OTE Volume 17 Issue 2

Published exclusively for donors to the Clemson University IPTAY scholarship fund.

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 -1-

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ORANGE: The Experience

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IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 -1-

CONTENT

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18

22

RJ GODFREY AND HIS RETURN TO THE TIGERS

FINDING BALANCE

FINDING HOME FAR FROM HOME

For his senior season, forward RJ Godfrey returns to Clemson Men’s Basketball.

First-year student Emma Malewski brings elite international experience to the young Clemson program.

CO-EDITORS

CONTRIBUTORS

Ashby Burton Kelsey Tibbs Ben Winterrowd

Davis Babb Tim Bourret Ashby Burton Henry Carter Aaron Clune Claire Crocker

ART DIRECTOR

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30

BOND FROM GIVING DISTINGUISHED BACK TO ATHLETES GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD

Chasing dreams across continents - Rusne Augustinaite’s path to Clemson.

Former Tiger Baseball studentathlete, Manning N. “Nick” Lomax, receives the 2025 Bond Distinguished Athletes Award.

Associate Head Coach Lennox Graham’s coaching career is built on service, shaped by family, and defined by the lives he has helped transform.

Linda Davis Andrew Gapinski Brian Hennessy Nik Johnson Jeff Kallin Reed Kramer

Rett Rutland Ryan Sauline Gabe Smith Caroline-James Warner William Warren

Dylan Whitman Ben Winterrowd

Kelsey Tibbs

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36

40

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BUILDING UP GRIT

WOMEN’S GOLF READY FOR 2026

SPIRIT SQUAD SPOTLIGHT

BEYOND THE MUSIC

BROWN FAMILY PAVILION TOPS OUT

Golf seniors learning to lead and looking to return to the NCAA Championship.

Tigers have a strong mix of familiar faces, new blood to take the next step.

Highlighting two students from the Rally Cat and Cheer programs.

Tiger Band continues to find ways to make an impact.

An update on Clemson’s latest construction project.

Orange: The Experience is published four times annually exclusively for donors to the IPTAY Scholarship Fund. A minimum priority contribution is $75, but contributions of all amounts are welcome. To join IPTAY, call 864-656-2115 or log on to ClemsonTigers.com/IPTAY. To advertise in this publication, contact Mike Money by email at mmoney@clemson.edu If you have recently changed an address or phone number, please call the IPTAY office at 864-656-2115 or visit ClemsonTigers.com and click on the IPTAY tab. You may also send your name, IPTAY number, new mailing address, email address or phone number to: IPTAY, P.O. Box 1529, Clemson, SC 29633.

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FROM THE IPTAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

B

ack in January, I shared with the IPTAY membership about IPTAY CEO Davis Babb’s plans to retire on June 30, 2026, at the end of the fiscal year. I hope that you were able to read that note. In case you missed it, here is a summary of what you missed.

Over the past year, the IPTAY Board of Directors has been working closely with CEO Davis Babb on preparing for IPTAY’s future. In 2022, Davis signed a contract that would take him through his retirement at the end of the IPTAY 2026 year, June 30, 2026. Now well into the 2026 calendar year, we wanted to inform you that these plans are taking shape.

In the fall, I, along with Davis, informed the IPTAY staff and members of the campus community that the process of finding IPTAY’s next leader would begin in early 2026. The IPTAY Board of Directors is now initiating this search and has engaged Parker Executive Search to assist in this process. We have launched the public phase of our search for the organization’s next CEO. Please know, with many priorities for the organization, Davis will continue his leadership throughout the year as IPTAY remains focused on achieving all FY26 goals. After June 30, Davis will remain available in an advisory capacity to support the new CEO and the organization.

We are excited for Davis and his wife, Anne, to begin this next chapter, as they will be able to spend time visiting

their children and grandchildren and enjoying all that retirement has to offer.

As you see Davis and Anne at events in the coming months, I encourage you to wish them well and thank Davis for his contributions to IPTAY over the last 13 years.

Since I last wrote to you in January, the IPTAY Board of Directors has initiated the process of interviewing candidates to fill this role. We have spoken with many qualified individuals and continue to narrow the search.

Thanks to people like you, IPTAY remains a successful organization and continues to support hundreds of student-athletes each year. Davis has done an incredible job of keeping IPTAY mission-driven, and I do not doubt that IPTAY’s next leader will be successful because of the work Davis has done and because of the mission that has guided this organization over the last nine decades. As we move into the future, I am confident that people like you will continue to make a difference.

In the following pages, I encourage you to read more about Davis’s tenure and how he’s being celebrated.

As the coming weeks and months progress, the IPTAY Board of Directors looks forward to sharing more with you as this search progresses, and thanks you for your continued support of Clemson student-athletes.

Before I close, I want to share my condolences for a member of the IPTAY Board. In November, the IPTAY Board of

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Directors lost an influential figure, Past President Thurmon McLamb. For those that knew Thurmon, they knew his commitment to Clemson was deep, and his service to IPTAY was immeasurable.

He served the IPTAY Board for over 40 years, and was committed to IPTAY and its mission. He loved following his Tigers, and rarely passed an opportunity to travel where the Tigers played. Our thoughts and prayers have been with Thurmon’s family, and his presence and wisdom will be missed on the IPTAY Board of Directors.

RETT RUTLAND PRESIDENT, IPTAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THURMON McLAMB March 19, 1935 - November 14, 2025

IPTAY CEO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RETIRE IPTAY CEO Davis Babb announced that he will retire from his position at the end of the IPTAY 2026 Fiscal Year

I

PTAY CEO Davis Babb announced that he will retire from his position at the end of the IPTAY 2026 Fiscal Year, June 30, 2026. Babb has served in this capacity since 2013, when he came to Clemson and became the organization’s first CEO under the current structure.

Babb’s tenure as CEO has helped IPTAY grow to new heights with significant increases annually in annual giving, major gifts, the addition of premium seating, facility growth and expansion, and increased support provided to Clemson Athletics and the hundreds of student-athletes that IPTAY supports.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been welcomed into the Clemson Family and to serve this organization since 2013,” said Davis Babb. “I

am thankful for the trust the IPTAY Board of Directors instilled in me to help guide this organization over the last 13 years. I am proud of what has been accomplished during this time and would like to extend my gratitude to each IPTAY member who has been an integral part of this team for many years. Clemson is a special place because of the people, and the success of Clemson Athletics depends on the support of each of these individuals.”

During Babb’s time at Clemson, he helped implement the Athletic Cornerstone Partner Program, which was formed to focus on growing the athletic endowment. Beginning in 2015, the Cornerstone program now has 32 donors who have made 36 gifts of $2.5M or more totaling more than

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$165 million. This program has helped change the trajectory of Clemson Athletics.

In 2013, the IPTAY organization raised $26.6 million. In the most recent fiscal year, ending June 30, 2025, the One IPTAY enterprise totaled $88.09 million. During Babb’s oversight of the IPTAY organization, the Clemson Athletic fundraising arm has totaled over $888M in contributions to support Clemson Athletics.

Since Babb’s first year at IPTAY, the IPTAY Annual Fund total giving has doubled, major gift annual totals have continually increased, and the IPTAY organization has grown exponentially.

In this time, Clemson has won National Championships, multiple ACC Championships, set records in

the classroom with team GPAs and APR scores, started four new athletic programs, and built or renovated over 15 facilities.

“Davis Babb has provided incredible leadership for IPTAY and has been a trusted partner for the past 13 years, which has been transformational for Clemson,” said Director of Athletics Graham Neff. “Davis’s love of Clemson and willingness to adapt and modernize has made a major impact on the studentathlete experience, donor engagement, academic accomplishment, and health and wellness. We are so appreciative of

Davis, Anne, and their family, and wish them all the best in the future.”

“I thank our Director of Athletics, Graham Neff, for his continued support of IPTAY,” said Babb. “His leadership has continued to guide Clemson Athletics and IPTAY’s support to unprecedented levels. The Clemson Athletic and IPTAY relationship remains strong, and I know that Graham’s commitment to IPTAY will continue to prove valuable during the search for IPTAY’s next leader.”

“Davis’s leadership has continued to elevate IPTAY as a leader in the

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collegiate athletic fundraising space,” said IPTAY Board of Directors President Rett Rutland. “We thank Davis for his leadership since 2013, and I look forward to continuing to work with Davis throughout this transition and beyond.”

IPTAY will engage with Parker Executive Search to find the organization’s next CEO.

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MOMENT IN CLEMSON HISTORY On February 24, 1990, Elden Campbell made a free throw to break Butch Zatezalo’s career scoring record. The game was stopped so Zatezalo could walk onto the court to congratulate Campbell on breaking his record.

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CARMINE GEMEI IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 -9-

TIGER LETTERWINNERS BY: TIM BOURRET

SPOTLIGHT

T

he Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award is presented each year to a former Clemson Football player. The requirements for receiving the award are to consistently demonstrate the qualities of leadership, community service, and other highcaliber traits that are consistent with excellence since graduation.

The award is named after Brian Dawkins, the Clemson All-American safety who had nine Pro Bowl seasons with the Eagles and Broncos over 16 years. He was the first former Tiger to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This year’s recipient is former AllAmerican defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who followed a similar path to stardom as Dawkins. Jarrett and Dawkins were considered three-star defensive players coming out of high school and played in reserve roles as freshmen at Clemson.

However, this didn’t stop them, as they both relied on an unquenchable thirst to improve over their Clemson careers, becoming All-Americans as seniors and then NFL Pro Bowlers.

“This honor means so much to me because my legacy is now attached to someone as great as Brian Dawkins,” said Jarrett when he accepted the award. “Brian set the tone as a Clemson great and as an NFL Hall of Famer in every aspect, whether it be on the field, off the field, and as a team leader.”

Jarrett was a mainstay on the defensive line for Clemson between 2012-14. He was a first-team All-ACC

tackle in 2013 and 2014 and thirdteam All-American as a senior. In the 2014 season, he was a big reason Clemson led the nation in total defense for just the second time in history.

This accomplishment was one of nine statistical categories in which Clemson ranked number one in the nation.

The Tigers won the ACC Championship in his freshman year in 2011. Jarrett also won bowl games against LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma in his last three years, respectively, to finish in the top 15 of the AP poll each season.

He finished his Clemson career with 207 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and four fumble recoveries. That production helped him become a fifth-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the spring of 2015.

Just as he did at Clemson, Jarrett proved the doubters wrong in the NFL. He played ten seasons with the Falcons and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020. His most memorable game took place in the Falcons’ Super Bowl appearance at the end of the 2016 season vs. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Jarrett sacked Brady three times in the game; his record is still the second most sacks in a Super Bowl by an individual.

Jarrett is an NFL starter, now with the Chicago Bears. He helped the Bears to the playoffs in 2025 as a starting defensive tackle. Over 11 NFL seasons, he has played in 166 games, 141 of which were as a starter, has 535 career tackles, including 281 solo stops.

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Jarrett also has 78 career tackles for loss, 38 of which are sacks.

Brian Dawkins was known as a leader at Clemson and in the NFL. Jarrett has followed that path as well, first as a Clemson captain as a senior in 2014, then as a multi-year captain with the Falcons. That example of leadership reached a new level this year when he was named one of the Bears’ captains in his first year with the franchise.

This is an example of Jarrett’s level of respect across the league.

Community service is also a consideration when it comes to the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award. Jarrett has a long resume of community service involvement over his NFL career. In 2018 and 2024, he was named the Atlanta Falcons nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. This award is presented annually by the NFL to honor a player for their commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as being successful on the field.

Jarrett was nominated for his work in the Atlanta community through his Grady Gives Foundation. This foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that advocates for and promotes awareness of causes such as anti-bullying, literacy awareness, and empowering youth and young adults to discover their purpose in life.

Grady Gives supports and provides funding to a host of causes. In the past, three organizations have been supported: including The Rally Foundation (which helps children with cancer), Restoration-Atlanta (which helps women and children transition out of homelessness), and CHOAChildren’s Healthcare of Atlanta (which helps families affected by fire and other tragedies).

There are many great things to be said about Jarrett and his accomplishments over the years. Dabo Swinney says it best, “I am so proud of what Grady Jarrett has accomplished over his career at Clemson and in the NFL. He continues to be one of the best representatives of our program, and I am sure that will be the case for many years to come.”

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BEYOND THE GAME BY: BEN WINTERROWD

OSCAR VALDEMAR HOLM BREDKJǼR MEN’S GOLF | JUNIOR | FREDERIKSBERG, BAEKMARKSBRO, DENMARK

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HOW WAS LIFE GROWING UP IN DENMARK, AND WHAT DID YOU DO FOR FUN BESIDES GOLF? OB: Growing up in Copenhagen, Denmark, was very different from Clemson. It is a big city with endless possibilities for activities, but I always found sports to be the most fun. Even as a teenager, when a lot of my friends loved video games, I would rather play soccer or any other sport.

WHY CLEMSON? OB: I had heard great things about Clemson from an alum on the team, Jonathan Nielsen. I could feel the family atmosphere that I really appreciated. I got to talk to Coach Byrd and Coach Castles about what they were about, as well as everything Clemson had to offer to develop my game and develop as a person.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING GOLF, AND WHO GOT YOU INTO IT? OB: I hit my first golf ball when I was three years old. My grandad would take me. I was more interested in soccer growing up, and it wasn’t until I was nine that I started to take a bigger liking to golf. But after I started playing in a club at home, I found out I would like to play golf more than soccer, and I have been bitten ever since.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO GO TO COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WAS THE TRANSITION CHALLENGING? OB: I think I knew early on I wanted to come to the U.S. to play golf. I must have been around 15, I think. The problem was I wasn’t good enough to go straight to a big, great school like Clemson. So for me, having to go to JUCO was my best option.

The transition was challenging in many ways, but it wasn’t as big as it could have been because I started at a college and had a roommate who is one of my best friends from back home.

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DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE PLAYING IN THE WORLD AMATEUR IN 2025.

OB: It is always a great experience when you get to play for your country, but going to Singapore wearing the Danish flag was special. Competing against so many great players from all around the world was awesome. Both to get better and learn, but also to see the other cultures and make new connections in the sport.

YOU’VE BEEN A WORLD TRAVELER OVER THE PAST YEAR, TRANSFERRING FROM SAN FRANCISCO ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PLAYING IN SINGAPORE, AND NOW DUBAI. HOW HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN FOR YOU? OB: I love to travel and see new places, so I am extremely grateful that golf has brought me to so many unique and interesting places. I get to play and practice at many beautiful places, and it makes it easy to appreciate everything I have gotten. However, it is not always easy to travel or to transfer and having to figure everything out again.

RJ GODFREY AND HIS RETURN TO THE TIGERS For his senior season, forward RJ Godfrey returns to Clemson Men’s Basketball.

BY: CAROLINE-JAMES WARNER

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S

enior forward RJ Godfrey has been a game-changer for Clemson Men’s Basketball, consistently making gains on the court. Currently in his senior season, Godfrey has appeared in well over 100 collegiate games, playing for both the Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs. He has a career-high of 21 points scored in a single game, and has had two appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including an Elite Eight run with the Tigers in the 2023-24 season. Now, in his final year, fans are seeing Godfrey dominate Littlejohn Coliseum and prove integral to the Clemson Men’s Basketball team’s success.

The Suwannee, Ga., native has been involved in sports as long as he can remember. As a child, his parents encouraged Godfrey to explore a wide range of after-school activities, including piano, soccer, baseball, football, tennis, and, of course, basketball. Godfrey’s connection to basketball was cemented with his family sitting down each spring to watch March Madness and the NBA Finals. Until beginning his collegiate career with Clemson, Godfrey played a variety of positions in basketball.

However, during his freshman year, Godfrey made the switch to exclusively playing forward after figuring out how to use his size most effectively.

In the 2023-24 season, Godfrey appeared in all 36 games, including an impressive run in March Madness, aiding the Tigers’ Elite Eight run – their first since 1980. Godfrey made a program switch for his junior season,

transferring to Georgia for the 2024-25 year, which saw him start in 33 games and culminate with Godfrey’s second trip to the NCAA Tournament. Godfrey defines his biggest takeaway from his season at UGA as “consistency,” elaborating that he thinks consistency is necessary not only in your work, but in every aspect of your life if you want to see the fruit grow and reap what you sow.

After spending last season playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, Godfrey moved quickly to make a return to Clemson and Littlejohn Coliseum. For the 202526 season, Godfrey has his sights set on winning a championship. “Whether it’s an ACC Tournament, ACC Regular Season, or National Championship, I want to walk away with a trophy. I want to walk away knowing that I won, that I was the best,” said RJ.

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When asked what made him want to return to Clemson for his senior season, Godfrey explained that, Clemson has a special place in his heart. And looking back, he realized Clemson was special, and was his athletic and academic home from the first practice. It was ultimately his love for Clemson and his sense of belonging that led Godfrey back to the program he began his collegiate career with. Godfrey reflects, “When you do something outside of Clemson for the first time, it’s like ‘blah.’ And [it’s] partially because I built something here. It’s just something that’s hard to match.” During his time away from his first collegiate home, Godfrey realized that when you’re in Clemson so long, you fall in love with it, that’s why people miss it.

A smile appears on Godfrey’s face when reflecting on what exactly makes

the Tigers’ Men’s Basketball program so special. “I don’t want to sound cliché because you hear it all the time, but it’s like a family. Ever since I’ve been here, my freshman year, just coming in, everyone cared — like there was no type of self-agenda. It was always about the team. And I think that just that ideology allows us to have a family mentality.” He adds, “I just think the family mentality, you hear the football team talk about it, you hear all the sports talk about it, but the family feel here is real — it actually exists.”

The love and support radiating in the Clemson Basketball culture is shown

from the fans as well. Godfrey truly appreciates the love and support he and the team receive from the Tigers’ fans and supporters. One aspect that truly marks Clemson’s fans as awesome is the feeling that they are not only invested in the game and in the wins, but Godfrey feels they are invested in you as a person.

The family feeling Godfrey has experienced at Clemson is not exclusive to men’s basketball but also extends to his academic career. After considering a variety of academic areas, Godfrey decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism

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management (PRTM). “And man, the people in PRTM have been so nice.” He laughs and discloses, “I don’t want to sound cliché once again, but the PRTM majors, like everyone knows everyone.

All the teachers and the students know each other. So, I’m glad I got to stick with PRTM these last few years.”

When Godfrey looks back at his years of collegiate basketball, his experience in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament stands out as his favorite.

It’s not only Godfrey’s memories on the court, but all the time spent with his teammates that secures the tournament as one of his favorite chapters in his

collegiate career. He smiles, saying, “Traveling to Memphis…being on a plane for so long and talking to each other and watching movies together, like I think, just that whole experience is cool. [It] was probably the most fun I ever had.” He adds, “Every day felt like it only lasted five minutes. So that’s when I knew it was a special time that I needed to cherish.”

Considering the lessons he’s learned throughout his years as a college basketball player, Godfrey considers one of the most significant to be the reality that, “Sometimes things are not going to go your way. Sometimes, you can try your best, and it’s not enough.

And I’m not saying accept defeat, but you can’t always win, and you can learn from it. In everything there is a learning lesson.”

Outside of basketball, Godfrey has multiple passions. He considers himself a huge history buff and lights up when discussing the eras of history he finds most interesting, including The Crusades and the Mongol Empire.

He reflects on his passion for history, “I care a lot about what went on in the past and how it changed our world today…I like learning about how our world is run.”

After graduating from Clemson, Godfrey aims to play basketball professionally, while also being interested in various professional roles within the basketball world, including assistant coaching and broadcasting.

He adds, “I love learning about other people, [and] getting to know and learn the game.”

Godfrey has truly grown through all the opportunities and challenges he has faced in his collegiate basketball career. “I’m totally a different person than when I got to college. I’ve seen vast improvements, not only in my basketball game, but just in my work ethic and in my daily life too. I just feel like I’m more disciplined.”

That’s a testament to the culture that Clemson Men’s Basketball encompasses — a culture Godfrey is glad to spend his senior season playing for in 2025-26.

I don’t want to sound cliché “because you hear it all the time, but it’s like a family.

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”

FINDING BALANCE First-year student Emma Malewski brings elite international experience to the young Clemson program.

BY: JEFF KALLIN

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A

gymnastics beam is sixteen feet, five inches long, and four inches wide. And yet, for Emma Malewski, it’s enough to connect two intimate worlds — one as an experienced international competitor and European champion from Hamburg, Germany, and the other as a freshman studentathlete at Clemson University.

Top-level gymnastics has been a goal for Malewski since she was young, and she has dedicated most of her life to the sport, moving five hours from home to a boarding school at the age of 12 to begin training more than 30 hours per week.

“I grew up in a very athletic family,” said Malewski. “Both of my parents did sports at a high level. Because of this, I tried many different sports when I was younger. I was a very active kid. I found gymnastics, and that was the sport I stuck with. I started gymnastics when I was six years old, and pretty early on I had very high standards for myself.

I wanted to be one of the best, so I trained extremely hard.”

Malewski’s engagement with the Federation of International Gymnastics and Team Germany has led to opportunities all over the world, especially after finding significant success at a young age. After earning silver in the junior European all-around at 13 years old in 2017, she won gold in beam, bars, and floor at the 2019 Junior German Championships and began competing at the senior national level for Germany at 17, participating in the European Championships three times.

In 2022, one of her major breakthroughs came as she won gold on beam over 118 other competitors, helping Germany earn a bronze medal, and finishing 13th in the all-around at the European Championships. She began training for the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Olympic IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 19 -

Games, but suffered separate injuries in each case that held her out of competition.

“My entire life was about being the best and achieving more and more and more,” Malewski said. “And I loved it, and I love it now, but I wanted something new — getting my smile back and having fun with what I am doing. There was a time I had my injuries, and I didn’t want to come back to the gym.”

“I wanted to quit gymnastics,” she continued. “I wanted to find something where I can say — because I love the sport — that I want to do gymnastics, and have fun doing it, and I’m happy.”

She worked diligently to recover and continued her decorated competitive career right up until her enrollment at Clemson, reaching the medal stand at the World University Games in August 2025.

THE CLEMSON PROGRAM Clemson is in a unique place. The program is in just its third competitive season, yet the Tigers earned NCAA bids in each of their first two seasons and won a play-in dual to reach the Regional Quarterfinal meet in 2025. They practice in a sparkling 21,000-squarefoot dedicated gymnastics facility and compete in Littlejohn Coliseum, averaging more than 8,000 fans per meet in each of the first two seasons, placing the team among the top ten nationally.

In May 2025, Clemson made gymnastics headlines by bringing in former Team USA member Elisabeth “Liz” Crandall-Howell and Justin Howell as co-head coaches.

The duo joined Clemson after 13 seasons at Cal, during which the Golden Bears reached 12 NCAA Championships, recorded seven top-ten finishes and earned a national runnerup finish in 2024. They coached dozens of All-Americans and were

“

College was the best decision, and I don’t regret anything ... I’m really happy to be here, and I’m

“

excited to achieve something with this team. named National Coaches of the Year in 2024 and ACC Coaches of the Year in 2025 in their first year in the league, among numerous other conference and national honors.

The pair are well known for their emphasis on including international competitors on their rosters and have also signed prominent Romanian gymnast Ella Oprea for the 2026 freshman class. Their keen eye for technical instruction and nationally renowned reputation are already paying dividends for a program that has experienced rapid success.

Additionally, Liz’s experience as a seven-time competitor for the U.S. National Team, an American champion, and a brevet-level judge offers instant credibility.

Clemson has built a strong gymnastics foundation. Paired with the Howells’

national reputation, robust support system, and elite infrastructure, the program is well-positioned to attract gymnasts competing at the highest levels of the sport.

THE PATH TO CLEMSON College athletics offers a teamcentered approach that is completely different from the largely individual nature of international competition.

At a place like Clemson, which boasts some of the nation’s finest facilities for training, health, and recovery, studentathletes like Malewski can continue to train at the highest levels with elite coaching.

Until recent changes to NIL legislation, many elite gymnasts had to choose between college and their sport.

An increasing number of international gymnasts have instead chosen the collegiate route, making it common to

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see Olympic champions, international stars, and elite hopefuls competing in sold-out arenas and on national television.

During her time on the German National Team, Malewski got to know Pauline Tratz, who competed at UCLA from 2018 until 2021, winning an NCAA title as a freshman and a pair of Pac-12 titles against the Howells’ Cal teams. It was then that the idea of competing in college began to take hold for Malewski.

But the process was a new challenge altogether.

While she had been a high-level student academically, the college application process was foreign.

It was Justin Howell who first reached out in early 2025 while still at Cal. After taking the position at Clemson, he

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and Liz reconnected with Malewski that summer, and things moved quickly.

“I talked to Justin and Liz, I really felt that Clemson could be like my team, because they’re really looking for people who are individuals, but also are good for a team, and it’s always about the team,” Malewski explained. “You’re not just a gymnast — you’re more than a gymnast. You’re a person. And I really like what they want to achieve, and I want to achieve a lot with the team the next four years.”

Once she identified her place with the coaching staff, she committed and signed without having visited campus.

From the infrastructure in place, she quickly learned Clemson offered toplevel academics and athletics.

“There’s nothing like Clemson — the resources the University has,” she said. “The ability to get treatment and recover after practice is really big here.

And the gym? The gym is incredible.”

Malewski made the decision to attend Clemson sight unseen. Her trust in the program infrastructure and the Howells’ leadership is evident.

GOING FORWARD Malewski’s impact in the gym was immediate, and her upside in collegiate gymnastics is significant.

“Her form, artistry, and execution are advanced from her time with the German National Team,” said Justin Howell. “The artistry is something we really look for in the routines, and she came in polished.”

She figures to be a staple in the beam and bars lineups as she rounds back into form, and she will undoubtedly make waves in the sport.

But her goals for her own performance and her team are far simpler now. In the offseason, the program placed its new values on the wall in the practice gym — Respect, Empower, Growth, Purpose, and in the middle: Joy. “College was the best decision, and I don’t regret anything,” Malewski said.

“I’m really happy to be here, and I’m excited to achieve something with this team. It’s so much fun.”

Balance is one of the most critical elements of gymnastics. For Malewski, it has come to mean far more than staying on the beam.

FINDING HOME FAR FROM HOME Chasing dreams across continents—Rusnė Augustinaite’s path to Clemson.

BY: WILLIAM WARREN

F

or Rusne Augustinaite, Clemson was never just a destination. It became a feeling. Family. Fresh.

Home.

Those three words, chosen thoughtfully and deliberately, define not only Augustinaite’s experience at Clemson University, but also the person she continues to grow into on and off

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the basketball court. As she reflects on her journey as an international studentathlete navigating a new country, a demanding schedule, and life far from home, the Clemson forward has come to appreciate every experience that has shaped her along the way.

From the Baltic city of Šiauliai, Lithuania, to the rolling hills of

When I step on the court, I know I’m representing “not just myself, but my country. People are watching back home, and I want to represent them well.

Clemson, her journey has been defined by pride, resilience, and belief, no matter how big the moment.

HER JOURNEY Augustinaite’s basketball story began before she was even born.

Her grandfather, whom she never met, was deeply passionate about the game. When he passed away, that love for basketball lived on through her mother, who chose to continue his legacy by becoming a coach—despite skepticism from those around her.

“My mom was stubborn,” Augustinaite said with a smile. “She knew what she wanted to do.”

Ironically, her mother never coached her.

Instead, Augustinaite found the game on her own. As a young child, she would run onto practice courts, grab basketballs, and shoot whenever she could. Her energy was constant.

Her curiosity, relentless. Eventually, her father installed a hoop in the backyard, and from that moment on, basketball became a daily ritual.

One memory from her early journey stands out above the rest. Her father owned an old VHS tape filled with

Michael Jordan highlights. At six years old, Augustinaite didn’t know who Jordan was or what the NBA represented.

But when her father explained that it was the best basketball league in the world, everything fell into place.

“I asked him if there was a league like that for women,” she said. “And when he said yes, I knew that was my goal. To make it to the WNBA.” From that day forward, her dream was clear.

A LEAP OF FAITH At just 15 years old, Augustinaite left Lithuania to pursue basketball in the United States, a decision filled with excitement, opportunity, and inevitable hardship. She had always dreamed of America. A childhood visit to Chicago sparked her love for the country, and for years, she imagined building a future there.

But when the dream became reality, the weight of sacrifice quickly followed.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t basketball,” she said. “It was homesickness.”

She missed her family. Her culture.

Her language. Her mother’s cooking.

Now in her sixth year living in the

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”

United States, Augustinaite continues to adjust to the sacrifices that come with being far from home. Still, she has never questioned her decision.

“I always had a clear vision,” she said. “I knew where I wanted to be.”

That vision carried her through three demanding years at Montverde Academy in Florida, one of the most disciplined and competitive basketball environments in the country. The structure was strict. Expectations were high. Growth was unavoidable.

“It wasn’t easy,” she said. “But it was worth it.”

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Augustinaite’s recruiting journey spanned continents. Her first college offer came while she was still in Lithuania, from Virginia Tech, where then-assistant coach Shawn Poppie played a pivotal role. As her career progressed at Montverde, offers from Power Four programs across the country followed.

After two seasons at Georgia Tech, Augustinaite entered the transfer portal. As circumstances shifted, one familiar name continued to resurface— Coach Poppie.

“I always liked how he coached,” she said. “How he used his players. How he built his teams.”

When she arrived at Clemson, everything aligned.

“It felt full circle,” Augustinaite said. “He was one of the first people to believe in me—and now he’s my head coach.”

Her first impression of Clemson was immediate. From the coaching staff to the campus itself, everything felt right.

Clemson offered more than basketball; it offered community and growth. For an athlete far from home, that mattered deeply.

Now, Augustinaite proudly wears Clemson orange while keeping Lithuania close to her heart.

“I’m proud of where I come from,” she said. “And I’m proud of where I am now.”

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Now a junior, Augustinaite is steadily growing into a leadership role within the program. She believes in leading by example both on and off the court.

“I’m trying to be a good person off the court, sharing my knowledge, growing personally, and helping my teammates,” she said. “On the court, being an example that’s my goal, especially for this year.”

Her approach to leadership reflects her trust in preparation and moving forward.

INTERNATIONAL ROOTS, RELENTLESS MINDSET Augustinaite’s basketball foundation was built overseas, and those roots continue to influence her game. A 2022 U18 European Champion, she thrives on movement, spacing, and collective play principles that she learned competing internationally.

“We definitely play a different style of basketball in Europe,” she said. “It’s more about movement and creation.

That’s why I really enjoy playing for Coach Poppie—we play similarly to how I grew up playing.”

Improvement is always the goal.

Augustinaite brings a creative, adaptable mindset to the court, one fueled by pride.

“When I step on the court, I know I’m representing not just myself, but my country,” she said. “People are watching back home, and I want to represent them well.”

She doesn’t define her game with a single label. Instead, she defines it by mentality.

“I play what the defense gives me,” she said. “And I have no fear.”

Mistakes, she believes, are inevitable, but dwelling on them is optional.

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“If I make a mistake, I don’t think about it,” Augustinaite said. “Next play mentality. That’s really important in sports. If you sit in mistakes, it’s hard to come back.”

That mindset extends to how she creates opportunities for her teammates, spacing the floor, opening driving lanes, and maximizing each other’s strengths.

“Giving more space for my teammates, especially like Mia (Moore), is something I try to do. If defense helps, she can pass the ball to me. But if they are on me and focused on the action that I’m doing, somewhere on a weak side, she will have an open lane, same for Dee (Demeara Hinds), I try to help her get in the paint and get the ball inside, so she has more time to finish. We create for each other, using our qualities together.”

JOY IN THE DETAILS While highlight plays and stat lines fade, Augustinaite’s favorite moments at Clemson have nothing to do with herself.

“My favorite moments are when my teammates score,” she said. “Especially the ones who don’t get a lot of playing time.” She proudly said, “If I’m on the bench and they score, I’m going crazy.

That’s the best feeling.”

ROUTINE, BALANCE, AND PURPOSE Balancing life as a student-athlete is demanding, but Augustinaite has built

a routine that keeps her grounded. She starts her mornings without her phone, believing it helps protect her focus.

“I plan my day by writing it down,” she said. “Writing helps me.”

Meditation, visualization, reading, and journaling are staples of her routine. Books focused on personal growth and biographies help slow her mind and sharpen her perspective.

Her teammates know one thing for sure about her routine: “I go to sleep at 9:15 p.m. every day,” she said.

LEGACY BEYOND BASKETBALL Independence has always defined Augustinaite’s life. But one loss shaped her perspective in a profound way. Her uncle Thomas, who passed away last January.

“He taught me that nothing is given to you,” she said. “You have to go get it yourself.”

That influence lives on through ENDEN, the clothing brand Augustinaite founded out of intentionality and meaning. What began as a desire for a high-quality, affordable hoodie became something far greater.

“I didn’t want to waste my free time,” she said. “I wanted to do something meaningful.”

Named after her uncle’s license plate, ENDEN represents growth, discipline, and legacy. Each piece reflects her habits and mindset, including the brand’s meditating logo.

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“One of my first pieces said, ‘Fall in love with the basics,’” she explained.

“That’s the message: Loving the everyday things that help you grow.”

In the future, she hopes ENDEN becomes more than clothing and plans to expand her platform to aid mental health support, especially for athletes.

“I want people to feel supported, and not alone,” she said.

LOOKING AHEAD Looking ahead, Augustinaite’s goals prove her ambition; aside from maintaining a strong academic standing, she hopes to help lead a deep tournament run come March.

“I believe in our system,” she said.

Beyond college, she dreams of playing professionally and building a business that inspires others.

“How I’ll achieve it,” she said, “is by being consistent every day. Listening.

Being a sponge.”

At Clemson, she’s found more than success. She’s found belonging.

Family. Fresh. Home.

For Rusne Augustinaite, those words aren’t just a description, they’re a promise she continues to live out, one day at a time.

BOND DISTINGUISHED ATHLETES AWARD Former Tiger Baseball student-athlete, Manning N. “Nick” Lomax, receives the 2025 Bond Distinguished Athletes Award.

BY: ASHBY BURTON & NIK JOHNSON

T

he Bond Distinguished Athletes Award was created in 2013 by Margaret Segars Bond (’84) and her late husband, former Clemson golfer Steve Bond (’80). The couple’s goal was to leave a legacy that would honor student-athlete alumni and recognize them for their success measured outside of athletic competition. The Bonds aimed to give attention to those

who have gone on to do great things in life after athletics.

Each year, the award is celebrated with a customized gold ring, an engraved plaque prominently displayed in the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, and gameday recognition in Memorial Stadium. To qualify for the award, recipients must have lettered in a sport and be more than

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ten years removed from graduation. The individuals selected have demonstrated exceptional character, strong citizenship, and outstanding service, including support for their community, family, and Clemson University.

“I’m so thankful for my late husband Steve’s innovative idea to create the Bond Distinguished Athletes Award,” said Margaret. “It was his way of giving

back to Clemson. What an amazing journey this has been for me to carry on his legacy! It has not only added value to my life, but also to Clemson University and Clemson Athletics.”

This year’s recipient, Manning N. “Nick” Lomax, has been a fixture in the Clemson community since he played left field for Clemson Baseball from 1961-63. Lomax has made a continuing impact in his various roles with the University, helping to shape Clemson into the institution it is known for today.

Nick’s Clemson story began when he enrolled as a freshman student in 1959, attending on scholarship to play for Coach Wilhelm’s team and enrolling in ROTC. He and his high school sweetheart, Sally, came to Clemson together and the two were married before Nick’s senior year in 1962. They have been married for over 63 years, with most of that time spent right here in Clemson.

Nick started working for Clemson after graduation as a member of the grounds crew before serving in the Army for over two years. During his active duty, he wrote to Clemson President Robert C. Edwards expressing interest in working at the school. This letter landed Lomax a job in the housing office as a resident counselor, finding him and Sally living amongst the

students in Johnstone Hall. After a few years in this role, President Edwards, along with many others, was impressed with Lomax’s dedication and service to Clemson, and he was promoted to vice president for student affairs.

The organizational chart of Clemson University looked much different during this period. Then, the director of athletics reported to the vice president for student affairs. Therefore, Lomax oversaw the athletic department during his tenure while also overseeing housing operations, disciplinary matters, and serving as an advisor to many other administrators.

Nick was a major advocate for student safety and made sure all those under his eye were prioritized and cared for during their time on campus. He often walked around campus at night to identify areas that needed more lighting and would strap chains to his tires to drive key personnel to and from campus during the snowy and icy months. It was efforts like this, and more, that formed Nick’s legacy as a selfless leader of this University.

His time with Student Affairs coincided with periods of significant advancement for the school. During his tenure, the African American and female student populations at Clemson both continued to increase. Nick’s leadership, among others, helped keep

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the University steady during this era of transition. “Clemson is all about the people,” said Nick. “We had good people around us to help us do what needed to be done.”

In the following years, Lomax became Vice President for Administration and Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

His roles allowed him to have a direct impact on the school’s growth, including major facilities projects.

He became an important figure in advocating before South Carolina legislators for the importance of investing in these projects, which included the construction of the Walker Golf Course and the Madren Center.

The addition of both facilities proved to play a significant role in the exposure, accessibility, and overall growth of Clemson University.

Throughout his career at Clemson, dating back to his time as a resident counselor, Nick seized every opportunity to contribute to the school in various capacities. From vice president roles, to working in the housing office, the Alumni Association, the Campus Police Department, the old Clemson House Hotel, and Dan’s Sandwich Shop on the corner, Nick knew Clemson was the place he and his family were meant to be.

“You name it. If Clemson had a job out there somewhere, I tried my best to

“

After you look at an award like this and read about

its meaning, it makes me very proud to be included in that group who have already been honored.

”

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go out and get it,” said Nick, reflecting on his time at the University. “It was a wonderful place to spend a life. Our children feel like they had an enchanted childhood here,” mentioned his wife Sally. Nick worked at the University for 31 years before retiring in 1996.

His career of service and dedication to Clemson earned him the Clemson Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

Comparing the University today to 60 years ago, when Nick first began his tenure, the growth and evolution of Clemson is evident to all who have been a part of it as long as the Lomaxes have. Despite all of the change, all that Nick needs to see are smiles for him to know the University remains the special place it always has been.

“As long as the students continue to have a smile on their face, I see that and know they are having a wonderful experience. It makes me happy for them and happy for the University,” he said. “The programs may be different, but the outcome is the same.”

Receiving the 2025 Bond Distinguished Athletes Award came as a complete surprise to Nick, but it means a great deal to him. After his close friends, Tom Chapman received the award in 2016 and Cecil Huey received in 2022, Nick is honored to join them and the accomplished individuals who make up this distinguished group.

“It means a lot to me,” said Nick, speaking of the recognition. “After you look at an award like this and read about its meaning, it makes me very proud to be included in that group who have already been honored.”

“I look at the list of people who have gotten this award, and it makes me very proud of Nick for all he has done to earn it,” said his wife, Sally. Right by his side throughout his entire career at Clemson, Nick credits her with saying that he couldn’t have done anything without her help and support.

“Years have flown by since the inception of this special award,” said Margaret Bond. “Nick Lomax truly represents everything this was set out to honor. Having the opportunity to meet and become friends with such extraordinary people has brought me much joy. I am blessed to add number 13, Nick Lomax, and his wife Sally, to this list of great people.”

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FROM GIVING BACK TO GLOBAL IMPACT Associate Head Coach Lennox Graham’s coaching career is built on service, shaped by family, and defined by the lives he has helped transform.

BY: HENRY CARTER & RYAN SAULINE

A

ssociate Head Coach Lennox Graham’s path to Clemson did not begin with a job offer or a longterm plan to coach at the highest levels of track & field. It began with a sense of responsibility. After finishing school in Jamaica, Graham returned to his alma mater, Kingston College High School, as a volunteer while working fulltime in information technology. What started as an opportunity to give back soon revealed a deeper calling. “The high school I coached at was the same school I attended, Kingston College,” Graham said. “I was an alumnus, so it really started as giving back. A lot of past students do that there.”

By the time he left Kingston in 2007, his athletes were collecting medals across hurdle events, including at the CARIFTA Games, a prestigious

Caribbean competition. One of his runners even won the Penn Relays 400 meter hurdles at the high school level.

“Those achievements over time showed me that there was something here that I could contribute at higher levels. I had a knack for coaching sprints and hurdles,” he said. “Once I started volunteering, I quickly had athletes winning gold medals.”

His first collegiate opportunity came at Johnson C. Smith University, a Division II program in Charlotte, N.C., where Graham was hired as the head coach. The role demanded far more than race strategy and practice plans.

At JCSU, resources were limited, and Graham handled nearly every responsibility himself. “At Division II, there is not much help,” Graham said.

“I coached everything from the 60

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meters to the mile, plus cross country. I also handled all operations, scheduling, travel, compliance, and finances.”

The experience forced him to master every aspect of the sport, from athlete development to administrative duties, and helped shape the coach he would become. “That taught me how all the pieces of NCAA Track & Field fit together, and it was invaluable.”

Graham’s coaching philosophy was already deeply formed by that point, influenced in part by his earlier career in IT. “I live by the motto, ‘Excellence does not tolerate mediocrity,’” Graham said. “Excellence is not about always being first. It is about your input and effort.”

That mindset followed him through every stage of his career, from high school coaching in Jamaica to Division II success and eventually to the global stage. Graham became a World Championships coach in 2011 and later coached at three Olympic Games, a progression he credits to consistency rather than sudden breakthroughs. “It came from being excellent at every level,” he said. “Some of the athletes I coached in high school went on to compete in the World Under 20 level, then became seniors, then professionals. As the athletes grew, I grew with them.”

When first approached about joining Clemson’s staff, Graham declined.

At the time, his daughter was dealing with health issues and was entering her final year of high school. “When my daughter was sick and had one year left in high school, it was a nobrainer,” Graham said. “Family had to come first.” Coaching opportunities would come and go, but those moments with his family could not be replaced.

That choice ultimately shaped how he approaches both leadership and

life. “Without a supportive wife and family, you cannot be excellent at this profession,” Graham said. “Track & field requires long hours and constant travel.”

When the opportunity to join Clemson presented itself again in 2018, the timing was right. Since joining the Tigers, he has produced three athletes who collectively won seven ACC titles, developed athletes who have rewritten parts of the program’s record books and helped deliver Clemson’s first indoor men’s hurdles NCAA Champion in Giano Roberts (60mH, 2023). He has had six athletes combine for 19 AllAmerican selections (13 First Team and six Second Team), reflecting both depth and sustained excellence.

He credits his wife not only for holding the family together during long

seasons, but also for helping him grow as a coach who takes time to recognize success rather than immediately moving on to the next challenge. “[My family] keeps me grounded and remind me not to rush past meaningful moments.”

Looking back on decades in the sport, Graham believes track & field offers lessons that extend far beyond medals and podiums. “Track mirrors life,” he said. “You get out what you put in but sometimes even your best is not enough to win.”

That reality, he believes, gives the sport its unique power. Graham has coached athletes from their early teens into their professional careers, mentoring world champions, Olympians, and college standouts alike.

“Being able to mentor people and add value to their lives, even years after

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they have left college, is priceless,” he said. The moments that mean the most come long after competition ends: a phone call, a message, or a thank you from a former athlete reflecting on a lesson that stuck. “Sometimes they will thank you for something you do not even remember doing,” Graham said.

“That is the real reward.”

From volunteering at Kingston College to shaping champions at Clemson and on the world stage, Coach Graham’s journey has been defined by purpose, faith, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His legacy continues to grow not just in times and titles but in the lives of the athletes he guides, proof that the true impact of coaching reaches far beyond the sport of track & field.

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE Barbi Breimann names the Clemson Rowing Center with a gift that supports the program.

On November 21, 2025, a ceremony was held to officially name the Barbi H. Breimann Clemson Rowing Center. Barbi shared about her past as a former Clemson student-athlete and her positive outlook for the program under Head Coach Adrienne Martelli.

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BUILDING UP GRIT Golf seniors learning to lead and looking to return to the NCAA Championship.

BY: BEN WINTERROWD The 2025-26 Clemson Men’s Golf team is young but features a pair of senior leaders that have been through a lot in their careers at Clemson. Thomas Higgins and Lucas Augustsson nearly led Clemson to an ACC Championship a season ago.

Now they are poised to have a strong spring and return to the NCAA Tournament.

C

lemson entered the second round of stroke play at the 2025 ACC Championship in 12th place, but the Tigers had a tournament best 12-under par team score over the last 36 holes to finish in a tie for third with Florida State. It was a remarkable comeback by Head Coach Jordan Byrd’s squad to make match play. The Tigers were ranked 56th nationally entering the tournament, 12th among ACC teams.

Lucas Augustsson turned in a final round 69 and Thomas Higgins finished stroke play in 21st place.

In quarterfinal play against SMU, Higgins clinched the overall match with a two-up victory over Enrique Dimayuga.

ORANGE: The Experience - 34 -

Higgins went two-up through four holes, then Dimayuga came back to tie the match after eight holes. The golfers were either tied or one hole apart until the last hole when Higgins won to win two-up.

Augustsson was well on his way to victory at the number-five match, leading two-up with two to play. Areen Aggarwal of SMU actually led by oneup through 13 holes, then Augustsson won the fifth, sixth and seventh holes to go two-up. But when Higgins gave Clemson the team victory, the match was suspended.

In an absolute grinder of a match, Augustsson took Virginia’s Bryan Lee to 21 holes before falling 3-2 to the

Cavaliers in the ACC Semifinals in Bowling Green, Ky. Clemson had previously been 0-5 against Virginia in stroke play events during the year, but all five of the matches in the semifinals, Clemson took Virginia to at least the 16th hole.

Three reached the 18th hole and the deciding match went 21 holes.

Higgins had the most noteworthy victory of the day, and perhaps the most noteworthy individual accomplishment of the season by a Clemson golfer. The junior defeated Virginia’s top player Ben James, one-up. He made a ten-foot par putt on the 17th hole to keep a oneup lead, then tied James on the 18th hole to win the match one-up. James was the 13th ranked player in college golf at the time.

Lucas Augustsson and Virginia’s Bryan Lee went into extra holes to decide the overall team match. The two players tied the first and second playoff holes, then Lee won the third extra hole, the 235 par three third hole on the course. Both players hit their drives into green side bunkers. Lee was able to hit his approach to within five feet of the pin and Augustsson hit his shot over the green. He later conceded the hole to Lee and Virginia was off to the championship match.

Augustsson reflected on his moments during the ACC Championship last season and how that has translated in helping lead the team this season, “I learned that the difference between me and the best players in the world

is fractional, and I can beat them any day. We are building something special here at Clemson and we hit the ground running with last year’s team. We are better than our current ranking and that will show in the end of the year.”

“We can compete with any team out there and I can compete with any individual out there,” said Higgins. “It was brilliant experience to compete against guys who went on to play in the National Championship match. It gave us all a bunch of confidence and taught us to not be fearful of these moments but attack them.

Augustsson and Higgins have learned a lot about themselves in the process of leading as upperclassmen. “I think to be transparent and honest goes a long way,” said Augustsson. “With that, always be available to help each other grow and never be scared to ask for help. Coach Byrd always tells us to go to the guy that is best in a specific area whatever that might be. Swing, chip, or putting and try to see what makes him great just there.”

“It’s important to build a team culture and team comradery,” said Higgins. We’ve had a great bond on the road, and it’s shown in our golf. It’s the most fun I’ve had on the road as a team here. We get a lot of enjoyment out of competing together. We collectively feel like we can do some great things and compete for championships.”

Higgins continued, “I’ve gotten advice from lots of different people, including Lucas. He’s a great leader

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 35 -

and leads well. I try to be like him. I’ve had talks with coaches and the Tiger Leadership Program as a freshman and a sophomore helped quite a bit.”

Clemson finished the fall schedule with a record of 43-21-2, including a tournament championship at the Marquette Intercollegiate at Erin Hills.

The Tigers finished third at the Bryan Brothers Collegiate in Columbia, S.C., and placed second at the seasonopening Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Intercollegiate.

Augustsson has two top ten finishes heading into the spring, while Higgins has three and both lead Clemson in that department. They have combined for ten rounds in the 60’s.

Both seniors are not short on what they expect from themselves and the rest of the team this spring. “My expectations are high, but my expectations on our processes are even higher. That will show how far we can go this year. But the spring is long and getting to match play in Carlsbad is possible.”

“We go out there and be a bunch of dogs,” said Higgins. “We talked about that in the fall. We just keep fighting.

We didn’t display that very well in our last event of the fall, so we we’ve washed that now and looking ahead to compete as hard as we can this spring. We know when we play good golf we can win tournaments. We can’t leave any shots on the golf course; we learned that lesson in last year’s ACC Championship.”

WOMEN’S GOLF READY FOR 2026 Tigers have a strong mix of familiar faces, new blood to take the next step.

BY: JEFF KALLIN

G

olf at Clemson has always been a natural fit, and it’s easy to forget that Clemson Women’s Golf is now in just its 13th season, given the heights the program has found early on.

From winning ACC Championships, to advancing to the National Quarterfinals, and sending players to the pros, the program’s foundation has now been well established.

Head Coach Kelley Hester is now in her tenth season as the program’s head coach, and the 2025-26 roster is shaping up to be strong from top to bottom. The Tigers narrowly missed an NCAA Tournament bid in 2025, finishing 39th nationally and posting a 58-69-3 head-to-head record.

During the summer, the team had the chance to travel internationally to play some of the world’s most renowned courses in Scotland (Carnoustie, Dumbarnie, Kingsbarns, Gleneagles, and a match at St. Andrews Fairmont Torrance Course). From a team-building and competitive standpoint, this experience gave the team an early start, and it paid off.

To start the 2025-26 season, Clemson amassed a 50-14-1 mark and two wins in five tournaments in the fall.

The team had a six-stroke victory over an 11-team field in the Tiger Classic, held at The Walker Course on campus, in August, and closed the fall with an 18-stroke victory at the French Broad

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Collegiate Invitational, its largest margin of victory in school history. In that performance at the Cliff at Walnut Cove, all five Tigers finished among the top nine in a 52-player field.

All that is to say, this Tiger team is primed to make a return to the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time in 13 seasons.

THE LINEUP Kelley Hester’s squad will be mix of experienced players and new faces after losing four players to graduation with more than 200 rounds of experience.

Clemson’s five returning players combined to appear in 70 tournaments and 193 rounds, led by senior Isabella Rawl and Sydney Roberts, who have

each appeared in 25 tournaments for the Tigers.

Rawl, a lifelong Clemson fan, committed to the Tigers in ninth grade and found early success. Rawl, from Lexington, S.C., had a breakout freshman season, clinching the ACC Championship in Match Play, and a strong sophomore campaign, finishing second overall at the ACC Championships. She earned a starting spot and was a mainstay on NCAA Tournament teams in each of her first two seasons and had her score count toward the team totals more than 85 percent of the time.

However, she missed much of the 2024-25 season due to an injury suffered in the fall. However, she’s fully recovered and had a strong fall, and is looked upon as a senior team leader.

So, too, will senior Sydney Roberts, who like Rawl played extensively in her first three seasons.

Roberts similarly has been consistently in the lineup over the past three seasons, helping the Tigers to a pair of NCAA appearances and a topten individual finish in Clemson’s 2023 ACC Championship.

Sophomores Aitana Tuesta and Juliette Demeaux saw frequent action

in their freshman campaigns, with six combined rounds under par. Demeaux also picked up medalist honors in the Tiger Classic in the fall. Ivy Schulze also provides depth, appearing in seven tournaments in 2025.

Newcomers for the season are Claire Green (Okatie, S.C.), a top-five player in South Carolina and multiple-time state champion at May River High School, and twice won the South Carolina Junior Players Championship.

Keya Naik (Ashburn, Va.) was a top-50 player nationally and ranked second in Virginia before enrolling at Clemson.

She participated in the 2025 US Amateur at Bandon Dunes and had 12 top-five finishes at the AJGA level.

Clemson also added Annika Kahoutek mid-year. Kahoutek also has extensive international experience for the Czech Republic, and won five amateur titles, including the Swiss Golf International Championship in Sept. 2025.

Sarah Uebelhart (Hünenberg See, Switzerland) was the top-ranked Swiss player and No. 11 in the U18 European Golf Rankings upon signing with the Tigers. Her extensive international experience should help her see the lineup often in 2026, as she saw action in the fall.

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THE SCHEDULE The fall schedule saw the Tigers win two team titles for the first time in program history, and finished in the top five in four of the five fall dates.

They’ll open with three consecutive tournaments in Florida – the Paradise Invitational in Boca Raton, the Spartan Suncoast Invitational in Sarasota, and the Gators Invitational in Gainesville.

After a trip to Briar’s Creek in John’s Island, Clemson will host the Clemson Invitational at the Reserve at Lake Keowee to close the regular season.

The ACC Championships are in Wilmington, N.C. on April 16-19 at Porters Neck Country Club and NCAA’s begin May 11.

THE OUTLOOK Clemson continues to assemble a strong mix of experience and youth, with a mix of local and international players. Head Coach Kelley Hester will have a variety of options in the lineup and the Tigers should be in the mix at both the conference and national levels.

In the following pages, check out photos from the Clemson Men’s and Women’s Golf trip to Scotland.

GOLF TRIP TO SCOTLAND Clemson Men and Women’s Golf teams traveled to Scotland in the summer of 2025. The trip was predominantly funded by donors of the programs.

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IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 39 -

SPIRIT SQUAD SPOTLIGHT Highlighting two students from the Rally Cat and Cheer programs.

BY: ASHBY BURTON & GABE SMITH

NATASHA VAFIADIS RALLY CAT | JUNIOR | ENGLEWOOD, N.J. HAS CLEMSON ALWAYS BEEN PART OF YOUR LIFE? NF: Clemson actually wasn’t part of my life growing up, which I think makes my story really unique. I grew up in New Jersey, just outside New York City, and my family and I didn’t go to college football games. Instead, weekends were spent at Yankees and Knicks games.

College football wasn’t something I was familiar with at all. I didn’t even know about Clemson until my junior year of high school, when a friend mentioned the school because of its dance team.

That led me to attend a Rally Cats clinic, and during that visit, it happened to be Homecoming Weekend in 2019. I got to go to my very first Clemson Football game and my first-ever college football game. I’ll never forget that weekend. I had no idea that the place I was visiting would completely change my life, and that just two years later, Clemson would become my home.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A RALLY CAT? NF: After that first visit to Clemson.

There was something so special about the energy, the culture, and the way the Rally Cats supported the University. As someone who had danced my entire life, I couldn’t imagine a better experience than being able to dance and support a school that already meant so much to me. I visited Clemson again before committing, and by my senior year of high school, I knew without a doubt that Clemson was where I wanted to be and that becoming a Rally Cat was a huge part of that dream.

WALK US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A RALLY CAT: NF: I don’t think many people realize how competitive college dance teams

are until they experience it firsthand.

Like many programs across the country, Rally Cats uses a recruitmentbased process that includes video submissions, multiple rounds of evaluation, and attendance at clinics.

I went through the recruitment process in my senior year of high school and didn’t make it past the second round.

It was discouraging, but I told myself I could try again as a rising sophomore. I focused my freshman year on adjusting to college, finding my place at Clemson, and building friendships. I tried again in the spring, and that year I made it all the way to the final in-person evaluation, which made the rejection even harder. Going into my sophomore year, I was honestly unsure if I could put myself through it again. I was afraid of being rejected for a third time. But after a conversation with a close friend who decided to try out again, something clicked: I realized this was still my dream. I didn’t tell anyone I was trying out that year. I trained almost every day, filming my skills, and pushing myself harder than ever. When I submitted my video, I felt at peace knowing I had given it everything I had. About a month later, I received a call from Coach Eryn Lee offering me a spot on the team. It was a moment I’ll never forget. That journey was long and challenging, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I got to experience Clemson first as a student, and then as a Rally Cat, and that makes my experience so incredibly meaningful.

WHAT IS MOST REWARDING ABOUT BEING A RALLY CAT? NF: Our team. We’re a group of girls who are all so different yet share the same purpose: supporting Clemson Athletics while doing what we love through ORANGE: The Experience - 40 -

dance. Our team culture is something really special. We’re close-knit, positive, disciplined, and genuinely love representing Clemson together.

Having tried out three times, I never take a single moment for granted. Every practice, every game, every time I put on the uniform, it means everything to me. I know how many girls would give anything to be in our position, and that perspective has shaped my gratitude.

The days can feel long, but the years go by so fast. Being able to wear the Paw and represent Clemson is something I’ll cherish forever.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL A YOUNG GIRL WHO ASPIRES TO BE WHERE YOU ARE ONE DAY? NF: I would tell her to never stop believing in her dream and to never think something is impossible. There were so many moments when I didn’t know if I would ever be where I am today, but every obstacle ended up shaping my journey in the best way possible. One of the most meaningful parts of being a Rally Cat is what happens after games, when we gather on the field to sing the alma mater. I’ve had little girls dressed in Rally Cat and cheer uniforms come up to me asking for pictures with me or autographs. It is such a humbling reminder of how much these girls look up to us, and how special this role really is. I’d tell her that your everyday life might be someone else’s biggest dream. Trust in God’s timing, stay patient, and never give up, because everything truly does happen for a reason.

NATASHA VAFIADIS

JAY HARRISON

JAY HARRISON

CHEER | SOPHOMORE | MORRISTOWN, TENN. WHAT SPORTS DID YOU PLAY GROWING UP, AND DO YOU THINK THESE HELPED WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED CHEERING? JH: Growing up, I played just about everything: football, basketball, tennis, golf, baseball, and soccer. All these sports made my transition to cheerleading easier. Every one of these requires some level of strength, handeye coordination, and stamina, all of which are critical aspects of cheer.

While being involved in sports helped, I learned that cheerleading requires not only strength but also a unique set of skills that can’t be replicated in many other sports.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GO TO A SCHOOL LIKE CLEMSON? WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN TRYING TO MAKE THIS DECISION? JH: I have always wanted to attend a larger school. I knew that if I went to a bigger school, the sports atmosphere would also be bigger. My education was important to me, so I chose a school known for both academics and athletics.

WHO GOT YOU INVOLVED IN CHEERLEADING? WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE IT AT THE NEXT LEVEL? JH: Cheerleading was always around me growing up; both of my sisters cheered their entire lives, and our mom was the high school cheer coach back home.

Being around it this much allowed me to understand it from a different perspective. Once I was a senior in high school, I knew I wanted to be involved in big-time college athletics, so my sisters and mom pushed me to try out for the college cheer team.

GROWING UP WITH TWO SISTERS WHO ALSO CHEERED IN COLLEGE, WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM? JH: Having two sisters who also cheered in college showed me how much work goes into being a good cheerleader.

Seeing how hard they worked and how much effort they put into being the best they could made me want to work just as hard as they did. Each of them also took the time to teach a lot of different skills involved with cheerleading.

IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT WAS IT LIKE GOING TO CLEMSON’S CHEER CLINICS? WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING THAT PROCESS? JH: Once I started attending the Clemson Cheer Clinics, I started to get very excited about the entire process.

This was the first time in a long time that I had been so new to a sport, so having the opportunity to learn from guys who were already on the team was really encouraging. These clinics made me realize that I would have to work hard to secure a spot on the team, which pushed me to do my best and be coachable.

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WHAT MADE YOU REALIZE CLEMSON WAS THE PLACE FOR YOU? JH: The first time I walked around campus, I knew immediately that I wanted to go to Clemson. I loved everything about the town, the school, and the people. Once I experienced that, I knew I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY SO FAR AS AN ATHLETE HERE AT CLEMSON? JH: My favorite memory so far as an athlete has been traveling and cheering at this year’s Clemson vs. South Carolina football game. Being able to go to Columbia and come out with a win is something that I’ll never forget.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNGER ATHLETE WHO WANTS TO BE A COLLEGE ATHLETE BUT MAY NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEIR PATH LOOKS LIKE? JH: One piece of advice I would give to a younger student who is unsure about their path would be not to turn anything down until they have tried it. You might think something is not as cool or respected, but it might just turn out to be the best decision you have ever made.

BEYOND THE MUSIC Tiger Band continues to find ways to make an impact.

BY: DYLAN WHITMAN & NIK JOHNSON

E

ach football season, Clemson’s Tiger Band goes above and beyond their call to action of just playing music on Saturday afternoons.

Far above sounding Tiger Rag after touchdowns or forming the tunnel after the players run down the Hill, the Band’s most significant impact arguably comes from their dedication to serving the community. While being actions that most Tiger fans do not see, Dr. Mark Spede and his 350+ member Tiger Band continue to touch, influence, and even save lives of those around them each year.

For Clemson Football’s game against Troy this past season, Tiger Band performed a halftime show entitled “Letters From Tiger Band.” The show featured hit songs “Mr. Postman” (Beatles), “Check Yes, Juliet” (We

The Kings), “Message in a Bottle” (The Police/Sting), “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (Stevie Wonder) and “Walking on Sunshine” (Katrina and the Waves), all contributing to the overall theme of postal letters - but further representing a special Tiger Band tribute to our armed service members and their families.

During the week prior to the game, members of the Band wrote personal handwritten letters to activeduty service members and military veterans, sharing appreciation for their commitment and reminding them that their sacrifice is not unnoticed. Band members and staff met with Clemson’s Corps of Cadets at the Military Heritage Plaza near Bowman Field, a space designed to remember the military traditions at Clemson University. That

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afternoon, students in the band hand wrote over 50 letters of appreciation to be distributed to Clemson military service members and other service members around the world. “We decided to partner with the Clemson Corps of Cadets to ensure the letters reached those who needed them and to allow our very own service members on campus a chance to share their own appreciation,” said Director of Clemson Bands Mark Spede.

This new project is one that Tiger Band hopes to expand upon for years to come.“This project is an excellent opportunity for Tiger Band to give back to our community,” said Dr. Spede.

“We hope to expand this project in the future to include first responders, children in hospitals, and patients in nursing homes.”

Paired with the on-field halftime performance, the idea to write the letters was the important piece that tied everything together. “The idea for the halftime show was first brought to me by former Assistant Director of Bands Emily Hamlyn, and after sorting through 20 or so suggested pieces, we began writing the show. We wanted to incorporate some sort of community service to go with the theme of letters and decided to honor Tiger Band’s military heritage,” said Spede. Within the band’s own traditions are elements of its past as a military band, as the top elected student officers are the commander, vice commander, and sergeant major.

In addition to the Letters From Tiger Band project, Tiger Band will continue to partner with the National Marrow Donor Program - a national bone marrow registry that helps save the lives of individuals with blood cancers or disorders by matching them with compatible donors. In 2013, Clemson became one of the first two college bands to join the registry program and have participated every year since.

Before each football season, Tiger Band hosts representatives from the NMDP at rehearsal to teach more about the program and inform band members on how they can potentially save lives through marrow and stem cell donation.

Over the last decade plus, the partnership has seen extraordinary outcomes. Since 2013, over a dozen band members and alumni have been responsible for saving a life through the NMDP program. Just this year alone, the band had around 100 new members sign up for the registry and two current band members were selected for donation to help save a life. While the donation process often involves significant travel and time away from home, Tiger Band members will never take the opportunity for granted.

With community service as a consistent pillar of their organization, Tiger Band continues to go beyond the music to make an impact on the lives of others. It is groups like the Band, along with many others on campus, that work behind the scenes to make Clemson University the special place that it is.

For all who know Dr. Spede, his band members, and his program, there is no doubt that they will continue to make a difference in the community for many years to come.

The photos featured were taken on September 7, 2025, during the Letters From Tiger Band performance.

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2025 FALL GRADUATION Forty-six student-athletes graduated at fall commencement ceremonies.

BY: JEFF KALLIN

F

orty-six student-athletes and eight students in support roles and spirit squads graduated as part of Clemson’s Fall 2025 commencement ceremony at Littlejohn Coliseum on Dec. 18, 2025. Forty-five individuals earned undergraduate degrees, while eleven have earned master’s degrees, and another earned an advanced certificate.

The students comprise 20 different degree programs and 12 athletic programs. Graduates include 26 members of the football program, who played in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27. Additionally, several All-ACC and All-America selections, as well as

conference and national champions, walked.

In the most recent release, Clemson Athletics set a department record with a 96 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for the 2015-18 cohort in data released by the NCAA, the highest among all public Power Five programs.

It was the 12th consecutive cohort in which Clemson’s department-wide GSR was at 91 percent or higher, and fifth in a row at 95 percent, one of three public Power Five schools nationally to make that claim. Clemson athletes also compiled a 996 Academic Progress Rate, its second-highest mark on record.

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SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A FULL LIST OF DEGREE RECIPIENTS!

CLEMSON STUDENTATHLETES RECORD 3.33 GPA From the classroom in the fall 2025 semester.

BY: JEFF KALLIN

C

lemson University Studentathletes recorded a 3.33 GPA for the Fall 2025 semester, which marked the 15th straight semester above a 3.0 GPA, dating back to the Fall of 2018. Every Clemson team recorded a 3.0 or higher for each of the past five semesters.

Four sports set program semester GPA records, as Women’s Soccer earned a 3.80 GPA and Gymnastics logged a 3.70 GPA in its seventh semester.

Women’s Golf (3.82 GPA) and Women’s Track (3.52 GPA) both collected their highest semester GPAs on record as well. The previous high GPA for any team was a 3.69 by Women’s Soccer in the Spring 2024 semester, and three teams exceeded that mark in Fall 2025.

The Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center has established Clemson as one of the national leaders in academic success, which saw Clemson post a record 96 percent Graduation Success Rate in the most recent cohort, Clemson’s department rate of 96 percent is second in the nation among public Power Five institutions and is seventh in the nation among all Power Five programs. Clemson also had a department mark of 996 out of 1000 in the most recent Academic Progress Rate data.

OVERALL ACADEMIC NOTES · Clemson’s 489 undergraduate student-athletes earned a 3.31 GPA, and 46 graduate students earned a 3.66 GPA (535 total student-athletes, 3.33 GPA). · A total of 416 student-athletes earned a 3.0 or better (77.8% of all student-athletes), and 101 individuals earned a 4.0. · Twelve programs recorded a 3.30 or better, and nine were above a 3.40.

TEAM ACADEMIC NOTES · Women’s Soccer (Program record 3.80 GPA) upped its streak to 51

straight semesters (dating to the Fall of 2000) at 3.0 or better, while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. · Gymnastics (Program record 3.7 GPA) has recorded a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all of its seven semesters. · The Football program has recorded eight consecutive semesters above a 3.0 GPA. · The Men’s Basketball program has been at 3.0 or better for six consecutive semesters. · The Women’s Basketball program has been at 3.0 or better for seven straight semesters. · Rowing has been above a 3.0 in 32 straight semesters and recorded its

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 45 -

54th 3.0 or better in 55 total semesters since joining in the Fall of 1998. · Women’s Golf (3.82) has been at 3.0 or better in all 25 semesters since joining in Fall 2013. · Volleyball posted a 3.28 GPA in Fall 2025 and extended its streak to 14 straight semesters at 3.0 or higher. · Men’s Soccer (3.43 GPA) recorded its 23rd straight semester above a 3.0 GPA. · Softball (3.43 GPA) logged its 13 consecutive semesters above a 3.0 GPA since the program’s inception. · Women’s Tennis (3.55 GPA) logged its 21st straight semester above a 3.0 GPA.

BROWN FAMILY PAVILION TOPS OUT An update on Clemson’s latest construction project.

BY: ASHBY BURTON

O

n Tuesday, December 16, a topping-out celebration was hosted for the Brown Family Pavilion. The Littlejohn Coliseum expansion project, which will benefit both the men’s and women’s basketball programs, was celebrated as the final beam was placed in the structure.

The project includes renovations of more than 51,000 square feet of existing team spaces and 30,000 square feet of new construction at a cost of $40 million. Facility improvements include

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further development of operations and technology in the women’s basketball team spaces, practice gym, offices, and recruiting areas. Additionally, the improvements include modernization and expansion to shared strength & conditioning, nutrition, and sports medicine spaces. Some of the newly constructed spaces include men’s basketball team areas, offices, and a practice gym.

Once the project is completed, each program will have its own designated

practice gym, updated offices and team areas, and improved performance spaces. Externally, modified site circulation on the exterior, along with a new expanded patio and plaza opportunity at the corner of the facility, are included for the teams.

“Strong basketball programs are key to an elite intercollegiate athletic department, which greatly impacts the student experience,” said Graham Neff.

“We are thankful to the Brown Family for their generous support, which will allow us to continue the progress of bringing our basketball facilities among the top in the country.”

On December 16, before men’s basketball’s 68-61 victory over South

Carolina, friends and family of Jim and Candace Brown, along with Clemson Athletics staff and construction crews, gathered to sign the final beam and commemorate the moment.

In attendance was Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Brownell. “What a great day for Clemson Basketball,” said Coach Brownell. “In 2013, when we first took steps to renovate Littlejohn Coliseum, Joe and Bobbi Swann aided in the advancement of both programs with the construction of the Swann Pavilion.

This new project, spearheaded by Jim and Candace Brown, will continue to give us some of the best facilities in the ACC and the country, while enabling us to consistently provide our student-

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athletes with a first-class experience.

I want to thank the Browns for their considerable generosity and strong support of our program.”

Construction of the Brown Family Pavilion is expected to be completed in August 2026. All phases of completion, including renovation of existing spaces, is on track to be completed in late fall of 2026.

As the project continues, follow along at ClemsonTigers.com for construction updates!

Avenue of Champions - Exterior Plaza

Avenue of Champions - Exterior Plaza & Women’s Facilities

Exterior Concourse - Corner of Avenue of Champions & Centennial Blvd.

Men’s Basketball Practice Gym

Strength & Conditioning

Men’s Basketball Practice Gym

Training and Recovery

Men’s Basketball Locker Room ORANGE: The Experience - 48 -

Men’s Basketball Meeting Room

Men’s Basketball Lounge

Men’s Basketball Conference Room

Women’s Basketball Conference Room

Bistro

Women’s Basketball Meeting Room

Women’s Basketball Locker Room

Women’s Basketball Lounge IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 49 -

DONOR OF THE GAME IPTAY celebrates seven families during the 2025 football season.

I

PTAY is grateful for its more than 22,000 donors who support the success of the Clemson Tigers! Of that tremendous support, IPTAY was pleased to recognize and celebrate seven families shown here throughout the 2025 home football season for

their commitment to Clemson studentathletes. The incredible generosity of these families and the greater IPTAY Family provides critical funding for student-athlete scholarships, new and updated facilities, nutrition services, counseling, sport performance, life

skills, and more. At IPTAY, we extend a heartfelt thank you to these families and their participation in this year’s donor of the game initiative. To learn more about IPTAY and how to become involved, visit ClemsonTigers.com/IPTAY today!

8.30.25 GAME 1 : LSU

The Moraski Family Naples, Florida

9.6.25

GAME 2 : TROY Elizabeth and T.C. Lynch Seneca, South Carolina

9.20.25

GAME 3: SYRACUSE The Gosnell Family Hendersonville, North Carolina ORANGE: The Experience - 50 -

10.18.25 GAME 4: SMU

The Sanders Family Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

11.1.25

GAME 5: DUKE The Schlicksup Family Six Mile, South Carolina

11.8.25

GAME 6: FLORIDA STATE The Thomas Family Beaufort, South Carolina

11.22.25

GAME 7: FURMAN The Gilstrap Family Charlotte, North Carolina IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 51 -

NINTH ANNUAL PUNT, PASS, & KICK COMPETITION The IPTAY Collegiate Club hosts an annual favorite for its membership.

BY: ASHBY BURTON

S

ince 2016, IPTAY Collegiate Club members have had the opportunity to showcase their punt, pass, and kick skills in this annual competition run by the IPTAY Student Advisory Board (ISAB). Each year, the event has grown in new ways. Once started on the lower intramural fields, the competition now takes place in the Poe Indoor Facility. Take out 2020, due to the global pandemic, each year has seen increased participation from Collegiate Club members.

Fully planned and operated by students on the IPTAY Student Advisory Board, operations began when the group arrives on campus for the event on November 19.

Co-Chair of the ISAB Events Committee, junior Lindsay Johnson,

spoke about her experience with the event. “Punt Pass Kick (PPK) has been an incredible event to watch grow over the past few years, continuously fostering a fun and competitive environment for students to participate, win prizes, and make memories in the Poe Indoor Practice Facility.”

As co-chair, Lindsay got to see all facets of the event coming together.

“The Events Committee met each Wednesday night for several months to discuss potential prizes, how we could promote this opportunity by tabling throughout campus, and the most efficient setup for the event,” said Lindsay. “From tabling across campus to handing out flyers on Library Bridge, inviting students to win epic prizes, enjoy great food, and spend time in

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the indoor football facility was both fun and encouraging, especially seeing how many students’ faces lit up at the opportunity.”

The behind-the-scenes look at the event as it came together was what was most rewarding for her. “PPK truly fosters friendly competition and allows students to take full advantage of the exclusive opportunities offered through IPTAY Collegiate Club membership,” she added. “I am also incredibly thankful for ISAB, with members bringing nonstop energy while measuring punt distances, tracking pass accuracy, or going absolutely crazy when someone nailed a field goal.

Their enthusiasm was contagious, and participants clearly fed off it throughout the night.”

For nine of ISAB’s 25 members, this was their first time helping put on an IPTAY Collegiate Club event.

Sophomore Garrison Dull was one of the new members who quickly jumped in on planning this marquee event. “PPK was honestly one of the highlights of my year so far, especially being my first year on ISAB,” said Garrison.

“Getting to see everything behind the scenes made the event so much more meaningful. From planning at several meetings and adjusting rules to picking out prizes and handing out flyers, it was cool to realize how much work goes into PPK.” One of the biggest tasks ISAB faces each year is event promotion across campus to ensure that Collegiate Club members are aware of this membership benefit. “One of my favorite parts was

flyer distribution across campus,” he included. “I was genuinely excited to talk to students on campus because this was kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime football experience, and a chance to make real college memories inside Clemson’s Football facility. Seeing the same students I handed flyers to earlier show up smiling, competing, and having fun made it all worth it. Whether it was someone kicking a football for the first time, a former soccer or baseball player, or even a past punter, everyone brought energy.”

What ISAB aimed to accomplish was to make this an event for everyone.

“PPK was more than just an event; it was a true Clemson experience, and I’m grateful I got to be a part of it,” said Garrison. “Being a part of running the event the night of made it even better.

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 53 -

Seeing everything come together, knowing our ISAB team worked hard to make it happen, was incredibly rewarding and fun.”

Up next for ISAB is a busy semester ahead. Planning for the annual Collegiate Club Classic, a basketball skills challenge held in Littlejohn Coliseum, is underway. In addition to this event, the new ISAB member application process has begun for new board members to join in the fall 2026 semester, and plans are in the works for additional IPTAY Collegiate Club member events.

Follow @IPTAYCC on Instagram for updates and to keep up with all of the excitement surrounding the IPTAY Collegiate Club and its more than 10,000 student donors!

F

ellow Tigers, As you have read from IPTAY Board President Rett Rutland, I plan to retire at the conclusion of the fiscal year on June 30, 2026. Reflecting on the past 13 years with IPTAY, I am filled with gratitude. The success we have experienced belongs to you, our supporters. As I have said time and again, Clemson is special because of its people, and your unwavering commitment makes everything we do possible. Thank you.

While this announcement begins a transition, there is still important work ahead. Support for Clemson’s studentathletes has never been more critical, and I remain fully committed to leading IPTAY through this next chapter as planned with Rett and other members of the IPTAY Board when this plan was put into motion some years ago.

Since I last wrote, the Clemson Family has lost three impactful individuals.

In November, we lost longtime IPTAY Board of Directors member Thurmon McLamb. Thurmon served IPTAY for many decades and will be greatly missed among that group of leadership.

Also lost was what many considered the “first couple” of Clemson for many years, George and Nancy Bennett.

George was the epitome of a Clemson

gentleman and did so much for Clemson that cannot be put into words.

They both spent many years dedicating their time to Clemson, and they will be sorely missed in this community.

I hope you had the opportunity to read about another outstanding semester in the classroom. This fall, Clemson student-athletes posted a 3.33 cumulative GPA, marking 15 consecutive semesters above a 3.0. This achievement reflects the dedication of our student-athletes and the exceptional work of Matt Lombardi and his team in the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center.

Additionally, 46 student-athletes graduated at fall commencement across 20 degree programs, further reinforcing that education remains at the heart of IPTAY’s mission.

The IPTAY Annual Fund continues to be one of the most impactful ways to support our student-athletes. I hope you were able to meet the February 15 deadline for your 50% pledge payment.

For those who did, the online football ticket and parking application will open March 15. If you missed the deadline and wish to request or renew football season tickets for 2026, I encourage you to contact our team as soon as possible.

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Looking ahead, support beyond institutional funding through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is increasingly vital to competitive success. IPTAY is working in close partnership with Clemson Ventures to position third-party NIL as a true advantage for Clemson Athletics.

Business owners and supporters interested in learning more can visit ClemsonTigers.com and select “NIL” from the top navigation.

With winter sports in full swing and spring sports underway, there is much to be excited about. I encourage you to join us on campus in the weeks ahead and continue showing your support for our student-athletes.

I look forward to sharing more with you in the months to come. And as always, thank you for your continued support of IPTAY.

DAVIS BABB IPTAY CEO

IN SOUTH CAROLINA

BY FORBES MAGAZINE

2023, 2024 & 2025

PROUD TO BE UNITED

WITH THE TIGERS

TM

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 55 -

CLEMSON ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 2026 Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open

T

he nominating committee of the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame is now accepting recommendations for Hall of Fame consideration. The Block C Club Board of Directors serves as the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and will meet in late March to consider all those who have been recommended.

Nominations for the 2026 class will be accepted through Friday, March 6, 2026 Any former Clemson student-athlete, living or deceased, who received an athletic letter from the Clemson University Athletic Department and who excelled athletically is eligible for Hall of Fame consideration ten years after their athletic eligibility has been exhausted. In addition, former coaches, managers, trainers, etc., who made significant contributions to Clemson athletics are also eligible for

consideration. Active Clemson coaches are not eligible for consideration and must be retired from that position for a minimum of one year.

Any person may recommend any eligible individual for consideration as a nominee. Nominations should be accompanied by information regarding the achievements of the individual and at least two letters of recommendations.

Once placed on the list of candidates, a person remains on the list for four years unless they are renominated.

Names of those individuals who are nominated are forwarded to the Hall of Fame Approval Committee and, once approved by the Committee, will be made public. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on the Clemson campus on a Friday evening prior to a home football game, where the 2026 inductees will be introduced to the Memorial Stadium crowd.

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SCAN THE QR CODE TO NOMINATE FOR THE 2026 CLASS!

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 57 -

GEORGE & NANCY TOGETHER AGAIN George and Nancy Bennett shared a life of love, loyalty, and a lasting impact that shaped Clemson Athletics.

BY: TIM BOURRET

G

eorge and Nancy Bennett were the first couple of Clemson Athletics for decades. They reached that status through George’s direction as Executive Director of IPTAY and Nancy’s involvement as the perfect spouse for that job. We will never know how many times George asked for Nancy’s advice or support for one of George’s ideas that would benefit IPTAY and the Clemson Athletic Department, although I’m sure it’s more than I can count.

They were quite a team from the day they were married 65 years ago to their final days together. George passed away after a heroic battle with a heart condition on December 13, 2025, at the age of 92. He went into hospice care this past July, and I wrote an obituary for the Clemson website at the end of that month. Perhaps he can make it to the LSU season opener, I thought. Incredibly, he lived through the entire regular season.

Six days after his death, on the day of George’s funeral, the Bennetts’

children, Bonnie and Jeff, went to the Bennetts’ home at Clemson Downs to get Nancy ready for George’s funeral.

Nancy had passed away peacefully overnight in her sleep.

Friends of the family were shocked when they heard the news on a day they were prepared for George’s funeral. At the same time, it was a heavenly result for an inseparable couple. Nancy had been by George’s side for the near six months he was in hospice care.

The love and respect for this couple extended over many years across multiple schools.

When the Vanderbilt fund-raiser, George Bennett, needed some help transporting family members from Nashville, Tenn., to Houston, Texas, for his son Jeff’s wedding in 1985. George made a phone call.

He called one of his friends in the country music industry, Kenny Rogers.

The three-time Grammy Country Music Award Winner, who was later inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame,

ORANGE: The Experience - 58 -

came to the rescue. Not only did he let Bennett borrow his concert tour bus, but he also instructed his two drivers to take the Bennett family on the trip.

Noted sports television broadcaster Paul Kennedy, who was doing Vanderbilt Football and Basketball games at the time, made the trip on that bus. “I slept on the floor,” said Kennedy. “That’s how beloved George Bennett was in the country music industry when he worked at Vanderbilt.”

George Bennett was beloved at every turn in his career in athletics.

That certainly was the case in his over 70 years as perhaps the greatest ambassador of Clemson Athletics and Clemson University in history.

Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney documented the impact Bennett had on Clemson during a meeting with the media in August after Swinney visited Bennett while he was in hospice care in Seneca.

“I have been around George Bennett a long time,” said Swinney. “He is a

true Clemson man. People that have been around Clemson for a long time know the impact he has had. There are so many things that he has directly impacted, from traditions, branding, you name it.”

Bennett’s impact on Clemson Athletics and the University dates to his days as a cheerleader in the 1950s.

Bennett persuaded his father to buy a small cannon that would be fired after the Tigers scored a touchdown. His father had seen it done at an Army football game. After his father told George of the Army tradition, George said to his dad, “That is a great idea, why don’t you buy us a cannon?”

That tradition celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024, and Bennett was on the field when the cannon was fired as the team ran down the hill.

After graduating in 1955, Bennett served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, KY. In 1957, he started a nineyear career with the ESSO corporation.

He returned to Clemson in 1967 as the first Clemson Alumni Association Field Representative.

Four years later, Bennett moved to the athletic department as an assistant athletic director. In that capacity, he became involved in fund-raising. In 1977, he became Executive Director of IPTAY. Over the next two years, IPTAY exceeded the $2.3 million

mark in fundraising for student-athlete scholarships for the first time, and IPTAY members grew from 9,800 to over 15,000.

During his first year as Executive Director of IPTAY, he developed the idea to have Clemson fans use $2 bills when they traveled to the 1977 Georgia Tech game in Atlanta. Georgia Tech wanted to end the series with Clemson to play a lesser opponent. Using $2 bills was a way to demonstrate the economic impact Atlanta would miss if Georgia Tech did not play Clemson.

“I went to Charlie Pell [Clemson’s Head Football Coach at the time] and said, ‘Here is what we need to do if it is okay with you. We are going to take $2 bills down to there, and we are going to show the people in Atlanta how much money they are missing by not playing us.’ We publicized, wrote letters about it, put it in the IPTAY Report, and told them to take $2 bills with them,” Bennett said.

Clemson fans responded and continue to carry on the tradition today for road games, especially bowl games.

In 1979, Bennett was named Associate Athletic Director for Financial Development at Vanderbilt University.

Just five years later, he was named the National Fundraiser of the Year.

In 1986, Bennett returned to South Carolina as the athletic director at

IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 59 -

Furman. Two years later, Furman won the Division I-AA Football National Championship. This is still the only football national championship in school history.

Bennett returned to Nashville, Tenn., in 1989 as the Vice President for Development at Baptist Hospital.

He remained in that position until 1993, when he returned to Clemson as Executive Director of IPTAY. He remained in that position until he retired from a full-time position in June of 2004. Bennett was at the forefront in promoting Clemson until the day he died.

Bennett won many awards over his career. He was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 and received the Clemson Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 1999. In 2001, Bennett received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

On Feb. 7, 2026, the Bennett family celebrated the lives of both George and Nancy Bennett. The celebration took place in Clemson at the same funeral service. The dedication, love, and passion that George and Nancy had for Clemson will not be forgotten.

Their impact on this University will be remembered for many more years to come.

IPTAY MEMORIALS In loving memory of kind, generous, and dedicated IPTAY members.

Name: Jack E. Shaw

Passed: February 19, 2025

Years of Membership: 52

Name: George R. Fleming

Passed: June 14, 2025

Years of Membership: 74

Name: L.M. Page

Passed: July 26, 2025

Years of Membership: 48

Name: Edward Key

Passed: September 5, 2025

Years of Membership: 48

Name: Samuel J. Grant, Jr.

Passed: September 7, 2025

Years of Membership: 65

Name: Joseph T. Bailey

Passed: September 15, 2025

Years of Membership: 26

Name: Ronald G. Nonnenberg

Passed: September 27, 2025

Years of Membership: 43

Name: Ester R. McCaskill

Passed: September 28, 2025

Years of Membership: 52

Name: June Ponder

Passed: October 3, 2025

Years of Membership: 20

Name: Laura C. Greene

Passed: October 17, 2025

Years of Membership: 67

Name: E. John Pysar

Passed: October 30, 2025

Years of Membership: 38

Name: Thurmon W. McLamb

Passed: November 14, 2025

Years of Membership: 59

Name: George Bennett

Passed: December 13, 2025

Years of Membership: 73

Name: Nancy Bennett

Passed: December 19, 2025

Years of Membership: 73

ORANGE: The Experience - 60 -

Quietly Extraordinary

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A Private Sanctuary of Lakefront Luxury Featuring World-Class Golf, Marina, Racquet Sports, Outdoor Pursuits & Wellness

Sunset, SC, 30 Minutes from Clemson | reserveatlakekeowee.com IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 61 -

DONOR PHOTOS Email Photo, Caption, & IPTAY Number to: Kelsey Tibbs | KTibbs@ Clemson.edu

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1

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1. Harold Olson, Trey Olson, and Natalie Olson Rosenberg represented Clemson in front of a wall of ice at 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass in Yellowstone National Park.

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2. Fred Hunnicutt (‘75), and wife Gail, and Steve Epps (‘72), and wife Malinda, display the Tiger Rag at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada.

3. George T Leslie (‘77), attempting to retrace his father’s footsteps, Major E. E. Leslie ‘31, from World War II. George stopped by the Normandy American Cemetery to pay respects to fellow Clemson native and alumnus Capt. David H. Henry (‘36).

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4. Steve Patnode (‘92), Katherine Goff Lockwood (‘92), Angie Smith Patnode (‘92), Whitney Ritter Reichard (‘92) and Scott Reichard (‘88) enjoyed a stop in Vienna, Austria on their Danube River Cruise.

The Romanesque Church of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is towering in the background.

5. Wayne and Liz (‘85) White show off the Tiger Rag at World Famous Abbey Road in England, made famous by the Beatles’ album cover.

6. Dr. Dudley Beaty (‘84) and his wife, Sharon, on Meade Glacier in Alaska!

7. Jacob Way, Aidan McClay, TJ Bruschi, Maggie McGlone, Annie Valerius, Maddie Mearns, and Drew Smith (All Class of ‘23) summiting Mt. Bierstadt in Colorado.

8. McTyeire and Liston Neal celebrate with Clemson Gymnast Eve Jackson after a Tiger win!

9. Clemson students Alex Tilyou, Tyler Lutkowski, Chase Tompkins, Spencer Caporicci in Yankee Stadium.

10. Eric Selquist (‘27) and Judd Carmel (‘26) celebrate Solid Orange Friday in Interlaken, Switzerland.

11. GB Stalnaker (‘28) prepares for a Solid Orange fall dive.

12. Left to Right: Dr. Ted Swann, Zach Freeman, Mitchell Risinger, Michael Cothran show their Clemson GRIT in Littlejohn Coliseum.

13. Seniors Davan McHale and Erin Burke cheer on the Tigers in snowy New York.

14. Carter Parise (‘26) and Harrison Withers (‘26) take on the Bronx for the Pinstripe Bow!

To access this issue of ORANGE: The Experience digitally, visit ClemsonPlus. com. Log in or activate your free account today!

14 IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 63 -

ELDEN CAMPBELL

LAST WORD

I

was shocked and saddened on the morning of December 2, 2025.

I received a call from Wayne Buckingham with the news that Elden Campbell, Clemson’s all-time leading scorer, an All-American, and three-time All-ACC player, had died.

Campbell was in Florida for a fishing vacation and had a medical emergency while he was on the water. When I heard of the circumstances, I recalled a time during the summer when I was golfing at Cross Creek Plantation in Seneca.

There is a lake on the 17th hole, and as I came upon the green, there was Campbell, fishing. Fishing was his favorite hobby.

Campbell came to Clemson from Inglewood, Calif., in the middle of an era when the program boasted one of the top traditions for centers in college basketball. This era began with Tree Rollins, who was a freshman in 197374, followed by Larry Nance (197781). Coach Bill Foster recruited Horace Grant to Clemson for the 1983-84 season. By Grant’s senior year, under the guidance of Cliff Ellis, Grant was the ACC Player of the Year. Campbell was Grant’s backup center in 1986-87, and the Tigers finished the season with a record of 25-6.

Campbell continued the tradition from 1986 to 1990, and he teamed with Dale Davis (1987-91) to lead the Tigers to the ACC Regular Season Championship in 1989-90. Their success helped recruit Sharone Wright to Clemson, the number six pick of the 1994 NBA draft.

I have covered Clemson Basketball as the Sports Information Director and radio analyst for 48 years. That 1989-90 season is among the most memorable that I have experienced.

The 1989-90 season is the only year Clemson won the ACC Regular Season Championship. This is especially noteworthy when considering how strong the league was at that time.

Clemson won the ACC in a season when two other ACC teams, Duke and Georgia Tech, reached the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina beat number-one-ranked Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament to make the Sweet 16. Clemson also reached the Sweet 16 after wins over BYU and La Salle, and

was one possession stop away from the Elite 8.

Campbell and Davis both made firstteam All-ACC that year. This is the only time Clemson has ever had two first-team selections. Both Campbell and Davis made honorable mention AllAmerica teams, the only time that has happened in Clemson history.

Campbell would be the first to tell you the accomplishments of the 198990 season were a team effort, but he was, without a doubt, the team leader as its leading scorer. Nicknamed “Easy E” throughout his career, Campbell was a smooth operator in every phase of the game, whether it was with a soft jumper or his ability to block shots and keep the ball in play.

Campbell was a respected player throughout the ACC, and his accomplishments were held in high regard by Clemson alumni, especially former players. Late in his senior year, he was just a few points away from breaking Butch Zatezalo’s Clemson career scoring record.

Campbell broke the record on Feb. 24, 1990, with a first-half free throw against North Carolina. Zatezalo made the trip from his home in Pennsylvania to attend the game. After Campbell made the free throw, the game was stopped, and Zatezalo came on the court to congratulate Campbell in front of a sellout crowd. This was a moment I will never forget, as it conveyed the respect both Campbell and Zatezalo had for each other.

Campbell finished his Clemson career with 1,880 points, a record that still stands 36 years after he played his last game. He is still first in career

ORANGE: The Experience - 64 -

BY: TIM BOURRET

made field goals (754), tied for first in career double-figure scoring games (97), second in blocked shots (334), third in 20-point scoring games (34), and eighth in career rebounds (836).

He was the first-round draft choice, the 27th overall selection, of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1990 NBA Draft.

Campbell played for the Lakers for nine years and is still third in Lakers history in blocked shots. He is trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal. Campbell also played four years for the Charlotte Hornets and is still in the top ten in franchise history in career double-doubles.

Campbell concluded his career with the Detroit Pistons. He was a member of the 2003-04 NBA Championship team.

When Campbell passed, we saw a greater level of respect for him and his impact on the game. Magic Johnson had posted a heartfelt message on his social media. James Worthy visited the Lakers’ facility and had a picture made with a photo of Campbell included in the background. The Lakers, Pistons, and Hornets all had moments of silence before home games in his honor.

On January 17, 2026, Campbell’s former Clemson Basketball teammates gathered for a Memorial Service in Clemson to give their remembrance and reflections on a true Clemson Tiger.

Coach Cliff Ellis said it best.

“Most of all, Elden Campbell was an outstanding, giving person. This is a sad day for the Clemson Family. Elden loved Clemson. He came back and supported the program after he retired.

He exemplified what Clemson was all about.”

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IPTAY | 2025-26 | Issue 2 - 65 -

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