Clemson Announces Change in Leadership within Women’s Tennis Program

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Director of Athletics Graham Neff announced a change in leadership within the women’s tennis program. Clemson and Christy Striplin Lynch have agreed to part ways on Thursday. Lynch has served as the program’s head coach since …

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Director of Athletics Graham Neff announced a change in leadership within the women’s tennis program. Clemson and Christy Striplin Lynch have agreed to part ways on Thursday. Lynch has served as the program’s head coach since July 2020.

Assistant Coach Amy Sargeant will serve as interim head coach for the 2023 spring season, with former men’s tennis head coach and current tennis director of operations Chuck McCuen serving as an assistant coach.

“I thank Christy for her service to Clemson University and our athletic program,” said Neff. “We feel it is in the best interest of Clemson Athletics to seek a new perspective at this time. We will conduct a national search for our next leader after the spring season, and are committed to winning at the highest level within this historic program.”

Under Lynch’s leadership, the program compiled a 22-28 (.440) overall record and a 6-20 (.231) mark in ACC play in two full seasons at Clemson.

Tigers Claw for Stalemate Against No. 19 Pitt

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Clemson women’s soccer team (8-4-5, 4-3-3 ACC) tied No. 19 Pitt (12-4-2, 5-3-2 ACC) 0-0 on Thursday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field. With the stalemate, the Tigers will wait until the NCAA selection show on Nov. 7 in hopes of …

PITTSBURGH, Pa.  – The Clemson women’s soccer team (8-4-5, 4-3-3 ACC) tied No. 19 Pitt (12-4-2, 5-3-2 ACC) 0-0 on Thursday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field. With the stalemate, the Tigers will wait until the NCAA selection show on Nov. 7 in hopes of earning their 9th straight bid to the NCAA Tournament.

In the first half, neither team scored in a defensive battle. The Tigers outshot Pitt as they took seven shots in that span, including three shots on goal. Pittsburgh went scoreless in the first half as well, though they shot the ball six times, with two on goal. Goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz kept the Panthers off the board with two saves in the first 45 minutes.

The second half saw even more competitive soccer, as each team prevented the other from scoring once again. Clemson attempted five shots in the second half, three of which were on goal. As for the Panthers, they took six more shots, none of which were on goal. The Tigers pushed in the last 20 minutes, dominating possession. Clemson nearly scored in the 88th minute, though Sami Meredith’s shot attempt was captured by the Pittsburgh defense, who earned a team save in the bottom-right corner of the net.

The NCAA selection show takes place Nov. 7 where the Tigers hope to earn their 9th straight bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Cagle, Thompson taking on leadership roles for Clemson softball

This past Saturday at the Dear Old Clemson Event held at the Madren Conference Center, the Clemson softball team was allowed to sign memorabilia and speak with fans about their excitement for the upcoming season. After getting swept by Oklahoma …

This past Saturday at the Dear Old Clemson Event held at the Madren Conference Center, the Clemson softball team was allowed to sign memorabilia and speak with fans about their excitement for the upcoming season. 

After getting swept by Oklahoma State in the NCAA softball super regional back in May, the Tigers are excited to have many players, especially starters, returning this spring. Even though the team only suffered a few losses from its roster this offseason, one of those players was infielder and team leader, Cammy Pereira.

“I think it definitely helps that we did not lose too much, but we did lose leadership in the middle with Cammy, so I think for us the fall is going to be a little bit of figuring out [how] the transfers and freshmen kind of fit in, and the new leadership makeup,” junior Valarie Cagle said on Saturday. “We have a lot of starters coming back so we have a lot of experience, so I think that we are just really going to be able to build on that.”

With the team making it to its first-ever super regional in program history, the Tigers have high expectations and goals going into this season. Cagle is particularly excited to see the Tigers keep making more strides toward the Women’s College World Series.

“Every year for us it had been about getting to the next step and kind of growing from that,” Cagle said. “So, I think we’ve got a really good group this year. I am just excited to go on the journey of trying to get to the next step of the World Series”  

Both Cagle and left-handed pitcher Millie Thompson have a similar approach to setting personal goals that may be too far advanced for the season.

“I mean I never really set goals for myself, I usually just want to help the team in any way I can and find my role that year,” Thompson said Saturday. “I want the team to succeed in any way, and it’s my responsibility here to help that happen, so that’s what I look forward to doing.”

Cagle agrees, saying that if she sets big-picture goals it makes it harder for her to focus on the little things throughout the season.

“I have kind of learned that enjoying the little things is just so much more fun and getting invested in this game today,” she said, “and not getting too far ahead is best for me.”

Clemson is scheduled for its first preseason exhibition match later in September.

Dear Old Clemson has loaded up our online store with some great collectibles from our event for the Clemson softball team.  

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out all the different ways you can help!

Sam Russ helping connect Clemson’s ‘special’ softball team with NIL opportunities

At the Dear Old Clemson event held on Saturday, Aug. 27, the Clemson softball team signed memorabilia and met with fans as a NIL opportunity for the team. As a representative and liaison for the team, graduate student and former member of the team …

At the Dear Old Clemson event held on Saturday, Aug. 27, the Clemson softball team signed memorabilia and met with fans as a NIL opportunity for the team.

As a representative and liaison for the team, graduate student and former member of the team Sam Russ takes a lot of pride in what the event meant to softball and women’s sports as a whole. 

Russ, who spent the first four years of her college career at N.C. State transferred to Clemson for her fifth and final year of eligibility. Russ led the ACC with a program record of 29 stolen bases and was an ACC All-Academic in 2022. Russ is currently completing her MBA at Clemson but felt so connected to the team she knew she had an opportunity to create something special alongside the team.

“I knew the team was something special, as good as it was in such a short amount of time,” said Russ. “How close we were to going to the World Series in just our third year, I knew in year four we had some big things planned.”

Russ is working with Dear Old Clemson as a former athlete advisor for the softball program.

In doing so, Russ is helping connect her former teammates with lucrative NIL opportunities that can not only build their brand as a player, but help them after their softball career is over.

She described Dear Old Clemson as an organization that makes these opportunities for athletes possible.

“Dear Old Clemson is an amazing opportunity for these girls to get involved in NIL money,” she said.

Russ has the goal and initiative to create equal opportunities for NIL for women’s sports and by assisting the softball team she hopes to make a true impact on the athletes’ lives and the opportunities they receive.

“You see male-dominated teams really impacted from this and take this to their advantage,” said Russ. “You see how popular softball is in the Clemson area and it can have an impact as well and can really provide benefits for these girls.

“It’s amazing to see the support and how many people truly appreciate Clemson softball and they want to come to meet these girls and get their autographs because they look up to them,” said Russ. “They look up to these girls, these girls are their role models.” 

Dear Old Clemson looks to do NIL “the Clemson way” and Russ takes great pride in the team and their feats on the field, but also the growth of each of these girls’ brands and the promotion of women’s sports as a whole. NIL at Clemson can impact the lives of the members of the team, but also can create a standard for other women’s sports across the college landscape. 

Dear Old Clemson has loaded up our online store with some great collectibles from our event for the Clemson softball team.  

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out all the different ways you can help!

Rittman provides season outlook with Clemson softball ‘ready to take next step’

After a season in which Clemson experienced being the hunted rather than the hunters, coach John Rittman acknowledged that Clemson softball is no longer going to be sneaking up on opponents. Teams across the country will be ready to play the Tigers …

After a season in which Clemson experienced being the hunted rather than the hunters, coach John Rittman acknowledged that Clemson softball is no longer going to be sneaking up on opponents. Teams across the country will be ready to play the Tigers

Rittman and his staff learned how to manage those expectations last year after playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Tigers advanced to the super regionals in their second full year as a program.

Speaking with The Clemson Insider at Dear Old Clemson’s NIL event in Clemson Saturday, Rittman provided a season outlook and how his program will navigate the heightened expectations that come with a lot of success.

“We’re so excited to have this new group on campus,” Rittman said “Looking forward to another great year. We had a great off-season. Obviously, working really hard to take that next step for this season. We’ve had such a rapid rise in the rankings and regionals are in our first full season, of course, super regionals last year. 

“Our main objective is to keep working hard, stay humble and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played and, of course, our main goal is to try to get to a Women’s College World Series. There’s a lot that goes into that and we have to take care of business and prepare and get ourselves ready this fall.”

Rittman said that he’s looking forward to coaching the young core of players that Clemson has, as well as some of the additions that the Tigers made to the roster during that offseason. Rittman and staff brought in one freshman in the 2022 recruiting class and three transfers.

The lone incoming freshman coming is first baseman Marena Knowles, who Rittman described as a “versatile left-handed hitter.” Clemson also added three grad transfers — outfielder Caroline Jacobsen (Duke), outfielder Ally Miklesh (Wisconsin) and infielder Reedy Davenport (Florida Gulf Coast).

“Starting with Caroline Jacobsen, an outfielder from Duke University — great hitter, great athletic softball player,” Rittman said when asked about Clemson’s incoming grad transfers, “and so she’s going to add a lot to our program. As well as Ally Miklesh, she’s an outfielder transfer from the University of Wisconsin. Tremendous player, with good range and speed. She’s gonna provide a lot for us. And then we have Reedy Davenport, an infielder from Florida Gulf Coast University — another grad transfer.”

“Plugging in some leadership,” Rittman continued. “Plugging in kids with experience, along with our returners. Of course, competition breeds success and this fall, we’re gonna have a lot of competition for some positions and I’m looking forward to it.”

Clemson will do so with losses of some key components like Marissa Guimbarda, Cammy Pereira and Sam Russ, who all exhausted their eligibility following the completion of the 2021-22 season. Guimbarda and Pereira aren’t easy to replace, as they’re two players who nearly started every game at Clemson.

“It’s something where you do some great recruiting and you get out there and the program is in a good place right now,” Rittman said. We’re attracting some of the top players in the country. But, we all know last year is last year. This is a new year and we kind of have to be prepared and ready to take that next step.”

With that said, how has Rittman felt like recruiting has changed with the heightened success of the program?

“I think it’s definitely changed,” he said. “Success of the program has opened up a lot of doors for us nationally. Clemson is a national brand, thanks to the great athletic tradition of all of our sports here. But, our success, our ability to play on TV, to play on that national stage, has opened up a lot of doors in recruiting for Clemson softball.”

Rittman acknowledged that getting to this point hasn’t been a perfect, smooth run for this program.

“A lot of people think just because we won, we haven’t had any adversity or ups and downs, but we have,” Rittman said, “and we’ve learned from our mistakes. We played through injuries. We played through COVID. We played through a lot of situations and it’s helped mold our team and our program to where we’re at today.”

Dear Old Clemson has loaded up our online store with some great collectibles from our event for the Clemson softball team.  

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out all the different ways you can help!

Graham Neff glad to see NIL done ‘the Clemson way’

Dear Old Clemson held its second NIL event in Clemson Saturday. The event, which allowed fans, local softball teams and members of the community, to have a meet-and-greet autograph session with Clemson’s softball team, was sponsored by the McWhorter …

Dear Old Clemson held its second NIL event in Clemson Saturday.

The event, which allowed fans, local softball teams and members of the community, to have a meet-and-greet autograph session with Clemson’s softball team, was sponsored by the McWhorter family, who the softball stadium is named for.

Clemson athletic director Graham Neff spoke at the event. Not only did he tout John Rittman’s fourth-year program, but he also mentioned plans for possibly expanding McWhorter Stadium in the near future. Neff primarily touched on how NIL events like Saturdays can impact student-athletes and the community alike.

“Fourth and fifth from an attendance standpoint, it’s been incredible just in Year 3,” Neff said Saturday at a NIL event in Clemson. “So, so much excitement, certainly for the softball program, and ladies, really appreciate and excited for you to be here and just the opportunity to engage in the community.”

From NIL to the transfer portal to conference realignment and changes within the NCAA it’s been an interesting start to the new job for Neff, who was named the 14th director of athletics in Clemson University history on Dec. 23, 2021.

“How we navigate these changes and continue to be leaders for Clemson and Clemson Athletics, we’re gonna do it the Clemson way and keep Clemson, Clemson,” Neff said. “And I think our approach to NIL — and this is a great opportunity and experience. This just feels really good here (Saturday) afternoon. We’re gonna continue to do it the right way, certainly from a compliant and NCAA standpoint.

“Through all the opportunities that we have to engage in the community and have NIL opportunities for our student-athletes, not just softball (Saturday) afternoon, but all of our programs. It’s just really, really important that we’re being transparent and available and certainly active from a compliant manner.”

Neff said that Clemson and its student-athletes will have support administratively, which is why he was at the Madren Conference Center on Saturday.

“That’s why I’m here, he said, “to be available and to give credence and support to certainly this event and Dear Old Clemson and other collectives that we have within the community

He just wants him and Clemson’s athletic administration to be available because NIL is such a gray area for the student-athletes, the community and community leaders. 

“We’ve worked a lot from an administrative standpoint with our coaching staff on how to do things the right way — the Clemson way,” Neff said. “I think we’re really excited to continue to expand the opportunities for our student-athletes and community…and to continue to grow the Clemson brand and our student-athletes.”

Sylla’s Brace Lifts No. 1 Tigers Over No. 13 Indiana on Opening Night

Ousmane Sylla’s 80th-minute scoring strike inside the box secured a 3-2 victory for top-ranked Clemson against No. 13 Indiana in front of 6,359 fans at Historic Riggs Field to open the 2022 season in a nationally televised showcase. On the evening …

Ousmane Sylla’s 80th-minute scoring strike inside the box secured a 3-2 victory for top-ranked Clemson against No. 13 Indiana in front of 6,359 fans at Historic Riggs Field to open the 2022 season in a nationally televised showcase. On the evening that the Tigers celebrated their 2021 National Championship in front of their home fans, they put together a strong performance and came out the victor of a back-and-forth battle between two of college soccer’s heavyweights. 

It was the Hoosiers who first drew blood, capitalizing on a Tiger miscue in the penalty area just over five minutes into the match. The Tigers’ struck back in the 12th minute, as Mohamed Seye laid the ball off to Ousmane Sylla just outside the penalty box. The junior midfielder took two touches to his right and then hit a perfectly placed shot across his body into the left-side panel.

Just four minutes later in the 16th minute, Seye made an incredible move in the midfield to beat his defender and attacked the Indiana penalty box with speed before hitting a left-footed outside-the-boot beauty into the back of the net, giving Clemson the 2-1 advantage. The Tigers would hold that all the way into halftime.

Indiana came out on the offensive, as a Ben Erkens tackle caught a bit too much of Indiana forward Tommy Mihalic, resulting in a penalty kick. Ryan Wittenbrink sent Trevor Manion the wrong way and knotted the game at 2-2 in the 52nd minute. 

Manion made several key second-half saves to keep the score level, and as the match appeared destined for overtime, Sylla received a pass from Elton Chifamba and dribbling to his right blasted the ball into the top of the net to send the crowd into a frenzy. The goal came with just over ten minutes remaining and gave Sylla, a sophomore from Dakar, Senegal, his first career brace. 

The Tigers were able to hang on to win the historic matchup on opening night and win its opener for a fourth consecutive season.

The Tigers return to action at Historic Riggs Field on Monday, Aug. 29 when they host the USC Upstate Spartans. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will stream on ACCNX.

Photo courtesy Clemson Athletics

Dear Old Clemson signs 68 NIL deals with 61 student-athletes

Clemson, South Carolina – August 23, 2022 – Dear Old Clemson has now signed 68 Name, Image and Likeness deals with 61 Clemson student-athletes. Student-athletes from football, baseball, softball and basketball have all benefited. Our event for the …

Clemson, South Carolina – August 23, 2022 – Dear Old Clemson has now signed 68 Name, Image and Likeness deals with 61 Clemson student-athletes. Student-athletes from football, baseball, softball and basketball have all benefited.

Our event for the softball team will be held August 27 in the Grand Ballroom at the Madren Conference Center from 1-3 p.m. This meet-and-greet autograph session will allow fans to see the returning players from the first-ever regional championship team and the new faces that will help the Tigers field one of the top teams in the nation next season. Coach John Rittman is scheduled to speak to those in attendance. The Stuart McWhorter family is the title sponsor for the event. All 24 members scholarship freshmen will be on hand to meet the best fans in the nation.

Dear Old Clemson’s first baseball event is scheduled for September 30 in the Pavilion at the Madren Conference Center from 7-9 p.m. Coach Erik Bakich is scheduled to speak at the event that will include at least 30 members of the 2023 team. The NIL deals for this event are not included in the 68 announced in this release.

Tickets for Dear Old Clemson events can be purchased at dearoldclemson.com/events or at the event if tickets are still available. By joining Dear Old Clemson’s Tiger Club at the orange level or higher, members receive free access to all events.

We expect to have signed deals with more than 100 Clemson student-athletes by the end of September.

About Dear Old Clemson

Dear Old Clemson, LLC was established in April 2022. The collective compensates Clemson student-athletes for attending events, promoting businesses, signing collectibles, sales of collectibles and social media posts. Dear Old Clemson is fully compliant. The only athletes compensated for use of their name, image and likeness are ones that are currently enrolled at Clemson University.

Clemson fans and businesses are encouraged to visit DearOldClemson.com for more information.

Tigers Defeat Camels 5-1 for First Win

The No. 25 Clemson women’s soccer team earned its first victory of the season with a 5-1 win over defending Big South Regular Season Champions, Campbell behind a brace and an incredible performance from Renee Lyles. Campbell got off to a great …

The No. 25 Clemson women’s soccer team earned its first victory of the season with a 5-1 win over defending Big South Regular Season Champions, Campbell behind a brace and an incredible performance from Renee Lyles.

Campbell got off to a great start, getting on the board early in the second minute of the game. Less than a minute later, sophomore Lyles found the equalizer, tying the game at 1-1. Lyles continued to impress as she got the offensive edge yet again, striking the ball off of the crossbar and into the back of the net, giving the Tigers the 2-1 lead at the half, despite many other offensive opportunities.

The Tigers dominated the second half in both possession and chances. Freshman midfielder Emily Brough made her presence felt in her first-ever appearance, scoring the third goal for the Tigers.

Clemson continued to maintain control of the match and added two more goals for good measure, the first on a highlight-reel worthy touch by Caroline Conti off a Lyles cross that beat the Camels’ keeper. In the final minute of the match, Minarik scored her first goal of the season on a right-footed blast into the left side panel.

“It was a good win tonight,” said head coach Eddie Radwanski. “We knew we would get a good fight from Campbell. We had a great response to come back and get a goal. In the second half, our quality went up, and we were able to score some more goals.”

Clemson hits the road to take on Western Carolina in Cullowhee, N.C. on Thursday night at 7 p.m. The Tigers return to Historic Riggs Field to host Appalachian State on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. Admission to the match is free.

Clemson Unanimous No. 1 in Preseason Poll

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson United was voted the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. The Tigers earned all eight first place votes following their 2021 National Championship winning season. The complete top-25 …

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson United was voted the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. The Tigers earned all eight first place votes following their 2021 National Championship winning season. The complete top-25 is linked HERE.

“It is another first for our program and one we are proud of,” raved Head Coach Mike Noonan. “In the past few years, Clemson Men’s Soccer has attained a No. 1 final season ranking, a No. 1 RPI ranking, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and now a No. 1 preseason ranking. We are always cognizant that the rankings at the end of the year are what is most important and we are looking forward to getting started on the 2022 season on August 26 vs Indiana at Riggs.”

Clemson is one of six ACC teams ranked in the pre-season top-25. Notre Dame earned the No. 4 spot, while Pitt begins its campaign at No. 7. Duke, Wake Forest and North Carolina round out the conference’s representation at No. 12, 15 and 24, respectively.

The Tigers return All-ACC players Ousmane Sylla and Hamady Diop from their championship side, along with College Cup Offensive MVP Isaiah Reid.

Noonan’s 13th season at the helm will begin on August 26 at Historic Riggs Field against eight-time NCAA Champion and No. 13 ranked Indiana in a battle of college soccer’s blue bloods.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson men’s soccer, please visit ClemsonTigers.com and follow @ClemsonMSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.