CLEMSON, SC – IPTAY CEO Davis Babb announced that he will retire from his position at the end of the IPTAY 2026 Fiscal Year, June 30, 2026. Babb has served in this capacity since 2013, when he came to Clemson and became the organization’s first CEO under the current structure.Babb’s tenure as CEO has helped IPTAY grow to new heights with significant increases annually in annual giving, major gifts, the addition of premium seating, facility growth and expansion, and increased support provided to Clemson Athletics and the hundreds of student-athletes that IPTAY supports.
“I am incredibly grateful to have been welcomed into the Clemson Family and to serve this organization since 2013,” said Davis Babb. “I am thankful for the trust the IPTAY Board of Directors instilled in me to help guide this organization over the last 13 years. I am proud of what has been accomplished during this time and would like to extend my gratitude to each IPTAY member who has been an integral part of this team for many years. Clemson is a special place because of the people, and the success of Clemson Athletics depends on the support of each of these individuals.”
During Babb’s time at Clemson, he helped implement the Athletic Cornerstone Partner Program, which was formed to focus on growing the athletic endowment. Beginning in 2015, the Cornerstone program now has 28 donors who have made 36 gifts of $2.5M or more totaling more than $165 million. This program has helped change the trajectory of Clemson Athletics.
In 2013, the IPTAY organization raised $26.6 million. In the most recent fiscal year, ending June 30, 2025, the One IPTAY enterprise totaled $88.09 million. During Babb’s oversight of the IPTAY organization, the Clemson Athletic fundraising arm has totaled over $888M in contributions to support Clemson Athletics.
Since Babb’s first year at IPTAY, the IPTAY Annual Fund total giving has doubled, major gift annual totals have continually increased, and the IPTAY organization has grown exponentially. In this time, Clemson has won National Championships, multiple ACC Championships, set records in the classroom with team GPAs and APR scores, started four new athletic programs, and built or renovated over 15 facilities.
“Davis Babb has provided incredible leadership for IPTAY and has been a trusted partner for the past 13 years, which has been transformational for Clemson,” said Director of Athletics Graham Neff. “Davis’s love of Clemson and willingness to adapt and modernize has made a major impact on the student-athlete experience, donor engagement, academic accomplishment, and health and wellness. We are so appreciative of Davis and Anne and their family, and wish them all the best in the future.”
“I thank our Director of Athletics, Graham Neff, for his continued support of IPTAY,” said Babb. “His leadership has continued to guide Clemson Athletics and IPTAY’s support to unprecedented levels. The Clemson Athletic and IPTAY relationship remains strong, and I know that Graham’s commitment to IPTAY will continue to prove valuable during the search for IPTAY’s next leader.”
“Davis’s leadership has continued to elevate IPTAY as a leader in the collegiate athletic fundraising space,” said IPTAY Board of Directors President Rett Rutland. “We thank Davis for his leadership since 2013, and I look forward to continuing to work with Davis throughout this transition and beyond.”
IPTAY will engage with Parker Executive Search to find the organization’s next CEO.
