Jan. 26, 2012
Most Clemson student athletes take part in community outreach. That’s no surprise. But the amount of time, dedication and energy that many devote is pretty astounding.
As a whole, Clemson athletes logged in nearly 3,600 hours of service during the 2010-11 school year. And a group of especially community-minded student athletes averaged nearly 109 hours per person!
More impressive than hours, however, is the number of people affected in a positive way by these energetic Tigers. Nearly 21,000 individuals – young, old and in between – benefited from volunteer projects by our student athletes last year. Now that calls for Tiger Pride.
Solid Orange Squad Most student-athlete service projects are coordinated through the Clemson Athletic Department’s Community Relations Office headed by Linda White and her Solid Orange Squad (SOS). SOS is made up of student athletes who’re passionate about giving back to the community. This group of more than 60 active individuals fills all community service requests that come through the Clemson Athletic Department. And there’s a lot – 130 just last year!
SOS is made up of a dozen student-athlete teams from different sports with a captain who oversees each team and serves as a liaison between it and the Community Relations Office. Last year the Solid Orange Squad, led by microbiology major and cross-country athlete Chad Holt, interacted with 69 elementary and middle schools.
How can SOS students be so productive with their obviously full schedules of classes, practice, athletic competitions, related travel and personal life?
They have a community-service game plan – a carefully developed strategy for leadership – called Be a T.I.G.E.R.! Character Education Program.
In fact, Clemson University has the first and only character education program among Division IA schools to guide student athletes in community outreach with children.
Click here to view the complete article and videos on www.clemson.edu.
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