Senior Spotlight

Nov. 22, 2000

By Marsha Byers Clemson Sports InformationThe South Carolina Game Program – November 18, 2000

Duane Goodine (DB) Duane Goodine is a reserve defensive back who plays an important part in the Clemson Football Program. He devotes many hours a week at practice helping prepare the Tigers for their next opponent.

He also shows this kind of dedication in the classroom, he will graduate in May with a Chemistry degree. Goodine credits a lot of his success to the academic program run by Bill D’Andrea at Vickery Hall.

“The tutors have helped me a lot over the years,” said Goodine. ” I would not have made it this far without their help. Upon graduation he plans to work in the Chemical Industry field.

Goodine is a 1996 graduate of West-Oak High School in Seneca, South Carolina where he played under Coach Scott Harley. He was a 1995 All-County and All-Region Defensive Back. Goodine also served as a Team Captain during his junior year. He lettered in football and track for three years. He joined the Tigers in January of 1998, after transferring from North Greenville College.

Finally, he would like to thank his mother and his family for their encouragement and support. They have frequented many of his games and supported the entire team while he was a Tiger.

Marcus Mauney (WR) Reverend Dr. Marcus Mauney, Sr. and Peal Mauney instilled great work ethic in their son Marcus Mauney, Jr., it is very evident at football practice everyday. His father played football at the University of West Virginia from 1971 and 1973 and his cousin Tony Mauney played at Clemson from 1988-1991. Mauney was a starter on Clemson’s 1991 ACC Championship team.

As a junior wide receiver, majoring in management, Mauney has seen action in three games this season. Against The Citadel he played in four plays, in the Missouri and Wake Forest he participated in five plays. “Marcus is a dedicated young man who will be successful in whatever his chosen field turns out to be,” said receiver coach Rick Stockstill. “It was great to see him on the field for the first three games this year.”

Mauney attended Spartanburg High School, in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he was a member of the track and field team. He earned four letters in track and a State Championship in 1994 in the 4X400 Relay. Under Coach Glover smiley he was All-Region and All-State in 1994-1996 in the 400-meter and 200-meter events.

John Strait (PK) John Strait choose to face two difficult challenges when he came to Clemson in the fall of 1996. He chose to play football and to major in Electrical Engineering. He has been faithful and dedicated to both areas of his life during the years he has been at Clemson.

By budgeting his time and following the philosophy of getting the jobs done when they need to be done, he has maintained a 3.41 GPA. “It is not difficult, you just have to want to do it and then make up your mind to be successful,” adds Strait.

He is a 1996 graduate of Ridge View High School, in Blythewood, SC. While attending high school he lettered in golf for three years and football for one year. He played under Coach Jim Bonneville. Strait is also a fan of hockey, his father, John, played at Cornell University.

After receiving his degree in May he plans on following in his father’s footsteps and climb the corporate ladder. He would like to thank his parents for their support and dedication by attending all of his games and being there for him while he was at Clemson. “Without my parents passing to me their values of hard work, dedication, and honesty I would have never been the person I am today.”

Matt Whinghter (OL) Matt Whinghter is a reserve Center/Guard for the Tigers. He joined the Clemson family in the fall of 1997. He has dedicated three years to the team, and will graduate in May with a degree in Sports Marketing. He hopes to work in the sports marketing division of a major sports franchise.

A native of Beech Island, SC, Whinghter played football for Coach Al Lown at Silver Bluff High School. While at Silver Bluff he lettered in football for three years and in track and field, in the shot put and discus, his junior and senior years. His senior year he was All-Region his senior year and All-Area his junior and senior year.

Clemson football games are a family event for the Whinghters. Joe and Sally Whinghter bring their four sons to watch the Tigers play each week. Whinghter has four brothers, a brother at Clemson in graduate school, one a freshman at Presbyterian College in Clinton and two at Augusta Christian.

He really has enjoyed getting to know his teammates and the team Chaplain Darren Bruce. Whinghter comments, “It is a real blessing to have him on staff 24 hours a day. Being a part of the Clemson program has been a great experience.”