Liz Jeukeng, an All-ACC selection, who left Clemson to pursue her goal of playing professionally. Koroleva fought her way to a quarterfinal appearance in the national tournament, finishing the season ranked among the top ten, and garnering All-America, All-ACC and ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. She returns for what will be her second, but final season, as she is on track to graduate in May, and plans to try her hand professionally after that. Koroleva anchors the top spot in the lineup, and gives the Tigers a great chance at a point in every match she plays. Koroleva, along with junior Romy Koelzer, have taken on leadership roles this season as the eldest members. Koelzer, who will likely slot anywhere from two to four in the singles lineup, possesses a vicious serve and tremendous spirit, in slight contrast Beatrice Gumulya is one of four nationally-ranked singles players for the Tigers in 2014. Photo by Rex Brown, IPTAY Media
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to her role as “team mom.” She enters the season with her highest-ever ranking - 51st - after a terrific fall in which she advanced won the flight three singles championship at the Roberta Allison Fall Classic. Perhaps the surprise of the fall was sophomore Tristen Dewar, who racked up a 10-3 record, and advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Carolina Regional Championships. She earned her first career ranking as well, going into the spring 103rd nationally. Junior Beatrice Gumulya is one of the steadiest players in the lineup, as she held down the No. 3 slot for most of last season, compiling a 26-6 record to go along with advancing to the second round of the NCAA Singles Championships. Her heroic performance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season clinched Clemson’s appearance into the Sweet 16 with a win over Vanderbilt. Yuilynn Miao returns as well, as the sophomore went 16-10 last season, playing primarily at No. 5 singles. Add her in with Jessy Rompies and Joana Eidukonyte, and Head Coach Nancy Harris has some flexibility with the middle to end of the lineup to be able to tinker with some matchups. If there were a weakness last season, it would be doubles play, where the Tigers won the doubles point just 11 times in 24 matches. This season, that gap should close, as an in-
[ by Jeff Kallin ] flux of talent should help get the Tigers off to a great start in most matches. Rompies, who sat out last season after enrolling, partners with 2013 All-ACC selection Gumulya. Both are natives of Jakarta, Indone-
ATHLETES TO WATCH TRISTEN DEWAR
So. • Bradenton, FL • Ranked No. 103 in the latest ITA singles poll • Compiled an 18-14 singles record in 2013, including a 6-5 mark in ACC play
BEATRICE GUMULYA
Jr. • Jakarta, Indonesia • Clemson’s highest ranked singles player by the ITA at No. 44 • First-team All-ACC selection last season, she went 9-1 in the ACC and 26-6 overall in singles
YANA KOROLEVA
Sr. • Moscow, Russia • Ranked No. 74 in the latest ITA singles poll • ITA All-American and first-team All-ACC performer in 2013 after compiling a 19-7 record vs. ranked players
sia, and have played doubles together since 2007. “They play the kind of doubles that we saw with Keri Wong and Josipa Bek,” Harris said.“They’re the style of doubles that I like, that I think is the great doubles — both players up at the net, coming in and finishing points. It’s the most beautiful doubles you play. “They always try to be the first to formation — meaning take the net and dominate. I think they’ve only just begun their wonderful journey, and I think that they have the potential to be the No. 1 team in the country.” They’ll likely hold the top doubles slot, while Koroleva and Dewar, will likely be paired. That duo has now played together nearly 20 times, and are building a chemistry. The next slot will be filled by a combination of Miao, freshman Eidukonyte and Koelzer. While the doubles play will undoubtedly give the Tigers a deserved boost, singles play has long been the bread-and-butter of Harris’ teams. This season should be no different, as Clemson enters the spring with four players among the ITA’s ranked players. And, while Clemson has rarely struggled with topend singles talent (see consecutive All-Americans Julie Coin, Ani Mijacika, Josipa Bek and now Koroleva), it is the depth in the lineup this season that has Harris most excited. “They’re still very young,” she said.“We’re stronger at the bottom of the lineup than we have been. We have perhaps more depth, bringing in two more really, really strong players. Clemson enters the spring ranked 13th, exactly where they ended last season. However, this team is battle-hardened and poised to make a run. The schedule is not as laborious as it has been in the past, as three conference matches were added to the slate, replacing perennial powers like Florida and Stanford. The Tigers will still play a top-10 Georgia team, South Carolina, and conference foes Duke, North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, Florida State, who all enter this season ranked among the top-25 teams nationally. “I always expect wonderful things from my student-athletes because they work hard and they’ve got great attitudes,” Harris said. “So, I’m pulling for them. I’m their biggest fan, so I’m hoping they’re going to do very well.”
WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE Date
Day Opponent
Time/Result
Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Jan. 26 Feb. 1 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 9 Feb. 16 Feb. 21 Feb. 23 Feb. 28 Mar. 2 Mar. 7 Mar. 9 Mar. 14 Mar. 16 Mar. 28 Mar. 30 Apr. 4 Apr. 6 Apr. 11 Apr. 13 Apr. 17 Apr. 19 Apr. 24-27 May 9-12 May 15-26
Sat. Sat. Sat. # Sun. # Sat. Fri ! Sat., ! Sun. ! Sun. Fri. Sun. * Fri. * Sun. * Fri. * Sun. * Fri. * Sun. @ Fri. * Sun. * Fri. * Sun. * Fri. * Sun. * Thu. * Sat. * Thu-Sun. $ Fri-Mon. Thu-Mon. ^
W, 4-0 W, 6-1 W, 4-0 W, 4-0 L, 0-7 L, 2-4 W, 4-2 W, 4-0 12:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. TBA TBA TBA
Troy Charleston Southern Fresno State Tennessee at Georgia vs. California vs. Michigan vs. Vanderbilt at South Carolina Harvard at Virginia Tech NC State Wake Forest at Notre Dame at Pittsburgh at Maryland vs. North Florida at Georgia Tech at Boston College Florida State at Virginia Syracuse Miami Duke North Carolina ACC Championships NCAA First & Second Rounds NCAA Team & Individual Championships
Note: All times are Eastern; home matches in bold; # - ITA Kickoff; ! – ITA Team Indoor Championships (Charlottesville, VA); * - ACC regular season match; @ - Miami Beach, FL; $ - Cary, NC; ^ - Athens, GA
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Finding Their Voice: Koroleva, Koelzer Take an Active Role in Team Publicity If you follow the women’s tennis team’s social media accounts, you may have noticed new voices and unique insider content this semester. That’s because communications studies majors and team leaders Yana Koroleva and Romy Koelzer have taken control and allowed unparalleled access to the inner-workings of a national power. Social media is about storytelling, and who better to tell that story than those who live it every day? Through the first few weeks, Koroleva and Koelzer were able to orchestrate a worldwide “Happy Birthday” for teammate Yuilynn Miao, posted a “Get to Know” feature on Facebook, and various videos and Instagram posts from areas fans are not allowed. The two are receiving guidance from Dr. Jimmy Sanderson, using their work and finding as part of an independent study. They’ve also met with Director of New Media, Jonathan Gantt, and have received full internal support. “Yana and Romy are two of the smartest and brightest students I have had the pleasure of working with,” said Sanderson, an assistant professor in the Department of Communications, and one of the academic leaders nationally in the field of sport and social media. “What really impresses me about them
is their ability to think critically about social media and determining the kinds of content that will be innovative and meaningful, yet still resonate with audiences. It’s that kind of thinking that really enhances a person’s potential in social media.” Student-athletes taking a regular and active role in their own coverage is a new idea, and very much ahead-of-the-curve. Much attention is paid to making sure studentathletes don’t “mess up” on social media. Koroleva and Koelzer have been granted the opposite approach, being empowered and guided on strategy as they explore new ground in coverage. Hopefully, this will set a blueprint for the type of behindthe-scenes storytelling that can be incorporated in other areas. IPTAY members can follow and interact with the student-athletes on the women’s tennis squad on Twitter and Instagram @ ClemsonWTennis, as well as on Facebook. — by Jeff Kallin
Romy Koelzer (at left) and Yana Koroleva are Clemson’s leaders on the court and in the social media realm as well. Photo by Rex Brown, IPTAY Media FEBRUARY 2014
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THE IMPORTANCE OF
IPTAY DEADLINES
The February 15th deadline to have 50% of your IPTAY donation paid just passed a few days ago and we are hard at work to finish out the 2014 fiscal year! By donating by the February 15 deadline, you will receive a football season ticket application when they are released in March. IPTAY’s other important deadline is June 15th when your complete 2014 pledge must be paid. This deadline is extremely important because IPTAY will close its books for this fiscal year on June 30, 2014. As always, if you have any questions about your account or these deadlines, please contact us at 1-800-CLEMSON or iptay@clemson.edu and we’ll be happy to help!
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NCAA Compliance
NCAA RULES REGARDING PROSPECTS WHO HAVE SIGNED AN NLI
T
he National Letter of Intent signing day is an exciting day for prospective studentathletes, their family & friends, institution coaches & staff, boosters, alumni, fans and the media. However, did you know actions by IPTAY members and representatives of athletics interest may cost a prospective student-athlete that has signed a National Letter of Intent from attending and competing at Clemson University? How? If a prospect who has already signed an NLI is declared ineligible due to a recruiting violation by an IPTAY member or representative of athletics interest, Clemson University must notify the signee that he or she has an option to have the NLI declared null and void due to the rules violation. It is the prospective student-athlete’s decision to have the NLI remain valid or to have the NLI declared null and void, permitting the prospective student-athlete to be recruited by other institutions and not be subject to NLI penalties. NCAA Rules You Should Know to Protect Clemson The NCAA still limits the role IPTAY members and representatives of athletics interest may take with regard to prospects and prospect’s relatives and legal guardians even after a prospect signs a NLI to attend Clemson University. While the NLI is a binding contract between the prospect and institution for one year, NCAA rules continue to apply until the prospect enrolls at Clemson University for the regular semester (fall or spring) or reports for regular season practice. Specifically, IPTAY members and repre-
sentatives of athletics interest are prohibited from having any in-person contact, telephonic communication, written contact and providing any type of benefit to prospects that sign a NLI and their relatives or legal guardians. Examples of prohibited contacts and benefits include, but are not limited to: • Any recruiting contact sent via email, text, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc or contact with the NLI signee’s coach and high school administrators; • Providing any financial assistance or free or discounted benefit (i.e. money, loans, gifts, food, drinks, transportation, lodging including summer housing, vacation rentals, or other tangible items); • Providing any discounts or free professional services; • Promises or arranging employment; or • Using the name or image in any promotions/advertisements. What Can an IPTAY Member do to help? Remember, Clemson University coaches and staff members are the only group that may have recruiting contacts with prospects (including those prospects who have signed a NLI to attend Clemson) and the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians. Representatives of athletic interest are permitted and encouraged to provide articles and email our coaches about a prospect and help Clemson University by protecting the prospect’s eligibility. This is an educational article on NCAA rules and regulations for IPTAY members who may have contact with prospects that have signed a National Letter of Intent and the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians.
Please consult with Compliance Services at compliance-l@clemson.edu or at (864) 656-1580 with any specific questions. We thank you for your continued cooperation and support.
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Clemson, SC Spartanburg, SC Taylors, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Easley, SC Travelers Rest, SC Seneca, SC Spartanburg, SC Central, SC Greensboro, NC Charlotte, NC Anderson, SC Florence, SC Clemson, SC Ormond Beach, FL Orangeburg, SC Cary, NC Easley, SC Elon College, NC Greenville, SC Charlotte, NC Hartsville, SC Lexington, SC Atlanta, GA Greenville, SC Lexington, SC Fort Mill, SC Greer, SC Martinez, GA Moore, SC
Joyce & Brian E. Clark Larry U. Clark Cleaning Solutions & Supplies LLC Terry Coakley Coastal Plains Outdoors Karen Smith Coghill College of Engineering & Science Chris Collins Deborah A. Conklin Col. Michael R. Cook J. Bennette Cornwell, III Roy Costner Douglas F. & Sarah Cottingham In memory of Albert G. Courie, Jr. Sheila F. Cox Garry & Karen Craddock James T. Craig, Jr. Edwin B .Crow Steve Crowe Maloney/Mccormick Wayne L. Culbertson Robert A. Cullom Gloria W. Culver Robert H. Cureton W. Z. Dantzler & Son Dantzler & Associates, LLC J. Scott Davis Edward & Becky De Iulio Deal & Deal PA Brian Deichman Robert E. Delapp Charles Parker Dempsey Mrs. Virginia F. DesChamps Sammy Dickson Mr. & Mrs. Dinapoli Richard Brendan Doane Thomas A. Drayton Design Works L C Joel A. Dutton Educational Resources Inc. Gregory T. Edwards Tom & Jane Elder R. Charles Eldridge, Jr. Bonnie Ard Ellis Gary Emerson James J. Evans F & B Farm Greg S. Farish Jackie Farmer
Ft Mill, SC Seneca, SC Charleston, SC Bethesda, MD Hilton Head Island, SC Mountain Brook, AL Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Denver, NC Columbia, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Liberty, SC Columbia, SC Columbia, SC Simpsonville, SC Newnan, GA Simpsonville, SC Columbia, SC Easley, SC Clemson, SC Easley, SC Simpsonville, SC Greer, SC Greenwood, SC Santee, SC Johns Island, SC Greenville, SC Clemson, SC Clemson, SC Pendleton, SC Greenville, SC Chapin, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Westminster, SC Seneca, SC Greenville, SC Bishopville, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Lexington, SC Lexington, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC Columbia, SC Greenville, SC Pawleys Island, SC Florence, SC Orangeburg, SC Inman, SC Sunset, SC Greenville, SC
Michael C. Flint Todd Forrester Fort Roofing & Sheet Metal Michael T. Fowler Henry Lee Foy Freeman & Major, Architects Sherry Galloway Tom & Joann Garrett Douglas Geiger Georges Drive Inn Harry H. Gibson Allen Gillespie Bert & Holly Godwin Wendy Gay William N. Green Thomas L. & Kristie Greer John & Karen Griggs Robert M. Guthrie Elbert Hines Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. John M. Hamrick, Jr. Mary Bailey Harken Theo Harrison Larry A. & Nancy C. Harvey C. Bruce Hawkins Rodger E. Hawkins Timothy S. Hayden J. Leslie Heaton, Jr. J. I. Hellams Mike D. Hellams Memorial Col. Frank G. Hinnant Albert Hinson, Jr. Johnny Hoffman Jeffrey & Stephanie Holland Robert I. Holley Silas W. Holmes, Jr. William T. Howell W. Grey Humphrey, Jr. Daniel E. Hunt Raymond L. Hutchinson Dick Hendley - IH Services Inc. Inman Stone Company, Inc. Insulfab Plastics Inc., Mr. Charles O. Casey Brindley G. Johnson Harold R. Jones, Sr. James H. Jones Marion Jones, Jr. Robert L. Jones Wendell & Margaret Jones
Milton, GA Williamston, SC Sumter, SC Clemson, SC Hampton, SC Greenville, SC Spartanburg, SC Greenville, SC Pineville, NC Anderson, SC Spartanburg, SC Simpsonville, SC Alpharetta, GA Abbeville, AL Moore, SC Atlanta, GA N. Myrtle Beach, SC Greenwood, SC Aiken, SC Gaffney, SC Charleston, SC Seneca, SC Fernandina Beach, FL North Charleston, SC Seneca, SC Pendleton, SC Kingsport, TN Greenville, SC Laurens, SC Warrensville, NC Thomaston, GA Murrells Inlet, SC Kinston, NC Orangeburg, SC Columbia, SC Walterboro, SC Irmo, SC Easley, SC Rock Hill, SC Greenville, SC Spartanburg, SC
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Columbia, SC Oak Ridge, NC Greenville, SC Goose Creek, SC Columbia, SC Cowpens, SC Clover, SC Missoula, MT Greenville, SC Mills River, NC Mechanicsburg, PA Anderson, SC Mauldin, SC Bennettsville, SC Lexington, SC Greenville, SC Clemson, SC
ORANGE: THE EXPERIENCE
Spartanburg, SC Atlanta, GA Clemson, SC Scottsboro, AL North Augusta, SC Pawleys Island, SC Florence, SC
JERVEY DONOR LIST
Name
City, State
Name
City, State
Name
J. Treadwell Josey Stephen Judy Jim Kaplan Robert Karr Ted C. & Diane Kiel G. A. King, Jr. William D. Kirby Eric Kirkman Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Klepper Michael B Lackey Michael A. Lang Willliam T. Lavender, Jr. James Lemon In memory of Elbert L. Bailes Evelyn F. Lollis David & Cindy Lowery Dr. J. J. Lynn M. L. Ford & Sons Inc. William Malesich Harrison Mandell Dr. M. Christopher Marshall James F. Martin Eric & Paula Massenburg Kathryn Matthews Lanny & Sherry McAlister Peter L. McCall, Jr. Dr. Robert J. McCardle Dr. B. C. McConnell, Jr. Bradford D. McCracken Bill & Ann McCrary David T. McGill James & Deborah McKeown Gordon K McLeod, Jr. Melvin E. Barnette & Associates, Inc. Brian Merriman Kevin Miles Caroline B. Miller E. Lewis Miller, Jr. Mrs. William A. Mitchell Charles E. Moore, Jr. Scott & Gayle Morris Scott Morris Hugh Comer Morrison Douglas Muller Jerry A. Muolo Nalley Equipment Installation James & Anita Ness Ronnie & Ann Nettles Nichols Farm Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Niver Oakbrook Veterinary Clinic Roy R. Jr. & Joyce C. Oates Dr. & Mrs. Edward Odell Forest Pagett
Charleston, SC Mount Pleasant, SC Liberty, SC Mission Viejo, CA Hailey, ID Seneca, SC Greenville, SC Raleigh, NC Fletcher, NC Greer, SC Canton, GA Columbia, SC Columbia, SC Seneca, SC Inman, SC Anderson, SC Easley, SC Clover, SC Simpsonville, SC Earlysville, VA Columbia, SC Edgefield, SC Statesville, NC Manakin-Sabot, VA Cleveland, SC Society Hill, SC Columbia, SC Anderson, SC Easley, SC Chapin, SC Greenwood, SC Blythewood, SC Columbia, SC Pendleton, SC Anderson, SC Rock Hill, SC Anderson, SC Spartanburg, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Salem, SC Raleigh, NC Yemassee, SC John’s Island, SC Greenville, SC Rock Hill, SC Cowpens, SC Ridgeland, SC Prosperity, SC Travelers Rest, SC Summerville, SC Woodruff, SC Florence, SC Madison, GA
Parrott’s Furniture L. R. Patterson R. James Pegues Michael & Diana Percy Thomas B. Pettit, Jr. Dawn Phillips Piedmont Honda Mr. & Mrs. Joseph L. Powell Premier Colors Inc. Charles Price Rex & Sabrina Query Jackson McCarter Quinn Thomas E. & Angela Ragan Rose Mitchell Robert Ragusa W. I. Reardon Barry Reynolds Mathias B. Richardson David K. Rickenbaker H. B. Risher Bradley P. Robertson Michael Robinson/James Jackson Jimmy Rogers Rogers Enterprises T. H. Ryan Jr. Peter E & Lynn Sampson McRoy Sauls/Frank Lowe SCALA Management LLC Glenn & Rita Scoggins John P. Scott Charles & Ashley Segal Mr. G. G. Segars, Jr. James C. Self III Senn Senn & Senn LLC Joseph Steven Shearer Robert & Regina Shelley B. R. & Vickie R. Skelton Greg C. Smith J. Ronald Smith Joy S. & Rock Smith Stephen & Lea Ann Sorensen Doug A. Sparacino Martha Spence Keith Stallings Douglas & April Stambaugh Ken G. Starnes Laura Stechmesser John R. Stephens William D. Stephens Donald E. Stroup Melanie Sullivan Dr. & Mrs. James L. Sutherland T&S Brass & Bronze Works Joe & Pat Tate
Florence, SC Greenville, SC Gilbert, SC Marietta, GA Haymarket, VA Simpsonville, SC Anderson, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Union, SC Gastonia, NC Florence, SC Clover, SC
R. Norman Taylor MD Rock Hill, SC Roy N. Taylor Columbia, SC Spence M. Taylor MD Greenville, SC Tim & Nancy Templeton Rock Hill, SC Stan Terrell Tew Greer, SC Calvin Summey The Lumber Yard Inc. Mauldin, SC James A. & Andrea H. Thomas North Augusta, SC David W. Garrison Sugarhill, GA Heritage Development Corp I Greenville, SC Jeff Tourville Orangeburg, SC F. A. Townsend, Jr. Aiken, SC Mary Townsend Laurens, SC Rich & Donna Tuten Greenville, SC Univar Usa Inc. Spartanburg, SC Hank Unverzagt Suwanee, GA Jerry T. Usher, Jr. Hartsville, SC Frankie J. Vereen Savannah, GA Vulcan Materials Inc. Piedmont, SC Mrs. Carrol H. Warner Wagener, SC Billy G. Watson Spartanburg, SC Jim Watson Clover, SC Charles T. Christopher Watts McCormick, SC Holly & Ryan Weaver Evans, GA Sara K. Wilds Hartsville, SC R. W. Wilkes Anderson, SC David H. Wilkins Greenville, SC Philip C. Wilkins Winnsboro, SC George E. Williams Greenville, SC Joey E. Williams Columbia, SC Robert J. Williams, Jr. Atlanta, GA Windsor Associates Edisto Island, SC Fred S. Winstead Jr. Anderson, SC Thomas J. Wood Lexington, SC Morgan S. Woodward Centerville, VA Frank D. Wyatt Simpsonville, SC George & Karen Wyatt Piedmont, SC Kristen Wyche Greenville, SC Charles Yarber Savannah, GA Jesse & Karen Zdonek Greer, SC
Inman, SC Salem, SC Clemson, SC Blythewood, SC Pendleton, SC Saint Matthews, SC Hilton Head Island, SC Greenville, SC Greenville, SC Inman, SC Sumter, SC Lexington, SC Aiken, SC Birmingham, AL Clemson, SC Alpharetta, GA Greenville, SC Rock Hill, SC Hartsville, SC Greenwood, SC Clemson, SC Easley, SC Simpsonville, SC Clemson, SC Alpharetta, GA Greenville, SC Anderson, SC Roebuck, SC Greer, SC Greenville, SC Woodruff, SC Greenville, SC Fort Mill, SC Decatur, GA Atlanta, GA Aiken, SC Charlotte, NC Columbia, SC Atlanta, GA Travelers Rest, SC Clemson, SC
City, State
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ACC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO CLEMSON FEB. 27 THROUGH MAR. 1 The last time Clemson hosted the conference indoor meet was in 2007, when a speedy freshman sprinter by the name of Jacoby Ford rolled to a facility record time of 6.52 to win the 60-meter dash over a field that included Olympic medalist Walter Dix from Florida State. Photos by Mark Crammer, OrangeandWhite.com
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IPTAY Ms. Jewel Dempsey passed away September 18, 2013. She was an IPTAY Member for 12 years. Mr. Leroy Parker, Jr. passed away October 7, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 36 years. Mr. Michael Brown, Sr. passed away November 1, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 58 years. Mr. James Gardner passed away November 6, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 41 years. Ms. Blanche Galloway passed away November 25, 2013. She was an IPTAY Member for 41 years.
Mr. Jimmy Rogers passed away December 11, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 26 years. Mr. Carl Ackerman passed away December 12, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 52 years. Mr. William Adams passed away December 14, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 45 years. Mr. Thomas Bass passed away December 14, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 34 years. Mr. Evans George, Jr. passed away December 22, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 56 years.
Mr. Clarence Turner, Jr. passed away December 25, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 52 years. Mr. Wiliam Buchanan, Jr. passed away December 27, 2013. He was an IPTAY Member for 34 years. Ms. Beverly Shuler passed away January 4. She was an IPTAY Member for 82 years. Ms. Elizabeth Smith-Cox passed away January 8. She was an IPTAY Member for 43 years. Dr. John Rheney, Jr. passed away January 18. He was an IPTAY Member for 64 years.
Mr. Lloyd C lary passed away January 19. He was an IPTAY Member for 35 years. Ms. Sherrill Hunt passed away January 21. She was an IPTAY Member for 45 years.
F
or more than a century, NBSC has been committed to the needs and dreams of individuals and families seeking financial advice and insight. Today, this heritage of financial responsibility is embodied in unquestioned integrity, exceptional service and seasoned expertise, and delivered through a personalized relationship that is defined solely by your preferences and goals. Visit or call an NBSC Banker to discuss your needs. We look forward to putting our unique combination of services to work for you. www.bankNBSC.com 1-800-708-5687
NBSC is a division of Synovus Bank. Synovus Bank, Member FDIC, is chartered in the state of Georgia and operates under multiple trade names across the Southeast. Divisions of Synovus Bank are not separately FDIC-insured banks. The FDIC coverage extended to deposit customers is that of one insured bank.
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IPTAY R DONotOos ph
ght a (40 inch) Eric Lundblade (‘06) cau tario, Canada. On in e Pik rn the Nor Trophy
mson starting punter in Chuck Lynch (former Cle ey Falcon) with Dabo Swinn 1991 and former Atlanta National Football The at vich ako Rad and Dan , December 2013. Foundation Dinner in NYC
Rachel Youngblood Simmons recently married Nov. 1, 2013. She is the granddaughter of Bobby Ray Youngblood Sr. and Ellen Youngblood.
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Tonya Sims and Shelley Gaskins McCa ll (‘00) were all smiles dressed as CRAZ Y Clemson fans for Halloween at Foun ders Federal Credit Union.
Mac and Susie McDaris celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Mexico with their family.
Kay and Watson Johnson (‘77) on the island of Santorini, Greece in September.
Lucy and Ellie tailgating
in Tiger Town 2013.
Jeff and Meredith Myers Bird (‘09) were married in October 13, 2013. Als o pictured, Rebecca Tay lor (‘11), Rick Sullivan (‘09 ), Angelina Stasulis (‘09 ), Jessica (‘10), and Ross Economy (‘09).
Amber (center) and Corian Wilson (right) welcomed Corian Donell Wilson Jr. (”CJ”) to the family on Dec. 15. Amber is the daughter of Keith (left) and Lynn May, natives of Ohio and longtime Buckeye fans.
Clemson Tiger fans in Alliance, OH. Submitted by Bob Bartholomew.
lissa Sudol (‘12) on Katie Sudol (left) and Me December. this ba Aru in n vacatio
Anna Lindley Dunham was born on Aug. 3, 2013 to Jennifer and Ray Dunham, great granddaughter of Wallace Ackerman (‘41).
David and Linda Allen in Dabo, France.
Alivia Ruth Wallace was born Sept. 26, 2013, granddaughter of Sidney Wallace. She already knows who is No. 1!
DeLacy Poletti, daughter of Manda (‘93) and Steve Poletti. DeLacy’s favorite Rally Cat for the past four years, Anne Marie.
rs (MBA ‘05) and Angela Michelle Maste in Kauai, Hawaii. her son, Noah Masters,
Hannah, Caleb and Hal lie Robson, triplet grandchildren of Amy Drafts Robson (’81) and Jeff Robson (’80), born on Oct. 26, 2013.
John Hollingsworth (‘73) and son Jake show their Tiger pride at the other Death Valley, CA.
Addi Grace (3 years old) and Tucker (born Oct. 22, 2013) are the children of Corey and Jessica (‘01) Chapman, the grandchildren of Ronnie (‘75) and Brenda Millender and the niece and nephew of Meredith Millender (‘03).
Jack Ross Brewster IV bor n on Aug. 21, 2013 to Kimberly (Enfield) Bre wster (‘03) and Jack Ross Brewster III (‘03 ).
Ty Davis (4) of Taylors, SC at Howard’s Rock. He is the great grandson of John E. Bradley (‘58) and grandson of Guy Davis (‘71).
Steve Shafer (‘93, M HR ‘95) and Jason Blodgett (‘93) in July of this year at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England.
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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The Impact of Boyd and Watkins by Tim Bourret
M
y first year at Clemson was the fall of 1978, and the timing was perfect. The Tigers had a great defense, but the offense featured the passing combination of Steve Fuller and Jerry Butler. They were common denominators in the greatest turnaround in Clemson history. When they were freshmen in 1975, the Tigers were 2-9, still the most losses in a season in school history. Three years later, the Tigers finished with an 11-1 record, an ACC Championship and a No. 6 final ranking, at the time, the highest in Clemson history. Fuller finished the year sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting, was a firstteam Academic All-American and third-team All-American on the field, while Butler was a consensus first-team All-American and the No. 5 pick of the NFL Draft. Their impact on the Clemson program had been immense, as the Tigers had not been to a bowl game from 1960 to 1976. Since the 1977 season when Fuller and Butler were juniors, Clemson has been to 29 bowl games in 37 years. Now, that is an impact on a program. Many other Clemson greats have had a significant impact on the Clemson program over the last 36 years. The 1981 National Championship team included future Ring of Honor members Jeff Davis and Terry Kinard. These two consensus first-team All-America defenders went on to induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the only duo from the same recruiting class to make the Hall of Fame in ACC history. Oh, the stories of freakish athletic plays I recall involving William Perry (check a recent edition of The Last Word). The Tigers lost just one home game in four years the Fridge played in Death Valley. C.J. Spiller was in a class by himself when it
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ORANGE: THE EXPERIENCE
came to being an all-purpose offensive player. His 7,588 yards are still 1,700 more than any other ACC player in history. His senior year, the Tigers finally reached the ACC Championship game and his 300-yard performance in that game in Tampa, FL will never be forgotten. When Spiller graduated in December of 2009, I wondered if we would ever see anyone quite like him in terms of his aura on and off the field. But, Spiller set a daily example for a true freshman quarterback named Tajh Boyd in the fall of 2009. His performance on television and corresponding notoriety on the way to a sixth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy race that year attracted the attention of a Fort Myers, FL wide receiver prospect named Sammy Watkins. When Watkins signed in February of 2011, Brad Scott, who had recruited him to Clemson, told me he was as exciting a player as
Spiller and would bring the program to a new level. Now three years later, the state of the Clemson program indicates that Scott is a soothsayer. Over the last three years, the Tigers have won at least 10 games each year, a first for Clemson since the 1987-90 era. The Tigers have won an ACC Championship, and finished in the top 25 of the final polls three consecutive years, including a pair of top-10 final rankings, the first time Clemson has had back to back top-10 seasons since 1987 and 1988. Overall, the program has 32 wins, including 21 against ACC teams, the most in a three-year period in school history in terms of overall wins and league wins. The Tigers have collected eight wins over top-25 teams, including wins over top-10 programs Virginia Tech (twice), Georgia, LSU and Ohio State. Clemson is the only program in the country to defeat a top-10 team in a bowl game each of the last two years. Boyd started every game at quarterback the last three years and his 32 wins tied Rodney Williams (1985-88) as the winningest quarterback in Clemson history. He set 57 records, including ACC marks for total offense, touchdown passes and touchdown responsibility. Watkins leaves Clemson with 27 marks, including records for receptions and reception yards on a game, season and career basis. His 27 touchdown receptions tied the career mark held by former teammate DeAndre Hopkins. Their final game together will bring smiles to Clemson fans for a long time. Boyd had 505 yards of total offense and accounted for all six Clemson touchdowns, while Watkins had 16 receptions for 227 yards and two scores. The receptions and yards were the most in the history of the Orange Bowl, a game that dates to 1935. Clemson beat an Ohio State team that had finished the regular season on a 24-game winning streak. The 40-35 victory led to a No. 7 final ranking for the program, the highest final ranking since Davis and Kinard led the Tigers to the 1981 National Championship. So, how will Boyd and Watkins be remembered? Just compare the program in 2010 to the program today. Forty-six straight weeks in the top 25 of both polls, consecutive top-10 final rankings and five wins over top-10 teams have made Clemson a nationally relevant program. It has been an impact, and a legacy, that ranks right up there with Fuller and Butler. — photo by Carl Ackerman
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For sale or lease
“Come for the water. Stay for the friends.”
Cottages and Paired Homes in Waterfront Community 5 minutes from Clemson campus.
Tom Winkopp Realtor/Developer, LLC, 391 College Avenue, Suite 103 • Clemson, SC 29631
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Phone: 864 654 7549 for Leasing • 864 654 2200 for Sales O R A N G E : T H E E X P E R I E N Cwww.thepieratclemson.com E