Note: The following appears in the The Citadel gameday football program.
Fellow Tigers,
The 125th edition of Clemson football is here! I first want to thank each IPTAY donor for the support they provide to our nearly 500 student-athletes. We could not do what we do without you!
While the normal pageantry is different this year, we are excited about the positive steps forward we have taken. Coach Swinney and his Tigers have been hard at work in preparation of defending their ACC title, and we look forward to watching the season unfold.
At IPTAY, our staff was busy over the summer navigating the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a year that has been far from normal, we are excited that our student-athletes are safely returning to athletic competition and we can welcome limited fans to campus.
We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by all our donors as we worked through these unprecedented challenges. For those who kept your donation with us for the IPTAY 2020 year, we are extremely grateful. Those dollars are critical to providing the necessary support to our student-athletes.
For those who do not know, dollars given to IPTAY go to supporting student-athlete scholarships, new and upgraded facilities, Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, strength & conditioning, nutrition services and more.
On July 1, we began the IPTAY 2021 year. If you are not already a member, now is a great time to join the IPTAY team. We would love to have you join our ranks and be a part of the “Power Behind The Paw.”
Every donation, regardless of its size, makes a difference in the lives of our student-athletes. Giving levels start at just $60 dollars and come with a host of benefits. For complete information on joining and giving levels, visit us online at ClemsonTigers.com/IPTAY.
Something I always find very rewarding is hearing how IPTAY support is making an impact in the lives of our young people. With that said, I want to share a note from Logan Caymol, who is an outstanding member of our softball team.
“Having multiple generations in my family attend this great university, I have been dressed in orange and purple for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was familiar with IPTAY, but I never imagined it would change my life the way it has. I am beyond grateful that IPTAY has provided me with the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a Clemson student-athlete.
“Because of the generosity of IPTAY and its donors, I have been able to join multiple programs, including CCOA (Clemson Community Outreach Ambassadors), and have many support systems at Nieri Family Student-Athlete Center.
“I’d like to sincerely thank all of the IPTAY donors for the opportunities you have provided for not only myself, but also for my teammates and all Clemson student-athletes.”
The impact that IPTAY donors make is remarkable. The generosity by so many is what makes Clemson special and provides our student-athletes with a world-class college experience.
Again, thank you to all our IPTAY donors! We look forward to all that lies ahead this year for our student-athletes. They are adjusting to our current “normal” and are hard at work preparing to be champions in the classroom and in competition.
If our team at IPTAY can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Stay safe and go Tigers!
Davis Babb
CEO, IPTAY
