From the Desk of Dan Radakovich – Oct. 9, 2013

Hello Tiger fans!

Congratulations to the football team for improving to 5-0 after Saturday’s 49-14 win at Syracuse.  It was a unique environment in the Carrier Dome.  Syracuse is a great addition to the Atlantic Coast Conference.  With annual trips to Boston and Syracuse, and depending upon the schedule each year, Clemson fans could have a chance to enjoy two great views of the fall colors – not only here in Clemson come late October, but also in the Northeast.

On Thursday of last week, I attended Bill McLellan’s funeral in Greenville.  I had a chance to see his wife, Ann, sons Bill, Jr. and Cliff, and daughters Suzy and Arch Anna.  Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.  Bill was a Clemson man through and through, and we’re grateful for his vision and work at Clemson University.

In keeping with things he was known for 30 years ago, we continue to strive to provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans with the best facilities.  We will finalize some of our short, medium and long-term facility plans at the next Board of Trustees meeting on October 17-18.  We will present the plans to the board, and we look forward to soon talking to the Clemson family about them once we clear this next milestone.

Last week, I attended an ACC meeting in Raleigh.  Commissioner Swofford went through his plan as it relates to NCAA restructuring.  A large portion of our meeting was dedicated to the pros and cons of that plan.  Much of this will be discussed further when the NCAA Board of Directors meets in October, and then substantively in January of next year at the NCAA Convention.  From an athletic director’s perspective, we are united in our belief that the views of the practitioners need to be more relevant moving forward.

The Clemson Hall of Fame ceremonies will take place this weekend.  Bill D’Andrea has done a great job leading the charge in this area for us.  We will welcome another stellar class this weekend, including Brentson Buckner, Michelle Burgher, Cliff Ellis, Terrence Flagler, Chrissy Floyd, Robin Kibben, Matthew LeCroy, Cydonie Mothersill, Julius Ogaro and Ray Williams.  Limited tickets are still available (LINK) for the Friday ceremony that will take place at the Brooks Center.

We hope those of you who are in town for the Florida State football game next Saturday will make arrangements to enjoy all that Clemson Athletics has to offer leading up to that event.  Women’s soccer is at home on Thursday, Oct. 17.  On Friday, Oct. 18 we have men’s soccer and volleyball with matches starting at 6:00.  Your Friday experience should culminate with our annual tipoff to men’s and women’s basketball at Rock the ‘John, free of charge.  Fans will have an opportunity to learn about our teams starting at 8:00, with an autograph session with coaches and players to follow the event.

I would like to address some of the feedback we have received from your gameday experiences.  After the Georgia game, we learned of some disappointments concerning the restroom facilities around campus.  We made significant strides in this area, so much so that we received complimentary correspondence after the Wake Forest game.  That speaks to two factors.  One, the sheer magnitude of the Georgia game was unprecedented.  Number two; our people understand that we listen.  Van Hilderbrand and his staff did a great job of putting up signs to mark walking distances to the nearest public restrooms, and also increased the number of portables as well.  We have also trimmed some trees to improve lighting around the stadium for our next night game.

And finally, I wanted to pass along a sad note.  Our Assistant Business Manager and longtime Clemson Athletics employee Sharon Littlejohn lost her son, Jonathan Irvin, in a motorcycle accident on Saturday evening in Charleston.  Please keep Sharon and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

If you would like to share anything about your experiences at Clemson, visit the following address (LINK).  While we cannot respond to every email that is received, please know they will all be read and your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Dan Radakovich