Clemson Athletics Held Third Annual “Shop With a Coach” Wednesday

Dec. 14, 2007

GALLERY (courtesy of Mark Crammer)

Clemson, SC – The Clemson athletic department held its third annual “Shop With a Coach” event on Wednesday evening. Coaches and staff from a majority of Clemson’s athletic teams participated in helping local children shop for Christmas gifts at the Wal-Mart of Central.

The coaches and staff boarded a courtesy Champion Coach outside the Jervey Athletic Center and drove to Clemson Community Care, where children were ready and waiting for the Christmas shopping experience.

Each child received a $100 gift card, food and drink, a stocking and gift from Santa Claus, and a fruit basket. All of the gifts were courtesy of Central Wal-Mart. Each member of the Clemson staff was paired with a child to seek out gifts in the store.

The entire men’s basketball coaching staff participated in the event again this year, as well as Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips and University President James F. Barker. Trevor Adair (soccer), Charles Foster (men’s track & field), Nancy Harris (women’s tennis), Leslie Hasselbach (swimming & diving), Chris Ip (swimming & diving), Josh Langley (men’s track & field), Corrie McGrath (rowing), Larry Penley (golf), Bob Pollock (men’s track & field), Tom Riginos (baseball), Richard Ruggieri (rowing), and Todd Steelman (women’s basketball) also participated in the event. Each of the children provided by Clemson Community Care received three complimentary tickets to the men’s basketball game against Samford on December 29. The event was organized by Susan Ruark of the men’s basketball office.