Celebrating more than seven decades of the Tiger Mascot.
20 TRAVELING A NEW ROAD
An idea hatched on an interstate has rebranded and revitalized Clemson senior Adam Randall.
24 IT’S A FAMILY THING
Collegiate soccer history comes to a head with the arrival of women’s soccer freshman Reese Klein.
28 THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Phil Jones’ coaching and recruitment philosophies have been integral to the success of the Clemson Men’s Soccer team.
34 A NEW ERA FOR BEYOND THE PAW
Mia McGrath and Eve Jackson begin a new era for the future of their podcast.
Ashby Burton
Kelsey Tibbs
Ben Winterrowd
CO-EDITORS ART DIRECTOR CONTRIBUTORS
Avy Akin
Molly Arnold
Trent Alley
Davis Babb
Tim Bourret
Ashby Burton
Kelsey Tibbs
Aaron Clune
Claire Crocker
Linda Davis
Brian Hennessy
Nik Johnson
Jeff Kallin
Reed Kramer
Dana Morgan
Rett Rutland
Ryan Sauline
Gabe Smith
Ross Taylor
Sam Walters
Caroline James Warner
Ben Winterrowd
36 RUNNING FOR A PURPOSE Victor Ndiwa races to win, and more importantly, provide for his family back home.
40 EMPOWERED BY POWER Clemson Gymnast Molly Arnold shares her experiences being a part of the 2024-2025 POWER Cohort.
44 DALE GILBERT: HONORARY ALUM
The longtime voice of Memorial Stadium and Littlejohn Coliseum is awarded Honorary Alum.
48 HONORARY ALUM: COACH NOONAN
Clemson Alumni Association recognizes Head Coach Mike Noonan as Honorary Alumnus.
52 THE BRIDGE TO WHAT’S NEXT
The impact of Clemson’s UPIC Internship Program on student-athletes.
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.
Fall in Clemson is such a special place. The buzz around campus, the return of athletics, and the beauty around the University. It’s one of my favorite times of the year, and I have enjoyed seeing you all pack our athletic venues with the start of our fall programs.
Since I last wrote, IPTAY wrapped up what I consider to be the best year on record. Because of your generosity, IPTAY raised $88.09M in support of Clemson student-athletes. This includes $45.3M to our Annual Fund (the highest IPTAY Annual Fund total on record), the most donors to the Annual Fund (22,268), and an additional 9,789 student donors to the IPTAY Collegiate Club (the most student members in IPTAY’s history). Many individuals also stepped up to make gifts to NIL. Once again, IPTAY members answered the call.
On behalf of our staff, Board of Directors, and entire athletic department, I reiterate our thanks for what you do. Nowhere else in the country can you find this level of passion that we see at Clemson, and
what we do is not possible without each of you. I encourage you to view more of the IPTAY 2025 Year in Review in the following pages.
This summer also brought important leadership updates. Billy Milam completed his two-year presidential term, and I thank Billy for his selfless leadership over the past two years. I am excited to work alongside Rett Rutland as he begins his two-year presidential term and assisting his contributions to our organization.
Also, on the Board of Directors, we welcomed two new at-large members. David Boykin will represent the IPTAY membership in Georgia and Jay Sutton will represent the membership of North Carolina. Both individuals bring incredible experience and insights, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with them.
At IPTAY, we have welcomed two new staff members, Tyler Nelson and Cooper Gaskins. Tyler joins our Development and Member Services team that assists in your membership and benefit decisions. Cooper joins our Premium Events and Hospitality team
that services each of our premium areas. I hope that you can meet both individuals in your interactions with our office.
As I close, I want to emphasize this: college athletics has rapidly changed in the past year. IPTAY is committed to ensuring Clemson student-athletes have a first-class experience, on the field, in the classroom, and in life. That commitment requires your ongoing support. We need you on the IPTAY team now more than ever as we support each of our student-athletes and programs, and we ask you to encourage others to join: friends, family, neighbors, students (IPTAY Collegiate Club), and young Tigers (Tiger Cub Club.) Every gift makes a difference.
Again, thank you for your commitment, both financially and for helping IPTAY grow and expand its reach. You being on the team is incredibly important to what we do, and we greatly appreciate your generosity and dedication to Clemson Athletics.
DAVIS BABB IPTAY CEO
22,268
Returning Donors vs. New Donors
2025 Donors By Youth Program
13 Year Annual Giving Trend
IPTAY Major Gifts
$27.8M
DOLLARS OF MAJOR GIFTS
Clemson depends on the generosity and foresight of donors to build and maintain collegiate athletic excellence. Gifts that build an endowment and support major facilities and large-scale initiatives leave a lasting legacy and are vital to the future and the quality of athletics at Clemson. Major gifts may be in the form of cash, real estate, securities, gifts-in-kind and a number of other options.
Cornerstone Partner Program
IPTAY Planned Giving
$5.6M
DOLLARS OF PLANNED GIFTS
IPTAY Legacy: IPTAY Legacy is the guarantee that the priorities of IPTAY continue for years to come. These visionary gifts ensure that opportunities exist for future generations of studentathletes. These gifts continue long into the future, and many planned gifts are part of major gifts.
Types Of Planned Giving: Bequests, Gift of Retirement Assets, Life Insurance Policies, Bargain Sale Charitable Gift Annuities, Gift of Real Estate, and Charitable Remainder Trusts
IPTAY Premium Seating
FY 2013 - FY 2025
Block C Club
Block C Club: Block C Club helps to enhance the lifelong experience of Clemson student-athletes. Block C Club has four main purposes as a part of its mission - to provide fellowship among all letterwinners, recognize and honor former student-athletes, provide outreach to letterwinners in an effort to re-engage them with Clemson University and to educate current coaches and student-athletes about the history of Clemson Athletics.
740
BLOCK C CLUB MEMBERS
Hear Her Roar
206
HEAR HER ROAR DONORS
Elevating Women’s Athletics At Clemson: The Hear Her Roar initiative was launched in line with the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking Title IX legislation in an effort to continue raising awareness and financial support for Clemson’s women student-athletes. The momentum behind the growth of athletic opportunities for women at Clemson has never been more tremendous.
50 Forward: To celebrate the 50th Year of Women’s Athletics at Clemson, the University set an ambitious fundraising goal of $2.5 Million. This milestone aimed to honor the legacy and future of women’s sports at Clemson. Through the dedication and generosity of IPTAY donors, the campaign surpassed expectations by raising an impressive $3.3 Million. This total exceeded the original goal by $800,000 marking a significant achievement for the anniversary celebration and the continued advancement of women’s athletics at Clemson University.
$3.6M
HEAR HER ROAR DOLLARS GIVEN
Sport Specific Giving
$13.2M
CUMULATIVE DOLLARS RAISED SINCE FY22
Support Your Sport: All donors have the opportunity to make gifts that will directly impact a specific program and its studentathletes. In conjunction with IPTAY, coaches and athletic department administrators are able to identify needs for their respective programs and solicit support for those needs. Each year, sport-specific dollars raised through individual endowments and Support Your Sport initiatives help fuel each program and its annual operations. To learn more about a sport-specific gift, contact a member of the IPTAY Major Gifts team to make an impact on the sport of your choice.
Athletic Facility Spotlight
Watt Family Performance and Wellness Center: Clemson officially opens the newest facility in the athletics district.
On April 4, 2025, IPTAY and Clemson Athletics celebrated the official opening of the Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center. Named in honor of the Cornerstone Gift made by the families of Steven & Pam and Michael & Kimberly Watt, this state-of-the-art 55,000 square-foot facility will have an immediate impact on hundreds of Clemson student-athletes and their respective programs
After the ribbon cutting took place in early April, student-athletes began use of the space with the new weightroom and training area and sports medicine clinic. Additional services will continue to transition operations with full functionality of the renowned space beginning with the fall 2025 academic semester.
The Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center continues to reinforce Clemson’s intentional commitment to offering an elite student-athlete experience, providing the young men and women who wear the Paw with cutting-edge resources and technology unmatched anywhere else in the country. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of the Watt Family, this new addition will revolutionize the training and wellness experience for student-athletes and is poised to set a new standard in collegiate sports facilities.
IPTAY and Clemson Athletics thank the Watt Family for their enduring support of Clemson University, and all that they have done and continue to do to make Clemson a special place. Their loyal generosity to the University, most recently shown through the Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center, will have a transformational impact on Tiger student-athletes and further propel Clemson into a future of sustained championship excellence.
MOMENT IN CLEMSON HISTORY
In 1988, Clemson’s Cross Country team had an incredible run. The women finished third in the National Championship, while the men won the ACC Championship and finished fourth in the NCAA Championship.
TIGER LETTERWINNERS
BY: TIM BOURRET
SPOTLIGHT
Clemson Hall of Fame Women’s Basketball Coach Jim Davis has a lot of success stories among his former players. That includes his former Lady Tigers who have gone into coaching.
The first of his proteges to go into a Hall of Fame took place this past July when Jackie Roberts (Mattress, during her playing days), one of the reliable guards on his 1990-91 team that reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, was inducted into the South Carolina High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Roberts served 25 years as the head coach at Westside High School, where she posted a record of 415-130 and won two state championships between 1998 and 2023.
“If you asked me in 1991 if I thought Jackie Mattress would be a good coach someday, I would have said yes,” said Davis, who was present for her induction ceremony. “She was a point guard, a coach on the floor who was the ultimate team player. She got along with everyone and always encouraged her teammates. She didn’t score many points, but she was a team leader who was more known for her assists and defense.”
Roberts played two years for the Tigers after transferring from nearby
Anderson Junior College, a school that is now a four-year institution.
The native of Anderson, S.C., immediately impacted two Clemson NCAA Tournament teams in 198990 and 1990-91. Those teams had a combined 44-21 record. Roberts had 93 assists and just 53 turnovers her senior year, and that 1.75/1 assist/ turnover ratio is still fourth best in Clemson history. She added 41 steals and shot 77% from the foul line. Her 1.36 career assist/turnover ratio is still eighth in the Clemson record books.
Clemson has won just one Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament game, and Mattress started that 1991 game against James Madison.
Roberts went into coaching soon after graduating from Clemson at her high school alma mater, Westside High School in Anderson.
Coach William Roberts greatly impacted her growth as a player and would do the same for her coaching career. “I was in the sixth grade when I was playing a softball game and Coach Roberts was the umpire,” recalled Jackie. “After the game, he asked my friend Stacey Ford and me if we wanted to come out for the basketball team at the middle school.”
“He saw something in us in terms of athletic ability, and that is how it all
started.” Both young ladies went on to play college basketball, as Ford played at Georgia for four years.
Mr. Roberts is a legend in South Carolina High School coaching. He also coached football, track, and baseball, including 13 state championships.
“He was a great mentor, someone who was like a second father.” He actually became her father-in-law, as Jackie married his son Kory, who is now the principal at Westside.
“When I finished at Clemson, [William Roberts] asked me to be Westside’s junior varsity girls coach. I just had such faith in him, so I took the job right out of Clemson.”
Mr. Roberts retired in 1998, ending 47 years at the school. He turned the Westside women’s program over to Mattress, who had been his assistant for seven years. Roberts was inducted into the South Carolina high school basketball coaches Hall of Fame the year he retired, and now his successor, Jackie, has joined him with that honor.
“There are a lot of similarities between Coach Davis and Coach Roberts. They both care about their players on and off the court, and that is something I have tried to do as well. I have been lucky to learn under two great men.”
Some coaches coast late in their careers, but that is certainly not the case with Jackie, who won state championships in 2020-21 and 202122, her 23rd and 24th years as head coach. Her 2020-21 team was her best, going a perfect 28-0.
Jackie Roberts retired after the 2022-23 season, her 30th year with the school. Her successor, one of her former players, Nicole Hood, had two outstanding seasons, posting a combined 48-7 mark, but she decided to move to a different school for family reasons after the 2025 season.
The new coach at Westside for 202526? Jackie Roberts.
“We have a great group of seniors at Westside, whom I coached when they were freshmen. The timing was right for me to come out of retirement. I didn’t want those seniors to have a third coach in four years.”
Those veterans will now benefit from the teachings of a Hall of Fame coach.
BEYOND THE GAME
BY: AVY AKIN
AIDEN HAMPTON
MEN’S SOCCER | SENIOR | SOUTHBURY, CONN.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO WORK WITH VALIANT PLAYER?
AH: My teammate, Dylan Sullivan, and I got involved the fall of my freshman year in 2022. We wanted to get involved with children’s hospital patients and provide them with a Clemson men’s soccer experience. With this idea, we were able to get in touch with John Suchon, head of Valiant Player.
HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH VALIANT PLAYER?
AH: Dylan and I originally started with the idea of providing a children’s hospital patient the “Clemson Soccer experience.” In doing so, we named one patient our honorary captain of the season and we were lucky to accomplish our vision. On top of that, I’ve been fortunate to take teammates on multiple visits up to the Prisma Greenville Children’s hospital to visit the patients.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE?
AH: Being able to visit the kids gives you a change of perspective. I’ve walked into rooms where these kids are on chemo or preparing for major procedures and sometimes you would never know because they’re smiling and laughing. The kids are inspirational and a symbol of strength and courage. It can be a very moving experience.
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT WORKING WITH VALIANT PLAYER?
AH: I love helping people and when my teammates and I can walk into a room and make someone smile, it means the world. Not only are you able to help the patients but you’re also helping the parents and family members. Being able to see your positive impact firsthand is very rewarding.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY?
AH: Making someone laugh or smile can go a long way. Also, learning be thankful for what you have.
HAVE YOU BEEN TAUGHT ANYTHING WHILE WORKING WITH VALIANT PLAYER?
AH: I’ve been taught to put things in perspective. When I’m too tired for practice or don’t feel like studying, I tend to remind myself of some patients at the children’s hospital are dealing with major issues of adversity and have a positive attitude, so why can’t I?
HOW HAS WORKING WITH VALIANT PLAYER CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON?
AH: It’s made me realize that I might have inconveniences in my life, but I very rarely have real problems. It’s important to be thankful in life and to help those around you.
Valiant Player Mission: To share fellowship and create memories for patients and their families through our facility visits and hosting game day events. In addition it is our goal that these experiences will begin a lifelong commitment to public service for our student-athletes
THROUGH THE EYES OF THE TIGER
Celebrating more than seven decades of the Tiger Mascot.
BY: NIK JOHNSON
Transcending decades of history and tradition, the spirit of the Clemson Family continues to live through the University’s most recognizable figure - the Tiger Mascot. Whether it is inside Death Valley or any Clemson Athletic venue, the Tiger is known to all as the universal symbol of Tiger pride, representing thousands of living alumni and their love for their alma mater.
First introduced in 1954, the Tiger has since become a mainstay at Clemson Athletic events both at home and on the road. You will see him in his bright orange and white striped, yelloweyed suit hyping up the crowd, taking pictures with fans, swinging his tail around, and, of course, doing countless push-ups as the football team scores touchdowns inside Death Valley. The Tiger has become an essential part of the Clemson Athletics game day experience, carrying the University’s spirit and captivating members of the Clemson Family from all generations alike.
Since its inaugural season over seven decades ago, the Tiger mascot program has seen substantial amounts of growth both in terms of opportunity and resources. Beginning in the early 80s, IPTAY first started to focus intentional efforts on increasing opportunities for the Tiger mascot to expand its reach beyond just appearing at home sporting events. With then Executive Director, Joe Turner, leading the charge, IPTAY began to provide the mascot program with increased opportunities to travel to
away games, appear at campus events, and be available for any gathering that may have needed some extra Tiger spirit. Thanks to the efforts of Joe, IPTAY, and Clemson Athletics to propel the mascot program forward, the Clemson Tiger has since become one of the University’s greatest ambassadors both on and off the field. “The Tiger, when he appears at an athletic event or University event, he brings an enthusiasm for success for Clemson and every part of the University, not just athletics,” said Joe Turner. “It adds a dimension to Clemson University that has made a difference over many decades.”
Joe (‘71, M‘77), the 1997 Clemson Distinguished Service Award winner, and his wife Cathy (M‘76) have continued to support the Tiger mascot long after his time working in the IPTAY office.
In 1997, acknowledging the impact that the Tiger had on the identity of the University, the Turners established the Joe and Cathy Turner Tiger Mascot Program, generously pledging a multimillion dollar endowment to ensure the longevity of resources for the Tiger mascot and the dedicated Clemson students behind the suit. “We just believe the Tiger is that important to our University’s overall existence. It truly makes a difference,” Joe said, speaking on his motivation to provide support for the program. “Our Tiger makes Clemson people feel wonderful about themselves and their University. He creates a love for Clemson that is unsurpassable. Period.”
That love for Clemson was later carried on by another distinguished member of the Clemson Family, Stuart McWhorter.
Stuart, Athletic Cornerstone Partner, 2023 Clemson Distinguished Service Award Winner, and former Tiger mascot from 1989-91, financially supported the Tiger mascot program in 2001. The McWhorter Family’s gift directly funded the Tiger statue outside the Southeast corner of Memorial Stadium, and further ensured financial support, opportunities, and resources for all the students who would follow in Stuart’s paw prints. “We made the gift to honor all of those who served as the Tiger prior to me and since then. It comes from my appreciation of being the Tiger, and my love for Clemson University,” Stuart said.
One of Stuart’s favorite memories of being in the Tiger suit came during the 1989 Palmetto Bowl game in Columbia. Before the Tigers went on to defeat the Gamecocks 45-0, Stuart decided to have a little fun of his own during the halftime band performance. As Tiger Band completed its march and transitioned off the field to make way for the South Carolina band, he instinctively took hold of one of Clemson’s tubas and plotted his escapade. While wearing the bright orange Tiger suit and carrying a large brass tuba over his shoulders, Stuart trotted out to the fifty-yard line right in the middle of South Carolina’s band formation. After meandering around for a while, he recalls hearing a swarm of boos and seeing several Gamecock
fans attempt to jump over the walls to tackle him before they were eventually stopped by security. At that moment, he knew he had successfully done his own part to defeat South Carolina and escaped back to the sidelines without any harm.
Stories like that are what has helped shape the Tiger into the iconic figure that he is today. He’s not just any other college mascot. The Tiger’s character has developed into one that all college sports fans have learned to recognize and admire, portraying an identity that reaches far beyond an empty suit. “He’s tough, but he’s fun and loving, and he also has some swagger at the same time,” said Stuart, describing the
presence of the Tiger. “The Tiger has a cool-looking costume, and he’s got a fun personality too. They’ve done a great job creating something that Clemson fans have really grown to love.”
The Tiger mascot not only contributes to the Clemson game day atmosphere but also provides a life-changing experience for all of the students who adorn the suit during their time on campus. Not only does being the Tiger teach valuable life skills such as accountability, time management, and the ability to network, but it also allows for students to achieve levels of personal development unlike any other experience at Clemson. “For someone to become the mascot and
discover themselves and find out who they really are, I think that’s what really makes it cool,” said Stuart. “People find new levels of confidence and surprise themselves over who they grow to become over their time in the suit.”
A relatively quiet and reserved guy back in his college days, McWhorter serves as the perfect example of that testimony. “Being the Tiger transforms you. Nobody knows it’s you, as it could be anybody. That was the beauty of it for me,” he said. “I would think to myself, ‘I’m not Stuart McWhorter, I’m the Tiger.’ And a lightswitch would flip, and I would adopt a personality that those who knew me couldn’t believe.”
Over the years, even as the Tiger suit has undergone several physical changes, that same perspective still remains true amongst the students who fill its shoes today. Thomas Lowry, a 2025 Clemson graduate and a three-year Tiger mascot, had the honor of following in the footsteps of his father, Martin Lowry, after he, too, wore the suit back in the late 1980s. Martin and Stuart McWhorter shared the role together, acting as a two-man team throughout the 1989-90 season. A beneficiary of both Turner’s and McWhorter’s gifts to the program, students like Thomas are able to continue gaining life-changing experiences through serving as the Tiger for years to come. “Being able to follow after my dad, and be a major part of what makes Clemson, Clemson, meant so much to me,” said Thomas. “The Tiger opened so many doors for me to meet some incredible people and do some incredible things that otherwise I would not have been able to do, and I’m so grateful for the sense of purpose that the Tiger gave me throughout my college career.”
To Stuart, the Lowry’s, and all the students who have served as the Tiger mascot over the years, it means more than simply just walking around in a hot, sweaty suit. It’s about representing Clemson with honor and fostering the opportunity for a tangible connection between the Clemson Family and this great University for generations to come. “The more I reflect on my time as the mascot, the more I appreciate the experience I had,” McWhorter said. “It’s beyond just running around a basketball court or a football field doing push-ups. You are an ambassador of the University, and to me, that was just the greatest honor and privilege to be able to do that.”
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AWARDS
2024 - 2025
Reese Basinger, Chase Hunter, and Walker Parks have been named recipients of Clemson Athletic Department Awards for the 2024-25 academic year. Basinger is the recipient of the IPTAY Athlete of the Year, Hunter is the recipient of the Frank Howard Award, and Parks is the recipient of the Brandon Streeter Award.
The IPTAY Athlete of the Year is presented each year to the Clemson studentathlete who excels on the field and in the classroom. Basinger was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year for 2025, the first Clemson pitcher to win that award. She won 18 games and posted a 2.94 ERA over her 44 appearances in earning first-team All- ACC and firstteam All-Region honors.
Basinger’s 18th and final win of the year took place at the NCAA Super Regional in Austin where she led
REESE BASINGER
Softball
IPTAY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
the Tigers to a victory over eventual National Champion Texas. Basinger was a major contributor as Clemson won the ACC Championship for the first time and reached the Super Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
The native of Evans, Ga. was named the ACC Softball Scholar Athlete of the year after earning a 4.0 GPA in biology. She was named a third-team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators and was named an NFCA All-America Scholar.
The Frank Howard Award is presented each year to a Clemson student-athlete for bringing honor to Clemson. Hunter was the leading scorer on the Clemson Men’s Basketball team that posted a record 27 wins, including a record 18 in ACC play and a record nine ACC road wins.
The native of Atlanta, Ga. was a firstteam All-ACC selection on the court and was also selected to the Academic AllACC team. He joined former teammate Hunter Tyson as the only Clemson Basketball players to be selected to both first-team All-ACC teams in the
CHASE HUNTER Men’s Basketball
FRANK HOWARD AWARD
same year. He was also named the the NABC All-District team.
Hunter set a Clemson record by playing in 110 wins over his career. He finished third on Clemson’s career scoring list with 1,768 points and is sixth in assists with 435. As a senior in 2024-25, Hunter averaged a career high 16.8 points per game. He shot 41 percent on field goals and 87 percent from the foul line.
The Brandon Streeter Award is presented each year to the student-athlete who has overcome injury or illness to have an outstanding season on the field.
In 2022, Parks played the majority of Clemson’s ACC Championship campaign with torn ligaments in his ankle, an injury that was first suffered in an early October win against NC State. He missed most of the offseason after undergoing ankle surgery to repair three lateral ligaments and address bone spurs.
In the second game of Clemson’s 2023 season, Parks suffered an ankle injury, and an MRI revealed that his subtalar joint — the joint that acts as
BRANDON STREETER AWARD WALKER PARKS
a bridge between the foot and ankle — had fused together. Parks faced two different surgery options: one that would definitively fix the ankle but instantly end his football career, or another that Parks and medical personnel called “a flip of the coin.” He chose the latter and missed the final 11 games of the 2023 season.
Parks came back strong in 2024 and earned third-team All-ACC honors and was a big reason Clemson won the ACC Championship and reached the College Football Playoff. In addition to earning third-team All-ACC honors on the field, Parks was also a first-team Academic All-ACC selection.
Entering 2025, Parks has played 2,810 snaps over 53 games, 12th in Clemson history in total plays. He played 703 snaps in 2024 while starting all 14 games and helped Clemson to a top-15 national ranking in total offense with 452 yards per game. The native of Lexington, Ky. is a returning starting offensive lineman on Clemson’s 2025 team.
TRAVELING A NEW ROAD
An idea hatched on an interstate has rebranded and revitalized Clemson senior Adam Randall .
BY: ROSS TAYLOR
It’s not uncommon for commuters headed southbound on Interstate 85 from Charlotte to Upstate South Carolina to experience delays and detours in their journeys. The highway, much like a football program, seems to be under perpetual construction.
For senior Adam Randall, his detour landed him in a new role in Clemson’s backfield.
Randall’s journey at Clemson started in the spring of 2022. The midyear enrollee arrived from Myrtle Beach as a highly touted wide receiver ranked among the nation’s top 125 players by several major recruiting services. In his first semester on campus, he was one of the breakout stars of Clemson’s spring practice slate, as the chiseled 6-foot-2, 230-pound pass catcher garnered the nickname “Baby Julio” — a nod to the similarities his stature, his No. 8 jersey, and his ability to make contested plays shared with long-time NFL star Julio Jones.
But as quickly as his momentum built, it vanished. In early April in one of the team’s final practices of that spring, Randall tore his right ACL. Despite the setback, Randall returned to action in a remarkable 169 days to appear in 12 games as freshman, but the lost development time minimized his impact and limited him to 128 yards on 10 catches. He powered through a broken hand in 2023 and stress fractures in his feet in 2024 to appear in 25 games across his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Clemson’s passing game ascended rapidly in 2024, catapulting from 61st in the country in 2023 to 15th in 2024 in passing yards per game. The production jumped in part thanks to the arrivals of Freshman All-American Bryant Wesco Jr. and impact freshman T.J. Moore alongside the healthy return of slot receiver Antonio Williams. Randall played 12 games, but
Clemson’s improved depth held him to fewer than 250 offensive snaps on the year.
“Adam’s been one of those guys where it’s been frustrating because I want everyone to see what we’ve seen,” Head Coach Dabo Swinney said. “I know how talented he is… He’s had a lot of challenges along the way — unavailability, injuries, different stuff — and I think he lost his confidence a little bit.”
But in Clemson’s dramatic 3431 walk-off win against No. 8 SMU, Randall made the biggest play of his career, and it didn’t come at wide receiver.
Clemson lost its starting kick returner, Jay Haynes, to a knee injury during the contest. On a later kickoff return, its backup returner made a mental error that cost Clemson field position amid SMU’s furious comeback. Randall approached Swinney to volunteer — and almost demand — his services as an emergency kick returner.
By the time SMU tied the game at 31 with 16 seconds remaining, Swinney was in the market for someone surehanded and trustworthy to simply fair catch the ball. That was the plan for Randall until, at the last moment, Swinney changed his mind and told Randall, “You know what? Let’s return this thing.”
So on his first kickoff return of the season, Randall fielded an SMU kick at the Clemson four-yard line and weaved through traffic and contact to return the ball 41 yards to the Clemson 45 with nine seconds to play. The positioning set up Clemson to gain another 17 yards on its ensuing play and call timeout, setting up Nolan Hauser’s ACC title-winning 56-yard field goal as time expired.
Afterward, Clemson boarded its buses for its late night return to Clemson from Charlotte. And as the wheels of the
“
“ We say, ‘Let somebody else’s taillights be your headlights.’ Adam is the taillights you want to follow. - Dabo Swinney
bus turned down I-85, so too were the wheels turning in Swinney’s head.
A shoulder injury had significantly limited starting running back Phil Mafah down the stretch, and the addition of Haynes’ injury against SMU left Clemson with questionable depth at running back prior to the College Football Playoff.
“The whole bus ride back I’m thinking about Adam Randall,” Swinney said.
Swinney called a meeting with Randall the next day following Clemson’s College Football Playoff Selection Show watch party. The transfer portal was set to open a day later, but Swinney wanted to talk to Randall before it did.
“I asked him, ‘What’s the best thing you do as a football player?’” Swinney told the Gramlich & Mac Lain Podcast. “He said, ‘Run with the ball,’ and I
said, ‘Ding ding ding. The best thing you do is when you have the ball, you’re a problem to tackle.’”
So Swinney launched into his proposal for Randall: Transition to running back immediately in advance of Clemson’s College Football Playoff game against Texas, then use the spring the fully develop at the position for 2025.
“Let’s rebrand you,” Swinney pitched. “And [if it doesn’t work out], you can leave in May and I’ll do everything I can to help you get in the right spot.”
Swinney’s escape hatch for Randall quickly proved unnecessary. Randall ripped off a 41-yard rush at Texas, and this past offseason, he adapted swimmingly to the running back position. The respected and beloved teammate also quickly became a
veteran leader in a previously foreign position room.
For most outside observers — and, frankly, even several internal ones — many anticipated that Randall’s road back on I-85 after the ACC Championship Game would carry him out of Clemson and right into the transfer portal.
But those who saw the stacked depth chart ahead of Randall perhaps couldn’t see the depth of Randall’s love for Clemson.
“Clemson was the place I wanted to be,” Randall said. “This is home for me, so why not stick it out?”
Randall grew up coming to Dabo Swinney Football Camps in Clemson during his youth, even befriending Swinney’s youngest son, Clay, through the camps. Randall coveted an
opportunity to play collegiately for the in-state power.
Just past midnight in the early minutes of Sept. 1, 2020, Randall somewhat groggily answered a phone call from Clemson Wide Receivers Coach Tyler Grisham. The nationally coveted high school wideout already boasted numerous offers, and in those wee hours, he learned of his opportunity to play at his dream school.
Randall and his parents, Jerome and Wanda, recounted the moment on an episode of Clemson’s Emmy Award-winning series, House Call, this summer.
“I ran up there to my parents’ room after I got off the phone,” Adam said.
“Teary-eyed,” Wanda interjected.
“Ran up the stairs,” Jerome added, demonstratively hitting a table with his fists to simulate the noise. “We thought someone was breaking in the house.”
“I had to wake them up,” Adam continued. “I flipped the light on, and my mom rises up quick and goes, ‘What’s going on?!’ I was like, ‘Coach Grish just called me! Coach Grish just called me! They offered me a scholarship!’ My dad woke up, and I’d already had 20-plus scholarship offers…”
“But he was waiting on that one,” Jerome said, smiling.
“He was like, ‘Clemson? For real?!’” Adam recounted. “He got up and he was like, ‘Man, that’s great! That’s great!’ I’m teary-eyed, my dad’s tearyeyed, my mom’s still half asleep.”
“Then we all laid in the bed and cried,” Jerome added.
This July, Swinney said he truly believed Randall would be “one of the great, great stories in college football” in 2025. The rebranded Randall entered Clemson’s marquee season opener against No. 9 LSU as Clemson’s starter at running back.
In addition to his on-field contribution, Randall’s service to the Clemson community and his home area of Horry County led to his selection to the AFCA Good Works Team. To Swinney, it’s all part of the Adam Randall package, one built to navigate any detours on his journey.
“Adam is one of the best leaders we’ve had,” Swinney said. “We say, ‘Let somebody else’s taillights be your headlights.’ Adam is the taillights you want to follow… He’s a special, special human being and a great football player.”
IT’S A FAMILY THING
Collegiate soccer history comes to a head with the arrival of women’s soccer freshman Reese Klein.
BY: SAM WALTERS & RYAN SAULINE
In every sport, there are avenues and opportunities to prove oneself and even become the best. Whether it be taking over the top of the statistic leaderboards, being a figure in the locker room on and off the field, or winning national awards, athletes at all levels can be recognized for being great.
Many know of collegiate football’s Heisman Trophy, given to the top football player of the season. The Heisman of collegiate men’s soccer is known as the Hermann Award, which recognizes
the best player in the nation. The award was established in 1967, when St. Louis businessman and National Professional Soccer League co-founder Robert R. Hermann established it as the accolade to be given to the best of the best. For the past 57 years, athletes from across the United States have been chosen and given this prestigious accolade, and many compete for their entire collegiate careers to reach the level of most valuable.
Unbeknownst to most, the history of the prestigious award makes its way full
Those conversations, even the emotional ones, taught me that pressure is a privilege, and I continue to learn how to manage it every day. “ ”
circle to Clemson via Women’s Soccer’s newest freshman, Reese Klein. A defender from Cooper City, Fla., Klein’s connection to the award comes through family lineage, as Dov Markus, the first Hermann Award winner in 1967, is Klein’s grandfather.
“I played soccer for as long as I can remember,” Markus said in an interview. “As a young boy growing up in Israel, soccer was the ‘only sport in town.’ If you wanted to be accepted as part of the neighborhood, be a part of a team, have fun, and learn a skill, that is what you did. There were no basketballs, footballs, or baseballs in the area I lived, and no toys. Soccer in my town was not just a sport but a way of life.”
Markus scored 79 goals in 49 games across his collegiate career at Long Island University from 1965-67, setting a new NCAA record at the time. His accolades and accomplishments for the Blackbirds earned him two AllAmerican honors as well as national attention that was large enough to earn him the Hermann award.
“Soccer was not revered in the USA, by any means, and most people, excluding my family, friends, and other college soccer players, were unaware that it was a stellar accomplishment,” Markus said. “One of my professors at LIU said, ‘Congratulations, that award and 25 cents will get you a ride on the New York subway!’”
Although the award, and the sport, were not as widely known and recognized then, fans and athletes across the nation now know the importance and prestige of the nowcalled MAC Hermann Award, and even more people in the United States have fallen in love with the game of soccer.
Klein, who is aware of the accomplishments that her grandfather has made in collegiate soccer, has been able to share her love of the sport with him, and they have a special bond because of it.
“My grandfather and I have a very close relationship,” Klein said. “Growing up, we spent countless holidays, vacations, and weekends together, often revolving around soccer tournaments. He was a
constant supporter of both my sister and me, and he never missed a game, even during my sister’s collegiate career at Miami.”
During middle and high school, Reese was a team captain for Ft. Lauderdale United Football Club while being a part of the Girls Academy Advisory Panel from 2020-24. Her skills and accolades helped her earn a spot on the US Youth National Team, where she spent a year on the U17 team in 2023 and the U19 team in 2024.
As the No.11-ranked player according to TopDrawer Soccer, Klein was highly recruited as she looked for a place to take her talents while focusing highly on academics. While she traveled and played for the National Team, she gained exposure and eyes from colleges.
“Joining the National Team was the result of hard work, consistency, and commitment,” Klein said. “It was a major milestone that gave me confidence, exposure, and the opportunity to develop by training alongside the best players in the country. It also played a big role in the
recruiting process, and one moment that stood out to me was when Coach Eddie [Radwanski] told me that Clemson was the only staff that traveled to Sweden to watch me compete with the U16s. That meant a great deal.”
Entering college as a student-athlete can come with a lot of pressure, especially as the granddaughter of a former elite collegiate soccer player, and Klein has felt that weight already. However, as an early enrollee last spring, she has been able to grow and mesh with her teammates, and the support from her grandfather has never wavered, even before coming to Clemson.
“Being a top recruit comes with pressure, and so does being Dov’s granddaughter,” Klein said. “He knows the game extremely well and has always given me honest feedback. After every match, whether I played well or struggled, we would talk. Those conversations, even the emotional ones, taught me that pressure is a privilege, and I continue to learn how to manage it every day.”
Markus has always been one of the biggest supporters of Klein, and he has always seen her potential to be great. As a young and passionate soccer player, she spoke with her grandfather frequently about playing and what she could do with her passion in the future. Their love for the game and Markus’ passion to push her to be the best she could be allowed their bond to only grow stronger over time.
“Our love for the game was a common denominator in our lives as we enjoyed watching games together,” Markus said. “I am very proud of her accomplishments and growth, both at the national and collegiate levels. Having the opportunity to play in a top conference for a top program is going to challenge her and further develop her.”
Being able to support and cheer Klein on is one of the bright parts of Markus’ life, and their love and dedication to the sport are shown brightly in her background and her progression up to this point in her career. With a full season ahead of her and her collegiate
career with the Tigers on the rise, there is no way to know how far she will go, but she will always have a supporter in her grandfather.
“Her journey is in her hands, and I trust that with her dedication and commitment to the game, she will continue growing as both a person and a player,” Markus said. “I may not be around forever, but I know she has a bright future and playing career ahead of her!”
THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Phil Jones’ coaching and recruitment philosophies have been integral to the success of Clemson’s Men’s Soccer team.
BY: CAROLINE JAMES WARNER
For the past 16 years, Phil Jones has been a central figure for Clemson University’s Men’s Soccer team. Initially beginning as an assistant coach in 2010, Jones was elevated to the role of associate head coach in 2012. Working alongside Head Coach Mike Noonan, Jones has coached the Tigers towards two national titles.
Jones’ journey with soccer began in his hometown of Liverpool, England, with the sport deeply entrenched in his family’s life. From an early age, Jones watched his father, older brother, and uncles play soccer; it was only natural that Jones would gravitate towards England’s most popular sport.
At 16 years old, Jones left school to play soccer professionally, playing for the Wigan Athletic Football Club, based in Greater Manchester, England. With soccer becoming a career at such a young age for Jones, alongside the stress and disappointments of professional contracts, he found himself falling out of love with the sport. Jones explains,
“It became more of like a job than it did my passion and what I love to do.”
However, when Jones was nineteen, he got the opportunity to play soccer and pursue his academic interests at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He found himself rediscovering his love for soccer all over again. “It was about the team. It wasn’t about the pressures of getting another contract.” Jones’ collegiate soccer experience made him “Want to give that to other kids and… other players. If they’re in love with the game, keep them in love and passionate about the game; if they’re not, bring that back to them, like it did for me.”
In his coaching career at Clemson, Jones has honed in on the recruiting side of the game. When asked what drew him to that specific side of coaching, he explained, “Recruiting’s kind of the lifeblood of the program. Like, you know, your culture, the culture of your program, starts with your recruitment process.” Jones elaborates that it isn’t just about the skills displayed on
the field, but the University’s soccer program needs to bring in the right people, the right characters, the right leaders, not just the right player.
Regarding Jones’ coaching philosophy, he’s inspired by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, with some of his wisdom adorning the wall of his office, “In life, talent without unity of purpose is a hopelessly devalued commodity.” Ferguson advises, “Togetherness is not just a nice concept that you can take or leave…selfishness, factionalism, cliquishness, and egos are all personal traits that are death to a team.”
Jones has coached alongside Clemson Men’s Soccer Head Coach Mike Noonan for 16 years, with their professional collaboration beginning at Brown University in 2009. When reflecting on the years of memories formed with the two-time national titlewinning head coach, winning their first national championship stands out as his favorite. Jones reflects, “I’ve been here for a lot of Coach’s journey, you
If they’re in love with the game, keep them in love and passionate about the game: if they’re not, bring that back to them, like it did for me. “ ”
know that brought him to Clemson, and the vision that he had when he arrived here, and the sacrifices that he’s made in order to bring Clemson back to the top of college soccer, even though I felt like we did that without our national championship, the National Championship really kind of like solidified it.”
Clemson Men’s Soccer has changed every facet of Jones’ life; the culture that he embodies today, compared to fifteen years ago, is like night and day. He explains, “Expectation to compete on and off the field is real, and you learn a lot about yourself as those seasons come and go.” College soccer constantly changes and evolves, and, according to Jones, “We have to change and evolve with it. There’s a lot of, I’d say, expectation. So, with that, I’ve learned about how to deal with disappointment and how to respond to disappointment, and how to use it as growth and use it to improve and get better. I’ve also been able to use those adversities and challenges in my own life that I’ve faced as well.”
Outside of recruiting and coaching, Jones’ life revolves around a new addition he and his wife Kathryn recently welcomed into their family: his nineteen-month-old daughter, Piper. With a proud smile, Jones exclaims that she “is his whole world” and explains that she has recently begun to learn some new words. A pure joy instantly fills the space when given the chance to discuss his family; Jones remarks, “Being with my wife and my little baby is my favorite thing to do.”
When asked about his vision for the future of Clemson Men’s Soccer, Jones wants to see the program continue being a leader in college soccer and how the sport evolves, and as he thinks about just how much the sport has changed and grown during his time with the team, he sees Clemson as a leader in that continued growth. Clemson Men’s Soccer has taught Jones numerous lessons in both the game and in his life off the field, but one stands out amongst them all, “There are no shortcuts to working hard.” For associate head coach Phil Jones, hard work is all about competing with who we were yesterday and being better today.
PHOTO OF THE ISSUE
IPTAY Collegiate Club surpasses 10,000 members for the first time in history.
The IPTAY Collegiate Club, the program specifically for students to contribute to IPTAY, saw its membership reach 10,000 members for the first time in the IPTAY 2026 year. Collegiate Club, the largest of its kind in the country, continues to see growth year by year.
A NEW ERA FOR BEYOND THE PAW
Mia McGrath and Eve Jackson begin a new era for the future of their podcast.
BY: SAM WALTERS
One of the most important things about a person is how they view themselves. The question “Who are you?” is not one easily answered. With so many layers to peel back, stories to tell, and things to define you, identity is not something easily defined, or even known. It takes self-exploration, reflection, grinding, and sometimes
even divinity. The wisest person in the room typically is not the one with the most knowledge and experience; it is the person who knows who they are. Athletics is filled with a critical fallacy; people are seen onedimensionally. People who are so passionate about sports, who dive into themselves and into thousands of hours
of training to compete for what matters to them, often don’t receive the luxury of choosing their identity. They might have found a major part of themselves as an athlete, competitor, or victor. Surely, however, that is not the end of their stories.
Over a year ago, two Clemson studentathletes took this problem head-on,
releasing the pilot episode of their dually hosted podcast, ‘Beyond the Paw.’ Megan Bornkamp and Ally Lynch, Clemson students and competitors on the women’s soccer team, launched their podcast with Clemson Athletics with one major purpose in mind: to share the stories of who student-athletes are as people. Sure enough, their mission was successful, as they put out 31 episodes in the span of a little over a year, telling stories and going beyond the identity of sports. Their guests spanned across all sports, including conversations with Clemson Football’s Barrett Carter, Baseball’s Blake Wright, Lacrosse’s Paris Masaracchia, and many more.
As graduation was nearing for the two hosts, they began a search for their replacements. Enter Mia McGrath, a native of Deerfield, Ill., who competes on Clemson’s Volleyball team. After playing volleyball since she was little, she was drawn to Clemson for its smalltown feel, family environment, and an interaction with Clemson’s Volleyball coach in eighth grade. In the spring of 2024, McGrath began to formulate an idea of creating a podcast, as podcasts have always been a passion of hers. However, the volleyball season hit, and things never came into fruition.
October came around, and Bornkamp and Lynch reached out to McGrath about coming onto the podcast to share her story and make an episode together. This is where it all started.
“I went on the podcast, and we were just talking about what I want to do,” McGrath said. “I brought up, ‘Oh, I’ve always wanted to start a podcast, so it’s a super cool opportunity to go on it.’ Megan and Ally said, ‘Well, we’re graduating in December, would you want to take over?’ I was caught off guard, and after thinking about it said, ‘Yeah, that’s awesome.’”
With the opportunity to fulfill her dreams of hosting a podcast, especially with what Bornkamp and Lynch had laid the foundations for, McGrath dove in. Her love of the conversations that they have on the podcast, researching the stories and background of their guests, and getting to know them better, intrigued her from the beginning, and she saw the potential of what the podcast could be for the future.
“I love how they got different stories out of people,” McGrath said. “Not things that you would know just by
seeing them as a football or a soccer player. Obviously, it’s in the name, going beyond who they are as an athlete and seeing what they’ve gone through in life and little things that you would never know about them.”
After receiving the offer to host the podcast, McGrath needed someone by her side. After being randomly added to a group chat, McGrath met her new cohost, Eve Jackson. Although they didn’t know each other, and things began virtually before joining in the recording room, they found a great mesh together.
“Once we found out, we hit the ground running,” McGrath said. “I didn’t really know Eve that well before, but I feel like we now have a really good idea of how we both work and how we operate. As we do more podcasts, we get closer, and we understand each other more. It was cool to get to do that with her.”
Just like that, ‘Beyond the Paw’ had its new hosts, and the podcast has been filled with more passion than ever. Since the beginning of the new era, they have recorded and posted five episodes, having engaging and fun conversations
and learning the stories of athletes whose stories and true identity may often be overlooked. Some of their recent guests have included Clemson Softball’s Abi Vieira, where they get to hear about her role as a catcher for the softball team and being a part of POWER; Football’s Tristan Smith, who shares his story of transferring to Clemson and how he became who he is today; and many more people with stories to share.
“I never want to be put in the box of being just an athlete or a studentathlete,” McGrath said. “There’s obviously so much more to that and being on so many different teams and meeting so many different people at Clemson, everyone is truly amazing, and there’s always more to see.”
There is more on the horizon, too, as McGrath and Jackson have eager eyes and many ideas of ways that they can help grow the podcast in their new roles, including reaching out to coaches, alumni, and other groups of people to hear their stories and to expand outward. With so much more to come, it’s a new era for ‘Beyond the Paw.’
RUNNING FOR A PURPOSE
Victor Ndiwa races to win, and more importantly, provide for his family back
home.
BY: SAM WALTERS & RYAN SAULINE
Sports are beautiful, not only in how they bring people together or provide incomparable entertainment, but also in how they change lives.
The beauty of sports is that they can be an answer for anybody, whether competing or watching. For the fan, sports can be a way to meet others or a group to celebrate with. The competitor can find their home amongst the competition and with the team they are a part of. For some people, sports are the only way.
For Victor Ndiwa, running was not just an action or an activity but a way to help bring change and provide for his family. Growing up in a small village in Kenya with nine siblings, his chance to compete and gain attention through his skills was a hope for his family.
“I grew up in Kenya, and Kenya is a famous country in the world, especially
“
“ But one guy came and told me, ‘Please can you go to school so that maybe you can be the destiny helper in your family?’
for athletes,” Ndiwa said in an interview. “Many athletes come from Kenya, and people in Kenya believe, ‘When I run, I’ll get rich.’
Running was the way to help provide for his family, so all throughout his schooling, Ndiwa ran and attended camps to earn a chance to attend college in the United States and run. Due to the strife and challenges of education, he admitted to nearly quitting primary school, but the importance of continuing to train and work hard for his family pushed him.
“I said, ‘I’m not going to school anymore,’” Ndiwa said, “But one guy came and told me, ‘Please, can you go to school so that maybe you can be the destiny helper in your family?’ The next day, I went to school after I had stayed home for one month without attending school.”
Ndiwa attended boarding school during high school but did not return home to see his family for four years. After high school, Ndiwa went to Premier Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, and attended camp while being scouted by colleges across the United States and Australia. Clemson Track & Field coach Mark Elliot eventually offered him the chance to come to Clemson, and Ndiwa was able to secure a passport and Visa while in Nairobi.
“They asked me three questions, and I answered them all correctly,” Ndiwa said. “Then, they gave me a Visa. So, I stayed there for one week, and then came here. Everything was so different for me.”
The culture shock of coming to a new country, learning a language, and
acclimating to being away from family as a student would be a challenge for anybody, and Ndiwa was no exception. Although getting used to the new environment was challenging, he was supported on all sides.
“He has definitely opened up a lot since he first got here,” Ndiwa’s academic advisor, JT Mellendick, said. “He was a little shy at first, and then he got to know us a lot better. He likes to share a lot about his hometown, his family, and the area he comes from.”
Within his first year at Clemson, Ndiwa competed and achieved many successes as a part of the track & field and cross country programs, including running a 4:05:28 mile in the Bob Pullock meet in January of 2023 and placing 3rd in the Knights Invite in March by running the 800-meter race in only 1:48:46.
One of the most challenging parts of his career came when Ndiwa’s brother passed away in late 2023. After getting in a fight on a hunting trip, his brother sustained a concussion and other severe injuries, and despite hospital treatment, he wasn’t able to survive.
“It was a hard life for me, because I had to divide my scholarship into two equal parts, so that I could pay school fees for his kids,” Ndiwa said. “I also had to pay for my own things, and then I also needed to pay for my mom’s food and everything else. So, me being here is a big thing.”
Ndiwa traveled back home to Kenya to attend his late brother’s funeral before returning to Clemson to compete in the NCAA Southeast Region Championships. On his way back to
the United States, he learned of the passing of his grandfather and was unable to attend his funeral due to the time he needed to be back to compete. Through all of the grieving and pain that comes with losing a loved one, Ndiwa chose to compete to support his family and placed 25th overall, just missing the mark to make nationals for that year. His focus shifted to the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener in December, where he was hit with another obstacle.
“I was inside a group of people, and I was struggling to get out, but I wasn’t able to,” Ndiwa said. “I hit somebody in front of me, and I lost my speed. Then, somebody behind me stepped on my leg, and I started losing control and fell down.”
A severe fracture in Ndiwa’s leg ended his race, and the emotions were heavy. As the leading supporter of his
family abroad, he knew that his family would be worried about his injury and how he would recover and ultimately be able to support the ones he loved.
“I told my mom and brother after one year,” Ndiwa said. “I did not tell anyone back home, because when I tell them, they will be stressed about me, because they know that I broke my leg and I’m the only one; I provide everything, so they will lose everything.”
Ndiwa went through rehab for many months before returning to racing in the fall of 2024. In between then, he faced different pains and flares from another stress fracture in his leg, as well as pain in his right leg, which caused him to recently remove the screws placed during surgery. Through his experiences and time here, even in his injury recovery, he has flourished and grown with his team while truly becoming a member of the Clemson Family,
including improving academically in such a unique environment.
“His communication skills are so much better than they were,” Cross Country Head Coach Vicky Pounds said. “I feel like everything that he has endured as a student-athlete and the hardships, I know that it has had to have made him a stronger person.”
Against all odds, Victor Ndiwa faced some of the most challenging situations that he could’ve imagined and came out on the other side, for his team and for his family back home. After all the injuries and the growth he has experienced, his love for the sport is stronger than ever.
“I am so glad I am still running,” Ndiwa said. “I wish to run without injuries and run like never before because I love running so much.
EMPOWERED BY POWER
Clemson Gymnast Molly Arnold shares her experiences being a part of the 2024-2025 POWER Cohort.
BY: NIK JOHNSON & MOLLY ARNOLD
Completing its fourth year of operation in 2025, Clemson’s POWER Leadership Academy continues to have a transformational impact on the student-athletes who engage with the program. The year-long journey of leadership development provides each cohort a unique experience of both personal and professional growth, as select
Clemson student-athletes participate in leadership workshop sessions, attend the annual experiential business trip, and host a summer leadership summit held here on campus. Current graduatestudent gymnast, Molly Arnold, provides perspective on her experiences as a member of the 2024-25 POWER cohort and a special behind-the-scenes look into the program.
The program has had a lasting impact on me, shaping me into a stronger and more confident leader as a woman in sports... “ ”
During the 2024–25 academic year, I was accepted into Clemson’s POWER Leadership Academy, which was a truly transformative and empowering experience that strengthened both my leadership and professional skills. Throughout eight workshop sessions, we explored topics such as “owning the hard,” “owning your strengths,” “owning your voice,” and “owning your wholeness.” These lessons not only enhanced my effectiveness as a leader on my team but also fostered personal growth and prepared me for long-term success in my professional career.
Following our eight sessions, we embarked on a five-day summer trip to Kansas City. We started strong with a surprise first activity which was boxing at 7 a.m. This pushed us both physically and mentally while creating a fun and memorable challenge. Throughout the trip, we explored different career paths, gained insight into professional attire, expanded our networks by engaging with a variety of professionals, and even delivered individual five-minute TED Talk–style speeches on the bus between each place we went. I also had the
opportunity to connect with the other female student-athletes in the cohort, building meaningful relationships and creating memories that will last a lifetime. While many activities pushed me outside of my comfort zone, the experience ultimately strengthened my professional skills, fueled my personal growth, and prepared me for long-term success in my future career. This trip taught me a great deal about myself and the kind of leader and professional I aspire to be. I gained valuable lessons in professionalism that will guide me as I transition from being a student-athlete to working professional. My biggest takeaway was learning to be okay with being uncomfortable. Stepping outside my comfort zone led to an empowering experience that helped me build meaningful connections.
Following the trip, we hosted the POWER Leadership Summit, where we shared the valuable lessons gained throughout the program and during our experience in Kansas City. The theme, “Lead Big. Lead Different.,” reflected the growth and insights of our POWER cohort. Presentation topics included
“Be Strong,” “Lead from Within,” “Standing on Business in KC” (which I presented with my small group), “Humans are Art,” and “Embracing the Challenge,” along with several individual presentations that reflected “Owning your Voice.” Before the trip, I was extremely nervous about public speaking, as it had never been one of my strengths. However, after pushing myself outside my comfort zone in Kansas City, I returned with more confidence and genuine excitement to share our journey and lessons with others. As I look back on my experience in POWER, I not only strengthened my leadership and professional skills but also had fun and created memories that will last a lifetime. This opportunity was incredibly empowering, and I would highly recommend it to any studentathlete. The program has had a lasting impact on me, shaping me into a stronger and more confident leader as a woman in sports, and it has prepared me for continued growth and success as I begin my professional career.
MOLLY ARNOLD
Through POWER, Clemson is able to provide its student-athletes with a life-changing experience unparalleled anywhere else in collegiate athletics. POWER Co-Founder, Tori Niemann Lukens, and her team built the program with intentional focus on providing student-athletes with a space to foster relationships, develop confidence, and grow both as a person and as a young professional. Now after serving its fourth cohort, the program’s impact has been extraordinary.
“I think POWER has had an incredible impact on so many different levels,” said Niemann Lukens. “Seeing student-athletes gain more confidence, engage in public spaces, be in front of rooms giving talks, getting jobs, and have really exciting things happen professionally now that they have been out in the real world, it’s just really cool.”
In addition to participating in various leadership workshops throughout the year, the highlights of the program come in the form of the annual experiential business trip and the summer leadership summit.
This past year, the POWER cohort traveled to Kansas City where they had the opportunity to engage with several different types of industry fields and companies. The group visited professional sports organizations, architecture firms, financial companies, a medical lab, and even a womanowned small business, providing a well-rounded experience that served the future professional interests of all members of the cohort.
Upon returning home, the studentathletes hosted their annual summer leadership summit. Over 130 attendees were present, those that included Clemson Athletics coaches, alumni,
and fellow student-athlete peers who came to learn from the POWER cohort and their experiences as leaders. Three student-athletes gave professional presentations, while others shared their personal stories and led group workshops with the attendees.
“It’s really cool for us to showcase and highlight the student-athletes and see them outside of Clemson, outside of their uniform or off the field, and see them in these corporate spaces,” said Niemann Lukens speaking on the Kansas City trip. “And then they take the momentum from that trip, and they get to give back through the summit. How may student-athletes anywhere get to lead a group of 130 coaches and peers? That doesn’t happen, and that’s really cool that we do that at Clemson.”
When it comes to support for the program, there is no shortage of love from the Clemson Family. POWER is entirely donor funded, further affirming IPTAY and Clemson Athletics’ mission to provide its student-athletes with an elite experience during their time on campus.
“We are so eternally grateful for all of the IPTAY donors who have supported POWER and all that we do within Student-Athlete Development,” Niemann Lukens said. “And especially the Sutton Family and the Schoen Foundation not only for their gift, but for who they are as people and for how much they care about the program.”
Jay and Karen Stutton, with the Schoen Foundation, pledged $1.25 million to support the POWER program last year.
“It truly was a game-changing gift,” said Niemann Lukens.
Clemson Athletics Staff have continued to provide POWER with incredible opportunities and professional connections, helping aid the program to expand its reach and provide its student-athletes with resources necessary to help them develop as young professionals. It is that commitment from the entirety of the Clemson staff that reveals just how special this place really is.
“POWER makes Clemson special, and Clemson makes POWER special,” said Niemann Lukens. “It’s really cool to have everyone working together to be innovative and create an opportunity that both challenges and supports our student-athletes in a unique way.”
DALE GILBERT: HONORARY ALUM
The longtime voice of Memorial Stadium and Littlejohn Coliseum is awarded one of Clemson’s most distinguished honors.
BY: ASHBY BURTON
Dale Gilbert: You’ve seen him on your TV screens delivering the weather for WYFF News 4, you’ve heard him announcing the made threepointers to a full Littlejohn Coliseum, and you’ve heard him as the Tigers enter the endzone in Memorial Stadium. For 31 years, Dale’s voice has been synonymous with Clemson Athletics. And now, he is an honorary alumnus of Clemson University.
The honorary alum designation is awarded by the Clemson Alumni Association Board of Directors to individuals who exemplify exceptional service, lifelong devotion, and
unwavering loyalty to Clemson University or the Alumni Association.
Over time, few venues around the country have heard the same public address (PA) announcer for over 30 years. Clemson has been fortunate to have one of the best in its venues for over three decades. During this time, Dale has been an ambassador for Clemson, always representing the University and Athletic Department with the highest class. On gameday, fans come up to the game operations booth window of Memorial Stadium or to the scorer’s table of Littlejohn Coliseum to say hello, to say that they spent time with
Dale on their TV, to tell him that he is important to their gameday memories. Dale is a local celebrity.
Those who have had the opportunity to work with Dale know what a special person he is to work with. It sounds cliché, but Dale genuinely lights up a room with his infectious personality, dedication to his craft, and pure excitement for Clemson Athletics. Clemson is rich in tradition, and Dale carries Clemson traditions with pride. The happiness in his voice that radiates through Clemson Athletic venues continues to be such an important piece of Clemson gameday and the memories made by thousands in Memorial Stadium and Littlejohn Coliseum each year.
On September 6, 2025, Dale was led into the Bob Bradley Press Box hallway ahead of the Clemson Football game vs. Troy. When he entered the hallway, he was met by Clemson University Alumni Association CEO, Wil Brasington, and Board Chair, Deb Conklin, along with a large group of friends, co-workers, and media. The look of surprise and joy when he entered the hallway and Wil officially welcomed Dale to the Clemson Alumni Association brought a smile to the faces of those who were present.
Dale’s Clemson history extends past just his work on the microphone. All four of Dale and his wife Trudie’s children graduated from Clemson. It was truly an honor for Dale to join the ranks of more than 194,000 living alumni of Clemson, but especially to join his three daughters and son, Stefanie, Jessica, Alison, and Michael.
The surprises didn’t stop after this recognition. Just before the Tigers ran down The Hill, Dale was taken down to the Rock to be recognized, where he was met by his four children, nine grandchildren, and his wife, Trudie.
Entering the day, Dale had no idea what surprises were in store. Seeing the joy of his entire family there to support him became the highlight of the experience. How Dale became Clemson’s PA announcer came from his love for radio. In the early days of the Tiger Tailgate Show, Dale was a traveling reporter, traveling across campus on a golf cart, interviewing fans at tailgates and on their way into the game. It was when the Tiger Tailgate Show switched affiliates that he was approached by Tim Match to become the announcer in Memorial Stadium. Excited to take on the new role, despite never announcing football, he accepted and began seeking ways to learn more. Over the next year, he prepared by shadowing the Carolina Panthers announcer while they played in Memorial Stadium and volunteering at a local high school to get the feel for being on the mic during a game. While not having prior experience announcing football, he had always loved the idea of announcing. Dating back to high school, he always enjoyed introducing people, making announcements on the intercom, and eventually securing a host position at
a local radio station in his hometown of Rock Hill, S.C.
The role of public address announcer is what he was cut out to be. “This position is fun because it combines my love with my family’s connection,” said Gilbert. “At one point, all four of my kids were in school here while I was doing this, and it’s great to think how this has become an even bigger part of our family.” The excitement of gameday continues to fuel him to come back each football and basketball season. “One of my favorite parts is being such a small part of the bigger gameday. To be there for some of the most exciting moments in Clemson Athletic history and being part of the excitement is why I continue to do this.”
Dale recalls moments like an early 2000’s football game vs. South Carolina, where the Tigers kicked a field goal to win, a “Bowden Bowl” game against FSU, where “In the Air Tonight” played, and the crowd energy was inexplainable, and major wins against Duke and North Carolina in Littlejohn Coliseum. “We talk about football, but I really think about all the times that basketball has won major games against the basketball blue bloods. The energy in Littlejohn Coliseum on those nights is almost unreal if you aren’t there to witness,” said Dale. “All of
Clemson has always been a part of who I am; now it is really a part of who I am. “ ”
the excitement is why I keep coming back. It’s the youthful enthusiasm of student-athletes, feeling the energy of the Clemson crowd, and being part of the big moments.”
Since taking over this role 31 years ago, Dale has only missed two football games and only a handful of men’s basketball games. His commitment to Clemson and how he has been a lifelong Tiger were key pillars in Dale receiving this distinction.
Mike Money, Associate Athletic Director for Corporate Partnerships with Clemson Ventures, has worked with Dale in some capacity for the last 19 years. “I wanted to see Dale receive this distinction because of how he has adopted Clemson as his school and team during his time working athletic events here,” said Money. “Dale has given his all to this University with his time and voice. He is truly one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and I am happy to see him receive this honor for his commitment to Clemson.”
“I truly had no idea this was coming,” said Dale. “This recognition meant a lot to me. It shows that people I have worked with over the years care about me and what I have done. It did wonders for my heart, especially now knowing how much went into this surprise.”
“I was so grateful for the recognition and the kind words said by those in the Alumni Association,” said Dale. “What
really got me was when it was close to the team running down the Hill, and I was told we needed to take pictures at the Rock. I looked at my watch and said, ‘It’s a little close to time to announce, isn’t it?’ When I got down to the Rock and saw my wife, all four of my kids, my son who flew in from out of town, and my grandchildren, that was a special moment.”
Now an official member of the Clemson Family, Dale spoke about what Clemson means to him. “Everything Clemson that I have been associated with has been nothing but a wonderful experience. Sending four kids to
Clemson and always being around it, I have always felt like a Clemson guy. It may have taken 31 years, but now I can say that I’m official, I have the plaque and ring to prove it,” Dale laughed. “Clemson has always been a part of who I am; now it is really a part of who I am.”
While receiving this honor, Clemson fans can rest easy knowing that Dale has no intention of leaving the booth or the sideline anytime soon. Being part of the moments with the Clemson Family has been what has fueled Dale for the past 31 years, and he plans to be there for many more moments to come.
HONORARY ALUM: COACH NOONAN
Clemson Alumni Association recognizes Head Coach Mike Noonan as Honorary Alumnus.
BY: DANA MORGAN
The Clemson Alumni Association has proudly named Mike Noonan an Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University—one of the highest honors awarded to individuals who, while not graduates of Clemson, have made a profound and lasting impact on the University.
Since becoming the Clemson University Men’s Soccer Head Coach in 2010, Noonan has transformed the program into a national powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Tigers
have captured three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and two NCAA national championships— achievements that have elevated Clemson’s reputation in collegiate athletics. His influence extends beyond the scoreboard: since he began coaching at Clemson, over 30 players have been drafted into Major League Soccer, and two have earned the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s equivalent of the Heisman.
Dedicated to his team and community on and off the field, Noonan is devoted to volunteering, as demonstrated by his 2018-19 team being ranked second in the country for community service hours recorded amongst men’s soccer teams. He is a trusted mentor, a passionate advocate for Clemson’s mission, and a respected voice within the broader Clemson Athletic Department.
“More than just a successful coach, Mike Noonan is a mentor, guiding young men to become leaders and good citizens,” said Clemson University Trustee Joe Swann. “His approach to player development encompasses both on-field strategy and character building, ensuring that his players leave Clemson not only as successful athletes, but as individuals well-equipped to make meaningful impacts in the world.”
Coach Noonan has fostered a culture where hard work, sportsmanship, and personal growth are valued as victories.
“Noonan has not only cemented himself as one of the premier coaches in collegiate soccer, but he has also
embodied the very best of what it means to be a Clemson Tiger,” stated Director of Clemson Athletics, Graham Neff. “His leadership, character, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a profound and lasting impact on this University and this community.”
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this honor from the Alumni Association,” said Noonan. “This University has become our home, and our family has grown here. This honor is about so much more than the success of our program – it’s the people that support us every day from administration, IPTAY, our players and staff – and their dedication to this University that makes this so special. I am proud to be recognized and look forward to many more lasting memories.”
Wil Brasington, CEO of the Clemson Alumni Association, personally presented the honorary alumnus designation to Mike Noonan in front of the team, and carried forward remarks
by University President, Jim Clements. “Clemson has benefitted tremendously from the impact Coach Noonan has had on his student-athletes and the Clemson Community for more than 15 years,” Brasington said. “It is an honor to present him with this well-deserved designation.”
The honorary alumnus/a designation is awarded by the Clemson Alumni Association Board of Directors to individuals who exemplify exceptional service, lifelong devotion, and unwavering loyalty to Clemson University or the Alumni Association.
Nominations for the 2026 honorary alumnus/a designation open in October 2025. To nominate a deserving individual, view past honorees, or review award guidelines, visit alumni. clemson.edu/honoraryalum
This story was written by Dana Morgan and was originally published at alumni.clemson.edu. To view other Clemson Honorary Alumni bios, visit the Clemson Alumni Association website.
CLEMSON ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES ‘DEATH VALLEY NIGHTS’
Partnership announced for concert series in Memorial Stadium.
Clemson University Athletics has announced a partnership between Clemson Ventures and Does Entertainment to bring concert events back to Memorial Stadium, beginning spring of 2026. Death Valley Nights – a nod to the iconic alias of Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium – is a concert series designed to enhance campus life by offering world-class live music events for students, faculty, alumni, and local residents. Headline performers and other details for the first show will be announced at a later date.
“We’re excited to work with innovative entertainment professionals to deliver exceptional live music experiences at Clemson University,” said Graham Neff, Clemson’s Director of Athletics. “Memorial Stadium is a world-class venue for hosting events
and this collaboration between Clemson Ventures and Does Entertainment not only elevates the cultural opportunities on campus but also strengthens our ties to the greater Upstate South Carolina community.”
“Working with Clemson University is an incredible opportunity,” said Tom Stinchfield, Chief Development Officer of Does Entertainment. “We’re eager to bring unforgettable performances to Clemson and add a new layer of vibrancy to the university’s already dynamic atmosphere.”
Announcements regarding specific performances and event dates will be shared in the near future.
Who is Does Entertainment?
Does Entertainment formed as a dynamic collective of industry experts and respected colleagues
in live entertainment. For decades, together and apart, the team has been consulting, advising, and building with like-minded individuals who collectively create musical spaces and experiences that bring people together.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN THE INTEREST LIST TODAY!
THE BRIDGE TO WHAT’S NEXT
Developing skills, gaining experience, and building confidence: The impact of Clemson’s UPIC Internship Program on student-athletes.
BY: GABE SMITH
Being a student-athlete can be a rewarding endeavor; at the same time, this lifestyle requires extreme discipline. This experience is quite different from that of a typical college student. While student-athletes attend the same classes, wear the same colors, and share similar campus experiences, their opportunities for extracurricular involvement in professional development are limited due to their demanding schedules. However, Clemson University’s Professional Internship and Co-op Program (UPIC) provides these studentathletes with the critical experiences that build skills and exposure needed for their careers beyond athletics.
The UPIC program provides numerous student-athletes with the chance to acquire paid internships across various University departments, ranging from finance and marketing to nutrition and operational support. These internships
typically last a semester, but they also include structured professional development sessions that help student-athletes identify transferable skills, build professional networks, and gain direct practice.
Men’s Track & Field student-athlete Ayo Oyetunji explained how his internship reinforced skills learned through athletics.
“Time management and teamwork have been the most important attributes I have learned,” he said. “UPIC has provided an experience that helped develop my communication and adaptability skills, which will benefit me on the track team and in a professional setting.”
During the 2024-2025 academic year, Clemson provided approximately 90 paid UPIC internships, with these student-athletes earning more than $112,000 collectively. These interns work in offices across campus, including
the controller’s office, University Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, and Olympic Sports Nutrition, among others.
All the earnings and the department placements are nice, but the true value of UPIC lies in the professional growth that these internships provide. Through these experiences, student-athletes not only gain practical workplace experience but also develop transferable skills that will serve them long beyond their time here at Clemson.
This program also offers studentathletes hands-on experience with professionals, better preparing them for careers after Clemson. With the development and partnership between One Clemson, UPIC provides competitive wages and a distinct advantage when entering the job market. Time and research have shown that employers often prefer a candidate with internship experience when evaluating
two equally qualified applicants, highlighting the significance of this program. One Clemson has played a pivotal role in supporting UPIC’s growth. In recent years, their generous contributions have made a significant impact by funding the UPIC Beyond the Game internship program and creating numerous opportunities for Clemson student-athletes.
Women’s Track & Field studentathlete Kendra Dye described the skills she developed during her summer internship in the Office of Operational Resilience:
“I truly enjoyed my experience with UPIC over the summer. I got to know more about what the Office of Operational Resilience does during my internship, and I loved that I got to work in a different way, where I was able to improve my skill set while getting to know my mentor and others in the office. I know this will help me in the future.”
The UPIC internship program is unique in that it allows student-athletes to apply the knowledge they have gained from their respective sports to a professional work setting. These interns learn how various departments operate and hone skills like communication, flexibility, and teamwork while collaborating with mentors and professionals. Although every student’s experience is different and reflects the department they worked in and the responsibilities they took on, all of them gain from organized instruction combined with practical know-how that will eventually help them get ready for their future jobs.
For some internships, studentathletes can work directly in athletics. Rowing student Jane Upmeyer interned with Olympic Sports Nutrition, gaining hands-on practice that supports Clemson’s Athletes.
“This past summer, I was grateful for the opportunity to work as a UPIC intern for Olympic Sports Nutrition. I was able to learn from and work alongside dietitians every day. From restocking fueling stations and unloading food orders to assisting with body composition and hydration testing, I was fully immersed in the operations it takes to fuel Clemson’s athletes. I enjoyed being part of problem-solving conversations and coming up with ideas for the new facility. I left the experience with hands-on skills that will support my future career as a dietitian and with a deeper appreciation for all the
work our dietitians do to support their teams.”
In addition to the day-to-day work, each internship includes a five-stage professional development curriculum. These sessions are designed to help student-athletes identify transferable skills, reflect on their growth, and present them to future employers. Skills such as communication, problemsolving, teamwork, and adaptability are all prevalent traits that are found both in professional settings and athletics.
The UPIC program’s influence goes well beyond resume construction. These interns can acquire confidence, guidance, and greater knowledge of attainable career pathways. In addition to their academic and athletic achievements, these student-athletes
will graduate with the expertise and background necessary to thrive in any professional setting, thanks to the combination of paid professional training and focused skill development. The UPIC program demonstrates the discipline, time management, and perseverance that define these studentathletes’ lifestyles, while providing a pathway to transfer those qualities into tangible professional skills. For Clemson student-athletes, UPIC serves as the critical bridge between the classroom, the playing field, and the professional world, preparing them for life after athletics as well as the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in any career path they choose.
NEW IPTAY STAFF
IPTAY welcomes new staff members Cooper Gaskins and Tyler Nelson.
BY: GABE SMITH
IPTAY is excited to announce that we have added two talented professionals to our staff as we head into this exciting athletic season.
COOPER GASKINS - Assistant Director of Premium Hospitality and Events
Starting on September 3, 2025, Cooper Gaskins joined IPTAY as the Assistant Director of Premium Hospitality and Events. He will be helping lead game day premium seating operations at Memorial Stadium, Littlejohn Coliseum, and Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Cooper is a Charleston, S.C. native and a Clemson graduate who brings first-hand experience to IPTAY, having worked as a student employee on the Tiger Team game day staff and as a ticket office intern for two years. He has spent the past year as an account executive with the Hub City Spartan Burgers minor League Baseball team and is excited to return to Clemson.
“IPTAY is thrilled to welcome Cooper to our team,” said IPTAY CEO Davis
Babb. “Already having experience working in our premium spaces, we have no doubt he will make an immediate impact and help our Hospitality team continue providing premier service to members and premium seat holders on gamedays.”
Cooper’s excited about returning to Clemson and connecting with IPTAY members throughout the athletic year.
TYLER NELSON – Assistant Director of Development & Member Services
Tyler joined IPTAY on August 12, 2025, and will serve an Assistant Director of Development and Member Services, primarily focusing on enhancing revenue and assisting IPTAY members with accounts, tickets, and parking.
Tyler is originally from East Lansing, Mich., where he graduated in 2024 from Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in advertising management while also minoring in sports business. He brings valuable experience from his time as a
development assistant for the Spartan Fund and as a marketing intern for Michigan State Athletics for over three years.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Tyler to the IPTAY team,” said Davis Babb. “The Development and Member Services team is incredibly valuable to our organization, and we look forward to the contributions Tyler will bring as our organization continues to grow.”
Since Tyler’s arrival, he has jumped right into football season, hitting the ground running and connecting with members of our Clemson Family, becoming an active part of the community during this football season.
IPTAY is proud to welcome Cooper and Tyler and looks forward to the expertise, enthusiasm, and energy that they will bring to the Clemson Family and our organization.
COOPER GASKINS
Assistant Director of Premium Hospitality and Events
TYLER NELSON
Assistant Director of Development & Member Services
SHOW YOUR TIGER PRIDE
IPTAY Unveils 2026 Credential Packet
For more than 90 years, IPTAY has supported Clemson Tiger studentathlete success! That success is propelled by IPTAY donors who, year in and year out, decide to join the team behind our Tigers. Here at IPTAY, we are grateful for the unwavering support and the pride donors have in their annual donation and membership. That pride often exudes passion publicly displayed
365 days a year through the yearly IPTAY credential packet.
The credential packet is mailed to donors at every level throughout the year in appreciation and acknowledgment of their donation. Included are the coveted IPTAY decals that adorn cars, notebooks, coolers, and more across the Clemson Family. Also enclosed is the annual membership card,
return address labels, compliance, Clemson+ and IPTAY discount program information, gift acknowledgment letter and an annual gift!
For the IPTAY 2026 year, which began on July 1, 2025, IPTAY is excited to reveal the annual gifts that will be sent to donors as they join throughout
or Clemson room. The iconic font that adorns our Tigers’ baseball and softball jerseys is sure to be the perfect touch of Tiger pride to any space.
The IPTAY team is excited for the IPTAY 2026 year, and all that lies ahead for our Tiger student-athletes in the coming weeks and months. Again, their success would not be possible without the philanthropic gifts of more than 22,000 donors across the Clemson Family. Supporting IPTAY is a game-changer for Clemson Athletics. It
IPTAY NOTEPAD
Leaving a note for a guest or co-worker? Writing down your weekly shopping list? Why not show your love for the Tigers while doing it all?! This perfectly sized notepad is the perfect addition to the “everything” drawer in your kitchen or the top drawer of your office desk.
provides funding that directly supports student-athlete scholarships, new and updated facilities, the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, strength & conditioning, nutrition services and more. We hope new and long-time donors alike find ways to proudly display these items in support of IPTAY and the Clemson Tigers.
Run errands around town or head to the big game in style with this IPTAY license plate frame. The frame is the perfect touch of orange to your vehicle as you show your support of Clemson Athletics seven days a week and 365 days a year!
When making your giving decision this year, please know that the IPTAY staff is here to help you. Email us at iptay@clemson.edu, pick up the phone and dial 1-800-CLEMSON, or simply stop by the office at 1 Avenue of Champions, and a team member will be happy to assist you. Go Tigers!
IPTAY STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
Meet the students who make up the 2025-26 IPTAY Student Advisory Board.
2025 - 2026
The IPTAY Student Advisory Board (ISAB) consists of a group of students that serve as a liaison between IPTAY/Clemson Athletics and the greater student body. These students go through a rigorous application and interview process to land a small number of open seats available on the Board each year. Last year, over 150 applications were received for nine open positions.
ISAB’s focus each year is on IPTAY Collegiate Club membership, engagement, and helping shift current students to IPTAY Young Alumni membership at the time of graduation. Focus on membership benefits is another key area for ISAB students, especially around IPTAY Collegiate
Club exclusive events like Punt, Pass and Kick (at the Poe Indoor Football Facility), Collegiate Club Classic (on the floor of Littlejohn Coliseum), and Derby at the Doug (on the field of Doug Kingsmore Stadium.)
The group’s goals for the year included Collegiate Club membership surpassing 10,000 members for the first time, which was achieved before the first home football game of 2025. For reference, last year’s final membership number was 9,789 student members. A mark that was of the largest of its kind in the nation. ISAB continues to focus on growing the following of the IPTAYCC Instagram page and received 2,000 new followers during Clemson’s Welcome Week.
This year’s Board is led by an executive team of all seniors: President Davan McHale, Vice President Carter Parise, and Secretray Caroline Howard. Collectively, they bring eight years of ISAB experience alongside an impressive leadership group of five committee chairs who have at least served ISAB one year each, along with eight additional returners, and nine new members.
As the year continues, more exciting milestones are in store for this group of student leaders. To keep up with ISAB and IPTAY Collegiate Club progress, follow IPTAY Collegiate Club on Instagram (@IPTAYCC) and see additional updates in future additions of Orange: The Experience.
DAVAN McHALE PRESIDENT River Edge, N.J. | Senior | Marketing
CARTER PARISE VICE PRESIDENT Kennett Square, Pa. | Senior | Marketing
CAROLINE HOWARD SECRETARY Nashville, Tenn. | Senior | Health Sciences
LUKE DAWKINS EVENTS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR Anderson, S.C. | Senior
LINDSAY JOHNSON EVENTS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR Lexington, S.C. | Junior
REAGAN KEYS MEMBER ENGAGEMENT CHAIR Seneca, S.C. | Junior
ERIC SELQUIST SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE CHAIR Madison, N.J. | Junior
SHAW ASHLEY North Myrtle Beach, S.C. | Sophomore
HATTIE BALDOCK Tonganoxie, Kan. | Senior
LYDIA BRANHAM Easley, S.C. | Junior
JOSH BURNS Greenville, S.C. | Junior
GARRISON DULL Denver, N.C. | Sophomore
ZACH FREEMAN Fayetteville, Ark. | Senior
JACK HILL Sparta, N.J. | Junior
ALLY JONES Anderson, S.C. | Sophomore
SABRINA LoRUSSO Oyster Bay, N.Y. | Junior
ELENA MARKATOS Barnegat, N.J. | Junior
IZZY RAYBURN Center Moriches, N.Y. | Sophomore
STEPHEN REBAR Philadelphia, Pa. | Junior
GB STALNAKER Dallas, Texas | Sophomore
PAYTON STARNES New Smyrna Beach, Fla. | Sophomore
ALEX TILYOU Westfield, N.J. | Junior
JACKSON WILKIE Atlanta, Ga. | Junior
BRADY YOUNG Clarksville, Md. | Junior
FROM THE IPTAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As I write to you for the first time as President of the IPTAY Board of Directors, I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve this organization and its mission of supporting every Clemson studentathlete. Over the past nine years on the Board, I have witnessed the remarkable impact IPTAY has had on thousands of young men and women, and I am proud to be part of this work.
I would like to thank Billy Milam for his outstanding leadership during his two-year term as President. He guided this Board with vision and steadiness through a time of great change in college athletics. We are fortunate to continue benefiting from his counsel and friendship as a member of the Board.
As we close the IPTAY 2025 fiscal year, I want to again thank you for your generosity. The support you provide our student-athletes is extraordinary, and it is only possible because of you.
At our August Board meeting, I was reminded of the impact your donation carries. We had the opportunity to hear from Aitana Tusta of women’s
golf. She is the first Clemson Women’s Golf student-athlete from Peru, where there are just seven golf courses in the country. Hearing about her journey, her visit to Clemson, and the resources that she has been provided was remarkable. Aitana, a dynamic speaker, conveyed her gratitude for her opportunity to be at Clemson. She told us that without IPTAY support, competing and receiving an education at Clemson likely would not have been a reality.
You see, we have the opportunity to hear from student-athletes frequently. Each sharing stories like that of Aitana. It’s when you hear these stories and first-hand experiences that you are reminded of the impact that we continue to make. The opportunity to make dreams come true, the opportunity to receive a world-class education and athletic experience, the opportunity for someone to experience what we all know is special – Clemson.
With the House Case settlement, the number of scholarships offered has increased, and IPTAY is committed to this growing expense. Scholarships have always been the core of IPTAY’s
mission. These adjustments will allow Clemson Athletics to approach scholarship deregulation aggressively and fully support the continued growth of athletics at Clemson.
I hope you will keep in mind the impact that your gift has when you are considering giving opportunities this year and into the future. As support from IPTAY expands, IPTAY membership remains a critical part of the Clemson Athletic enterprise. I hope that you will encourage those around you to become members as well. What makes IPTAY and Clemson Athletics special is the idea of a lot of people coming together for one common goal. A true reflection of the Clemson Family.
I look forward to sharing more with you over the next two years, and on behalf of the IPTAY Board of Directors, I thank you for what you do. The Clemson experience is made possible for hundreds of student-athletes each year because of what you do.
RETT RUTLAND PRESIDENT, IPTAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IPTAY MEMORIALS
In loving memory of kind, generous, and dedicated IPTAY members.
Name: Margaret Hawkins Passed: November 23, 2024.
Years of Membership: 37
Name: James Cooley Passed: November 25, 2024. Years of Membership: 44
Name: Joel Smith Passed: December 19, 2024
Years of Membership: 53
Name: Jack Meadows, Jr. Passed: December 26, 2024. Years of Membership: 38
Name: David A. Gray Passed: January 27th.
Name: Ray Hutchins Passed: February 2nd.
Name: Ralph King Jr. Passed: February 19th.
Name: Jack Shaw Passed: February 19th.
Name: Marshall Mason Passed: February 24th.
Name: Charlie W Timmerman Passed: February 25th.
Name: Tony Stapleton Passed: March 4th.
Name: Margaret Graves Passed: March 7th.
Name: Patty Craig Passed: March 8th.
Name: Virginia Atkinson Passed: March 24th.
Name: Mitchel Rogers Passed: April 2nd.
Name: Robert O’Quinn Passed: April 6th.
Name: Ellis Davis Passed: April 8th.
Name: Connie Carlisle Passed: April 15th.
Name: John Blackmon, Jr. Passed: May 10th.
Name: Malcom Thruston Passed: May 14th.
Name: Charles Tabor Passed: May 16th.
Name: Amy Ely Passed: May 19th.
Name: Jeanne Brown Passed: May 20th.
Name: Jeanne Fowler Passed: June 20th.
Name: Drew Weeks Passed: June 20th.
Name: Franklin Harsell Passed: July 10th.
Name: Paul Zielinski Passed: July 13th.
Name: William Beckwith Passed: July 21st.
Name: B.R. Skelton Passed: July 25th.
Name: Peter Andreozzi Passed: July 26th.
Name: George Skelly, Jr. Passed: July 26th.
Name: Lloyd Monroe Passed: May 10th.
Name: Barry Richards Passed: May 14th.
Name: Earl Curch, Jr. Passed: May 27th.
Years of Membership: 55
Years of Membership: 42
Years of Membership: 62
Years of Membership: 52
Years of Membership: 52
Years of Membership: 56
Years of Membership: 47
Years of Membership: 49
Years of Membership: 71
Years of Membership: 64
Years of Membership: 17
Years of Membership: 60
Years of Membership: 41
Years of Membership: 49
Years of Membership: 46
Years of Membership: 55
Years of Membership: 40
Years of Membership: 33
Years of Membership: 2
Years of Membership: 56
Years of Membership: 74
Years of Membership: 56
Years of Membership: 74
Years of Membership: 56
Years of Membership: 55
Years of Membership: 19
Years of Membership: 32
Years of Membership: 48
Years of Membership: 42
Years of Membership: 19
1. Roy Bowers (‘78) and wife Sandra sharing the Tiger Rag at Urquhart Castle at Loch Ness in Scotland, April 2025.
2. Jackson Edwars and Holman Blake traveled to Europe and visited La Sagrada Familia Church
4. Sam (‘82) and Tamie (‘84) Herin celebrating their 40th anniversary in Oslo, Norway (The Tiger City). June 2024.
5. Doyle Carr (‘21), Judy Carr, Elizbeth, Mike, Teresa, and Matt Kunkel, Deb Carr (‘94), and Sherri Marie Carr (‘98) at a Clemson Football game.
6. The Tiger made a guest appearance to celebrate the Phillips wedding on May 17, 2025. Go Tigers!
7. Larry, Janice, and Weldon Deas supporting Clemson along with a Maasai chief and part of his family in Tanzania, Africa.
8. Kem (‘78) and Emily (‘79) Lunn, Sandy and John Wood (‘78) in Killarney, Ireland.
9. Bobbi Curry and friends showing Clemson pride at the Arctic Circle.
10. Roger & Janet Greiner at the Black Sea in Constanta, Romania.
11. Chip Tinsley (‘85, ‘93 MEd) and wife Renee representing Clemson on a trip to Europe, in Budapest, Hungary. Chip is a Greenwood County IPTAY REP and on the board of the Greenwood County Clemson Club.
12. Ella Kutsherenko (‘27) and Tommy Welsh ski the slopes with family at heavenly Lake Tahoe, Calif.
13. John Herczogh (‘93) and wife Lee Katherine stand in front of the two volcanic spires called the “Pitons,” famous in St. Lucia.
14. Cate Wells, granddaughter of Carroll Sexton (‘72). Cate, a freshman at Clemson this fall, was on a mission trip to Peru.
To access this issue of ORANGE: The Experience digitally, visit ClemsonPlus. com. Log in or activate your free account today!
GEORGE BENNETT
LAST WORD
When George Bennett needed some help transporting family members from Nashville, Tenn., to Houston, Texas, for his son Jeff’s wedding in 1985, he 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, came to the rescue by not only letting Bennett borrow his concert tour bus but also instructing 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 of that bus on that trip,” 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 how much Bennett meant to Clemson during a meeting with the media in August after Swinney visited Bennett when 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 who have been around Clemson for a long time know his impact. 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.
Bennett moved to the athletic department four years later as an assistant athletic director. In that capacity, he became involved in fundraising. 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.
BY: TIM BOURRET
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, and 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 two-dollar bills down 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 two-dollar bills with them,” Bennett said.
Clemson fans responded and still 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 Furman University. Two years later, Furman won the Division I-AA Football National Championship, which 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 in June of 2004.
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.
I would be hard-pressed to think of any administrator who has had a longerlasting positive impact on Clemson Athletics than George Bennett.
Stronger women. Stronger defense.
Behind every winning team is a strong defense, and your health is no different. Prisma Health is here to back you up with complete breast health services: from mammograms and genetic testing to advanced treatment and survivorship support.
Women age 40+ are encouraged to schedule yearly mammograms, one of the best ways to defend your health.
Take charge of your breast health today at Prisma.Health/BreastHealth
