By Davis Simpson
THE 10 MEMBERS OF THE CLEMSON ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME WILL BE INDUCTED THIS WEEKEND AND JOIN THE 249 TIGERS ALREADY IN CLEMSON’S PRESTIGIOUS CLUB.
Gaines AdamsFootball – 2002-06Gaines Adams was a defensive end on the Tiger football team from 2002-06. In 2006, he became just the second Tiger in history to be a unanimous All-American. Adams was a first-team All-American by Football Writers, AP, Football Coaches, Walter Camp Foundation, and Sporting News, all of the major services that year.
He was drafted #4 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2007 NFL draft, which is tied for the highest draft pick in school history. Adams graduated in December of 2006 with a degree in sport management, making him one of just two players in 2006 to be a consensus first-team All-American, college graduate, and first-round draft pick.
Adams tied the school record for career sacks (28) after tallying an ACC-best 12.5 sacks in 2006. His 12.5 sacks are still third-most in Clemson history and are the most in a season by a Tiger senior. He also set the school record with eight consecutive games with at least one sack.
Adams was named ACC Defensive Player-of-the-Year, finished second in ACC Player-of-the-Year voting, and was named First-Team All-ACC in 2006 as well.
Perhaps his most memorable play as a Tiger came at Wake Forest in 2006. On the first play of the fourth quarter with Clemson trailing 17-3, Adams returned a fumble on a botched field-goal attempt 66 yards for a touchdown, which sparked Clemson to a 27-17 win. It was named the Pontiac Game-Changing Play-of-the-Week and was a finalist for play-of-the-year.
Adams went on to play three seasons in the NFL from 2007-09 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears. In those three seasons, he recorded 93 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.The Greenwood, SC native died in January of 2010 after suffering a heart attack.
Deliah ArringtonWomen’s Soccer – 1999-02Deliah Arrington (1999-02) was one of the greatest women’s soccer players to don a Clemson uniform.
As a freshman in 1999, she played 22 games (15 starts). She totaled 58 shots, nine goals, and seven assists, as she was named a freshman All-American by Soccer Buzz. Clemson advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight that season and finished ranked #6 in the nation.
In 2000, Arrington took 106 shots, with 12 resulting in goals, including six game-winning goals, and 10 assists. She was named ACC Player-of-the-Year, second-team All-American by NCSAA, and third-team All-American by Soccer Buzz. She led Clemson to an ACC Regular-Season Championship, another NCAA Elite Eight appearance, and a #5 final ranking. It is Clemson’s only ACC regular-season title in women’s soccer.
In 2001, she played 19 games (15 starts), took 44 shots, accumulated 11 goals, and had three assists. The squad advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and was ranked #11 in the final poll.
Then in 2002, Arrington started all 22 games as a senior. She took 99 shots and tallied an ACC-high 18 goals, five game-winning goals, and seven assists. Clemson made its ninth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament in the program’s ninth season.
Arrington was named ACC Player-of-the-Year, All-ACC Tournament, and a strength All-American in 2002. She was named second-team All-American according to NCSAA and third-team All-American by Soccer Buzz that year.
In her career, she amassed 50 goals and 127 points, both school records that stand today. She was also named First-Team All-ACC in each of her final three years.
Her father, Vandell Arrington, played cornerback on Clemson’s 1981 National Championship football team.
Julie CoinWomen’s Tennis – 2002-05Julie Coin is one of the most decorated female athletes in school history. During her time at Clemson from 2002-05, she earned three All-America honors, two in singles and one in doubles.
In 2003, Coin was named ITA Southeast Region Player-to-Watch before the season. She went on to be the 2003 ITA Southeast Region doubles champion and earned All-ACC honors.
In 2004, she was again named ITA Southeast Region Player-to-Watch. She went on to win two individual ACC Championships that season, one in singles and one in doubles. She also led the Tigers to an ACC Championship and was named All-ACC.
Coin advanced to the NCAA Final Four in singles that year and led the team to an NCAA Final Four appearance, a first in school history. In addition, she finished the season as the #8-ranked player in the country in the final ITA poll.
The following year in 2005, Coin advanced to the Elite Eight in singles and once again led the team to an NCAA Final Four appearance. She was named an All-American in both singles and doubles and finished the season as the #2-ranked player in the ITA poll, the highest ranking of her career.
She finished her career with a 101-20 singles record, which is in the top 10 in school history and makes her one of just seven players in school history to have at least 100 wins. Coin also has the best set winning percentage (84.1) by a senior in school history.
Coin turned professional in 2005 following her senior campaign and is still competing today. Perhaps her most famous professional victory came in 2008 at the U.S. Open when she defeated Ana Ivanovic, the top-ranked WTA player in the world at the time.
Sarah CooperRowing – 2004-07Sarah Cooper (2004-07) concluded her Clemson career as one of the school’s most successful rowers. Cooper earned a pair of All-America honors, one of only four rowers in Clemson history to earn such recognition.
In 2005, Cooper earned All-ACC honors and helped lead the Varsity 8+ to a second-place finish at the ACC Championships.
The following season in 2006, she was selected as a first-team All-American, an all-region member, and an All-ACC performer.
As a senior, she led the Tigers to a second-place ACC finish and a fifth-place finish in the South Region. Cooper was a part of the Tigers’ Varsity 8+ squad that earned two ACC Crew-of-the-Week honors in 2007.
She also guided the first varsity 8+ to a #12 national ranking following a win over Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. It marked the highest top-25 ranking for the program.
As a two-time all-region performer, Cooper was one of only five student-athletes in Clemson history to earn multiple all-region selections. She also has the most All-ACC team selections (3) in school history.
Due to her collegiate success, Cooper earned an invitation to the Princeton 4- camp to compete for a spot on the women’s four that represented the United States at the 2007 FISA World Championships.
Cooper was a two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll before she graduated from Clemson with an English degree in May of 2007.
The native of Westminster, SC lettered all four seasons at Clemson, putting her in a select group of rowers to do so at the time.
Karen Ann JenkinsWomen’s Basketball – 1985-89Karen Ann Jenkins was a member of the Lady Tiger basketball team from 1985-89. She averaged 13.6 points per game in her career and is sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list (1,514). Jenkins also finished her career with a 53.8 field-goal percentage, second-highest in school history.
Jenkins registered 687 career rebounds, ninth-most in school history. Her 1,514 points and 687 rebounds make her one of 13 players in school history to total at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career.
Jenkins’ best year came in the 1986-87 season, when she averaged a team-high 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 34.4 minutes per game.
In 1987-88, she led the Tigers again in scoring with 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Jenkins was tabbed with Second-Team All-ACC honors that season and made the American Women’s Sports Federation All-America team as an honorable mention selection.
She shot a career-best 72.4 percent from the free-throw line in 1987-88. The Lady Tigers went on to a #20 final national ranking and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
In her final season (1988-89) at Clemson, Jenkins averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest. That team went on to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a #13 final national ranking.
The native of Greenville, SC currently works at the Department of Social Services in Greenville as the Human Services Coordinator.
During last season, Jenkins was one of 44 Lady Tiger alumni who returned to Littlejohn Coliseum to take part in the alumni game.
Wojtek KrakowiakMen’s Soccer – 1997,98Wojtek Krakowiak was not only one of the greatest soccer players in Clemson history, but in ACC history as well. In 2002, Krakowiak was one of 13 Clemson players named to the 55-man ACC 50-Year Anniversary men’s soccer team.
As a junior in 1997 after transferring from Saint John’s, he led the Tigers in scoring with 11 goals, including four game-winning goals, and five assists for a total of 27 points. He was named Second-Team All-South by NSCAA. The team advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight and finished the season ranked #12.
In 1998, Krakowiak led the nation in scoring. He scored an ACC and NCAA-best 31 goals on 82 shots and added eight assists for an ACC-high 70 points. He also managed four “hat tricks” in 1998. His 31 goals that season were third-most in school history as well.
He led Clemson to a 22-2 record, an ACC Championship, and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance. The Tigers finished the 1998 season with a #1 national ranking.
Krakowiak was the consensus National Player-of-the-Year in 1998 after earning player-of the-year honors from Soccer America, Soccer Times, and College Soccer Weekly. He also took home the Hermann Award, given annually to the nation’s best men’s soccer player. Krakowiak was named ACC Player-of-the-Year and First-Team All-ACC as well.
Despite playing just two seasons for the Tigers, he finished his career 11th in school history in career goals (42) and 15th in career points (97).
Krakowiak was drafted #15 overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft by the San Jose Crash. He played just one season before injuries ended his career.
The Clifton, NJ native is in his second season as the head women’s soccer coach at Montana State Billings.
Billy McMillonBaseball – 1991-93Billy McMillon played on the Tiger baseball team for fellow inductee Bill Wilhelm from 1991-93. His career .381 batting average was third-best in school history at the end of his career and is currently fourth behind his former teammate and fellow Major Leaguer Shane Monahan. It also is 20th in ACC history.
In 1991, McMillon led the ACC in batting (.391) and was a First-Team All-ACC selection as a first-year freshman. He was also named first-team all-region by ABCA and first-team freshman All-American by Baseball America. The Tigers tallied 60 wins that season, captured an ACC Championship, and advanced to the College World Series.
McMillon set the Clemson record for batting average by a freshman (.391) that season, breaking Bill Spiers’ mark of .380. He also set freshman records in seven other statistical categories, several of which still stand today.
After battling a shoulder injury in the 1992 season, McMillon had another strong year in 1993. He hit .377 with 21 doubles and five home runs to lead Clemson to another ACC title.
McMillon finished his career with 55 doubles, sixth-most in school history at the time.McMillon was drafted by the Marlins in the eighth round of the 1993 draft. He went on to play six seasons in the Majors for four different teams and finished his career with 149 hits and a .248 batting average in 269 games.
The native of Bishopville, SC is currently in his third season as a manager in the Red Sox’s minor-league system and his fifth season with the organization overall. He managed the nearby Greenville (SC) Drive in 2010 and 2011 before taking over as manager of the Salem (VA) Red Sox in 2012.
Stacy SeegarsFootball – 1990-93Stacy Seegars was a standout offensive guard for the Clemson football team from 1990-93, all under Head Coach Ken Hatfield. He accumulated a total of 2,457 snaps in his career, 17th-most in Clemson history.
In 1991, Seegars started all 12 games and played 808 snaps while recording 50 knockdown blocks. Clemson compiled a 9-2-1 record and a 6-0-1 conference ledger en route to an ACC Championship and an appearance in the Citrus Bowl against California.
The following year in 1992, Seegars doubled his knockdown blocks from the previous season by recording 103 in 788 snaps.
His 103 knockdown blocks tied a Clemson single-season record. He was named First-Team All-ACC and AP Second-Team All-American that season. He was also named ACC Offensive Lineman-of-the-Week twice that year.
In 1993, Seegars was named a first-team All-American by AP, Walter Camp, Scripps-Howard, and Football News. He was also named First-Team All-ACC, ACC Offensive Lineman-of-the-Week on November 13, 1993, and was selected to the All-ACC Academic team.
Also in the 1993 season, he started all 12 games, played 789 snaps, and recorded 58 knockdown blocks. The Tigers finished the season with a 9-3 record, including a thrilling 14-13 victory over Kentucky in Peach Bowl.
Seegars finished his Clemson career with 213 knockdown blocks, making him one of just four Tigers in history to total over 200 career knockdown blocks at the time.
He averaged a staggering five knockdown blocks per game during his Tiger career. He also started the final 35 games in a Tiger uniform.
Bill WilhelmBaseball Coach – 1958-93Bill Wilhelm had one of the most decorated and successful careers in college baseball history as the head coach of the Tigers from 1958-93.
Wilhelm finished his remarkable career with 1,161 victories, which made him the fifth-winningest coach in college baseball history at the time of his retirement. He is currently tied for 18th on the all-time victories list as a head coach at a Division I school.
Wilhelm was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011 and the state of South Carolina Hall of Fame in 2012.
He spent his entire career as head coach at Clemson and never had a losing season during his 36 years at the helm. He took six teams to the College World Series and won 11 ACC Championships. He also compiled 16 top-25 seasons, 17 NCAA Regional appearances, and 19 ACC regular-season titles.
Wilhelm coached a total of 20 All-Americans and 27 players who went on to play in the Major Leagues during his tenure at Clemson. He also had 88 players selected First-Team All-ACC and 100 players who signed professional contracts.
Wilhelm’s most successful season in terms of victories came in the 1991 campaign, when the Tigers compiled a 60-10 record en route to an ACC regular-season title. Clemson went on to sweep the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Northeast Regional to earn a berth to the College World Series.
The 60 victories set the ACC record for wins in a season at the time, and only Florida State in 2002 has matched that 60-win mark. In addition, the Tigers’ 85.7 winning percentage still remains as the conference record.
Wilhelm passed away in 2010 in Seneca, SC at the age of 81.
Warren WilsonBaseball, Boxing, Football, Track – 1938-41Clemson fielded a boxing team from 1928-48, with a four-year interruption due to World War II. Despite only competing for 17 seasons, the Tiger boxing program was a successful one, winning eight individual SoCon Championships and two SoCon team titles (1938,40).
One of the program’s most successful boxers was Warren Wilson, who boxed for the Tigers from 1939-41. Wilson was part of a team championship in 1940, while he won the SoCon Heavyweight Championship in both 1940 and 1941.
In three years in the ring, Wilson had a career record of 14-4-1, including three wins by knockout and one by technical knockout. His 14 wins are second-most in Clemson history.Wilson was such a feared and revered boxer that some opponents would forfeit their match against him rather than face him. Once, Clemson was losing a match as the other Tiger fighters lost one bout after another.
During this, Wilson was warming up for his match and continued to hit the heavy bag harder and harder as Clemson continued to lose.
His opponent, though, heard his warmup session as his punches got louder and louder. So after hearing this, Wilson’s opponent decided to forfeit his heavyweight match.
Wilson turned professional after his senior season at Clemson, but due to World War II and an accident that he suffered before the war, he was forced to give up his aspirations of a professional career in boxing.
He once received a letter from former World Heavyweight Champion and boxing legend Jack Dempsey, telling Wilson that he would be the next heavyweight champion, because no boxer hit harder than him.
April 24, 2024
