Hello Tiger fans!
As we approach the holidays, it makes me so proud seeing some of the things our student-athletes are doing to assist the local community. Last week, members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) provided food and wrapped gifts for local children in our McFadden Building. Later today, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams will do the same at the annual Tiger Wonderland event in Littlejohn Coliseum. With all the time demands our student-athletes face, it is amazing to see them give back during the holiday season.
We can’t thank you enough for communicating your desire to see the Tigers play in the 2014 Discover Orange Bowl. There is no doubt your emails, calls and tweets made a difference with the selection committee. We look forward to facing one of the premier programs in the country, and hope you can join us. As we announced on ClemsonTigers.com last week, ticket prices range from $50 to $225, and a myriad of benefits will go to those who purchase through the athletic ticket office. Check out this link for more information regarding ticket and travel packages and some of the events leading up to the game. We are about halfway to filling our allotment, so this week is important as we look to paint the town orange on Jan. 3.
Congratulations to all the student-athletes who will receive their degrees from Clemson on Thursday. This is the most important award our student-athletes can earn! One of those student-athletes, Brianna Rollins, has a busy week ahead as she is one of three finalists for The Bowerman, the highest honor awarded in collegiate track & field. The ceremony will take place Wednesday in Orlando, but she’ll be back in Clemson to receive her degree at Thursday’s commencement.
Several student-athletes from our fall sports have received All-America recognition. Congratulations to Vic Beasley and Sammy Watkins of the Tiger football team, and to Thomas McNamara of the men’s soccer team. Thomas was also an Academic All-American, only the second men’s soccer player in school history to earn both honors in the same season. All are to be commended for their efforts representing Clemson on the field of play this fall.
If you have the opportunity during the holiday season, check out the success of our basketball programs! Brad Brownell’s team is coming off one of the most dominant defensive performances in school history and has posted an 8-2 record heading into Thursday’s game at Auburn. In only her first season, Audra Smith’s women’s squad has a five-game winning streak for the first time in five years. They return to the court this week at the Duel in the Desert in Las Vegas.
This will be our last correspondence until 2014, so in closing a special thanks to the Clemson Family for a wonderful first year as your director of athletics. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, and a Happy New Year. See you all in Miami!
Go Tigers,
Dan Radakovich
December 10, 2024
