On the impact of Tiger Wonderland:
“I think it’s a great experience for the men’s and women’s basketball players and staff. We’re all blessed with a lot of wonderful opportunities and gifts, and to be able to spend a little time with some kids in the community who need some role models is a great opportunity for our players. We have a great time with them every year. My administrative assistant, Susan Ruark, does an unbelievable job of spearheading this. We have a great partnership with Clemson Community Care, and I think it’s a great reminder to all of us to be thankful and bestow a few blessings on others, too.”
On his players’ reactions to Tiger Wonderland:
“They like it. They have a good time with it. One of the things we really like about is that we pair a player with a child, and I think that makes it personal. So, for an hour and a half, they’re partnered up with that child, and they want to make sure they have a good time. They get to know the kids and talk with them and do arts and crafts, eat and dance together. To watch the kids open presents and just to see the joy on their faces is really good for our guys. It’s a great reminder, and I think it’s been a terrific event for many years now.”
On the importance of events like Tiger Wonderland to his program:
“As coaches, we talk to our players a lot about trying to have a full basketball experience, and we want to have a complete program. It’s not just about basketball with our players. We expect them to do well in school and graduate. We want them to understand that there’s a responsibility to give back to the community and be a great representative of Clemson. This is one of many things that our guys do in the community. Obviously, it comes at a perfect time for us: during the holidays and right toward the end of finals. I think our guys really enjoy this event about as much as anything we do, and, again, I think it’s great because they spend lots of individual, one-on-one time with kids.”
