Since 1934, IPTAY members have made an incredible impact in the lives of Clemson studentathletes. In the classroom, in athletic competition and beyond, the success of our Tigers starts with those on the IPTAY team!
Loyal supporters have helped IPTAY evolve into one of the strongest and most generous organizations for philanthropic giving nationally and serve as a bedrock of Clemson’s 21-sport program! Every gift at every level directly supports the success of the hundreds of Tiger student-athletes. With new legislation and the climate of intercollegiate athletics unfolding, IPTAY remains committed to its mission of providing resources to support the academic, athletic, and personal development of Clemson University student-athletes and the competitive success of Clemson Athletics.
One piece of legislation specific to IPTAY is the change from scholarship limits to roster limits. In 2025, the current scholarship model is changing significantly due to the House Settlement, which received approval on June 6, 2025. With this recent approval, roster limits will be put in place for all NCAA-sponsored sports. In addition to roster limits, there will now be no cap on student-athlete scholarships up to the roster limit.
With student-athlete scholarships at the core of the organization’s mission, IPTAY will continue to prioritize this growing expense. To meet this need and others, IPTAY’s annual fund giving levels are being adjusted for IPTAY 2026. These adjustments will allow Clemson Athletics to approach scholarship deregulation aggressively and fully support the continued recent growth of women’s athletics at Clemson. We are grateful for the Clemson Family and its unrivaled student-athlete support. That unwavering support will continue to be a difference maker for our young men and women who proudly wear the Paw today and into the future.
IPTAY GIVING LEVEL CHANGES FOR FY 2026 GIFTS TO IPTAY
FUEL CLEMSON TIGER
OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT*
Clemson University student-athletes improved their overall GPA for the ninth consecutive semester, earning a record 3.35 cumulative GPA in the spring 2025 semester. It marked the 14th semester in a row greater than 3.0, dating to the fall of 2018. Every Clemson team recorded a 3.0 or higher for each of the past four semesters.
Three programs set or tied semester GPA records, with women’s basketball (3.56), rowing (3.51) and men’s golf (3.46) setting program records. NCAA Tournament participants men’s tennis (3.59) and women’s tennis (3.63) led all men’s and women’s programs, respectively.
The Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, supported by the generosity of IPTAY members, has maintained Clemson as one of the national leaders in academic success, which saw Clemson post a 95 percent Graduation Success Rate in the most recent cohort, tops among all public Power Five institutions for the second straight year. Clemson also had a department mark of 996 out of 1000 in the most recent Academic Progress Rate data.
OVERALL ACADEMIC NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS
• Clemson’s 467 undergraduate student-athletes earned a 3.31, and 62 graduate students earned a 3.77.
• A total of 420 student-athletes earned a 3.0 or better (79.4% of all student-athletes), and 109 individuals earned a 4.0.
• Forty-seven student-athletes currently carry a cumulative GPA of 4.0.
• Thirteen programs recorded a 3.30 or better, and 11 were above a 3.40.
TEAM ACADEMIC NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS
• The WOMEN’S SOCCER program (3.64) upped its streak to 49 straight semesters (dating to the fall of 2000) at 3.0 or better and has been above a cumulative 3.55 for the past 11 semesters.
• WOMEN’S TENNIS posted a 3.65 in the fall and a 3.63 in the spring, its two highest GPAs on record.
• The FOOTBALL program recorded a 3.18, just 0.01 off its best mark, set in the fall. A total of 80 football student-athletes earned a 3.0 or better, including 20 who earned a 4.0.
• In setting a program mark at 3.57, VOLLEYBALL has been at 3.42 or better in five of the past six semesters and has 13 straight semesters at 3.0 or higher.
• The MEN’S BASKETBALL program has been at 3.0 or better in six of the past seven semesters.
• BASEBALL’S five best semesters in team history have come in the past six semesters.
• WOMEN’S GOLF (3.53) has been at 3.0 or better in all 24 semesters since joining in the fall of 2013, and surpassed its previous record of 3.50, set in spring 2019.
• WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (3.56) surpassed its previous record of a 3.51 in Shawn Poppie’s first full semester as head coach and has been above a 3.0 in ten of the past 11 semesters.
• ROWING has been above a 3.0 in 31 straight semesters and recorded its 53rd 3.0 or better in 54 total semesters since joining in the fall of 1998.
• GYMNASTICS recorded a 3.55, and has been at 3.50 or better in all five semesters in which they’ve participated.
*Notes and GPAs reflect academic achievement through the spring 2025 semester.
GROWTH IN STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS
At its core, IPTAY’s mission is to provide resources to support the academic, athletic, and personal development of Clemson University student-athletes and the competitive success of Clemson Athletics. Of that mission, perhaps the most significant throughout the organization’s more than 90-year history has been to provide scholarships to Clemson student-athletes. With the incredible support from members, IPTAY has and continues to fund the maximum number of scholarships permitted in each varsity sport allowed by the NCAA. By doing so, Clemson holds a competitive advantage in athletic competition and the opportunity to transform the greatest number of lives through a world-class student-athlete experience.
Beginning July 1, 2025, with the implementation of the recently passed legislation from the House settlement, the scholarship model is changing from scholarship limits to roster limits with no cap on student-athlete scholarships up to the roster limit. Each institution can decide how many scholarships to award up to the total number of roster spots for each sport. With this change, IPTAY and Clemson Athletics plan to be very aggressive in providing scholarships to our student-athletes.
IPTAY plans to invest in 150 new full scholarship opportunities through a phased approach, which will come at an approximate additional cost of $6 million. These 150 new scholarships are in addition to the 270 scholarships already provided to student-athletes. These additional scholarships constitute a significant investment in our student-athletes and athletic programs, and IPTAY is committed to providing more student-athletes with scholarships. Below is a breakdown of Clemson Athletics’ annual scholarship expense funded by IPTAY, as well as an expected growth in the total number of scholarships awarded to Clemson student-athletes.
INCREASED STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP EXPENSE
GROWTH IN SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR CLEMSON STUDENT-ATHLETES
With this aggressive approach comes a significant expense and a greater need to support the success of Clemson student-athletes. IPTAY remains the engine that drives Clemson Athletics’ educational mission in the form of scholarships, in addition to providing resources for facility improvements, student-athlete health and wellness, and much more. These new roster limits and the addition of 150 new scholarship opportunities across our various programs means there is now more need than ever to fund scholarships for our deserving student-athletes. Your continued support of IPTAY is an investment in the young people across our 21 varsity sports and Clemson’s continued competitive success.
*Projections
NEW GIVING LEVELS
The increases below are the first adjustments to the IPTAY annual levels since FY 2020 and will go into effect July 1, 2025. These new membership donation amounts will be reflected in all membership materials and communications for the IPTAY 2026 year. Please note that these level increases have been approved and endorsed by the IPTAY Board of Directors, the IPTAY CEO and the Director of Athletics.
NEW GIVING LEVELS TO BEGIN JULY 1, 2025
IPTAY donors across the state of South Carolina and across the country continue to be the backbone of our program. During a time of major growth within the University and intercollegiate athletics, private support is the key to continued success at the highest level. On behalf of our hundreds of studentathletes, THANK YOU for your commitment to the Clemson athletic program. IPTAY truly is the power behind the Paw!
MEMBERSHIP TIMELINE
All eligible donors who meet this deadline will receive a football season ticket & parking application. MARCH 15, 2026: FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET & PARKING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE JUNE 1, 2026: ALL PLEDGES FOR THE IPTAY 2026 YEAR ARE DUE JUNE 30, 2026: IPTAY 2026 ENDS
All applications received after this date will be applied to the IPTAY 2027 year.
IPTAY IS THE HEART OF CLEMSON ATHLETICS!
SINCE 1934!
Clemson had just been defeated 6-0 by The Citadel, and it was not the only defeat that year. Fans were despondent. Joe Davis, Frank Jervey and Peter Hefner asked then-Coach Jess Neely how much money it would take for him to put out a good team. He replied that he thought he could do it with $10,000 a year.
The group decided to ask team supporters for $50 a year, but that amount proved to be too much in the middle of the Great Depression. But Rupert Fike met with other Clemson alums and penned the letter to Coach Neely that officially got the ball rolling: “Dear Coach, last night we had a little meeting at my house and organized the IPTAY Club.”
IPTAY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
IPTAY provides millions of dollars in support for 21 varsity sports and various other programs that enrich the lives of Clemson student-athletes. For decades, scholarship funding for student-athletes has been a primary IPTAY funding initiative; however, over time, the scope of what IPTAY supports has increased significantly. In addition to student-athlete scholarships, donations to IPTAY support:
DONATION SUPPORT
3 Annual scholarships
3 Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center
3 Student-athlete enrichment programs
3 New and upgraded facilities
3 IPTAY operations
3 Nutrition services
3 Strength & conditioning
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3 Reserve funding for priority needs
3 Endowment funding
3 Special programming for student-athletes
3 Tiger Band
3 Cheer
3 Mascots
Just as it was envisioned by Rupert Fike in 1934, IPTAY is about a loyal fan base of supporters at all levels. Annual giving levels start at just $60 and come with a host of great benefits. Benefits include ticket priorities for home games and post-season events, parking for home football and men’s basketball games, ORANGE: The Experience magazine, credential packet, car decals, annual discount at shop.clemsontigers.com, My Orange Update; IPTAY’s weekly e-newsletter and more! Be a part of the “Power Behind the Paw” and join IPTAY today!
