Governing Policies for Election to the Hall of Fame

Governing Policies for Election to the Hall of Fame

The Tiger Letterwinners Association of Clemson University rules governing nomination and election to the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame.

I. Purpose:

These Rules set forth the categories of individuals who may be considered for induction into the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame (“Hall of Fame”), the qualifications required of such individuals for nomination and election to the Hall of Fame, and the procedure by which individuals shall be recommended, nominated and elected to the Hall of Fame.  This document also describes the organizational structure of the Tiger Letterwinners Association process for such election.

II. Standing Committees

• Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors – The Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors shall be comprised of former student-athletes who earned a letter in any sport at Clemson University. The President of the Association shall serve as Chair of the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors.
• Approval Committee – The Approval Committee shall be comprised of the following individuals:
  • President of Clemson University
  • Clemson University Director of Athletics
  • Executive Director of the Tiger Letterwinners Association
  • Faculty Representative to the NCAA

III. Inductee Eligibility

• Athletic Inductee – Any Clemson University former student-athlete, living or deceased, who received a varsity letter from the Clemson University Athletic Department shall be eligible for election to the Hall of Fame as an Athletic Inductee five (5) years after graduation from Clemson University or five (5) years after his/her Clemson athletic eligibility is exhausted. The requirement of graduation from Clemson University may be waived, under unusual circumstances, by a majority vote of the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors.
• Special Inductee – Any individual, living or deceased, who has made a significant contribution to the Clemson University athletic program shall be eligible for election to the Hall of Fame as a Special Inductee. Special Inductees include individuals who are not necessarily eligible as an Athletic Inductee. Eligibility as an Athletic Inductee shall not disqualify an individual for consideration as a Special Inductee.
• Qualifications – In order to qualify as a nominee for the Hall of Fame, an individual must have excelled either as an athlete or as a Special Inductee, and must have contributed significantly to the Clemson Athletic Department. In the case of former athletes, consideration will be given to whether the individual was selected to an All-Conference or All-American team, etc. as well as the individual’s performance records, leadership qualities, selection to post-season all-star teams, etc. Performance during post-season play will also be a consideration. Participation as a professional athlete will also be a consideration, but is not a requirement for Hall of Fame selection.

A Special Inductee should have represented the University well while a coach.  His/her athletes should have represented the University well and their conduct while at Clemson as well as the years that follow should meet the highest standards. 

No active coach or administrator at Clemson University may be inducted into the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame until their athletic career is finished.

IV. Nomination and Election Procedures

• Recommendation of Individuals to Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors – Any person may recommend individuals for consideration as a nominee. Each recommendation shall be accompanied by information regarding the achievements of the individual being recommended. Upon recommendation to the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors, the individual shall be placed on the List of Candidates to be maintained by the Executive Director of the Association.
• List of Candidates – The List of Candidates shall contain the names of all individuals recommended, and who remain eligible, for consideration as a nominee by the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors. The List of Candidates shall contain such other information considered to be relevant for consideration by the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors, including sport(s) and position(s) played, year of graduation, letters earned and notable achievements. If not selected by the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors within four (4) years after placement on the List of Candidates, an individual shall be removed from the List of Candidates; however, there shall be no limit to the number of times an individual may be recommended subsequently to the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors.
• Selection Process by Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors
  • The Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the Chair to discuss candidates and make nominations to the Hall of Fame
  • Number of Nominees Annually – The Tiger Letterwinners Board of directors may nominate as many as six (6) individuals in any one year
  • Vote Required by Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors – To be nominated by the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors as an Athlete Inductee or a Special Inductee, an individual must receive a majority of the votes of the members of the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors present at the annual meeting called for the purpose of considering nominees
  • Special Consideration – Currently, the Athletic Department sponsors nineteen (19) intercollegiate sports (10 women and 9 men). While it is not the intent of these Rules to establish quotas, the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors shall be sensitive to the number of male/female former athletes who are nominated in any year as well as the number of former athletes from each sport who are nominated in any year and over a given period of time
  • Approval of Nominees by Approval Committee – Upon nomination by the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors, the names of the nominees shall be referred to the Approval Committee for approval. To be elected to the Hall of Fame, a nominee must receive the votes of at least four (4) of the five (5) members of the Approval Committee.

V. Induction

Individuals nominated by the Tiger Letterwinners Board of Directors and approved by the Approval Committee shall be inducted into the Hall of Fame at an appropriate ceremony.  A plaque recognizing Inductees will be permanently displayed in an area designated by the Director of Athletics of Clemson University.

VI. Modification of Rules

Amendments and modifications to the rules may be made by a vote of approval of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the members of the Board of Directors present.  Graduation from Clemson is not a requirement for the Clemson Hall of Fame.