Clemson Sets Graduation Success Rate Record

Clemson Athletics earned a department record 95 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for the 2011-14 cohort in data released by the NCAA on Thursday. It’s the eighth consecutive cohort in which Clemson’s department-wide GSR was at 91 percent or …

Clemson Athletics earned a department record 95 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for the 2011-14 cohort in data released by the NCAA on Thursday. It’s the eighth consecutive cohort in which Clemson’s department-wide GSR was at 91 percent or higher.

“The most important thing our student-athletes can do is graduate, and they have done so at an incredible level,” said Dan Radakovich, Director of Athletics. “To be above 91 percent for eight years, and at 95 percent in this data release, is a remarkable accomplishment by our student-athletes, the staff at the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center and our coaches.”
Among public institutions, Clemson’s department rate was tied for first in the ACC and third in the Power Five, just one percentage point behind the national public leaders. A Clemson-record eight programs earned perfect 100 percent scores for the cohort – baseball, men’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s golf, rowing, women’s soccer, women’s tennis and volleyball. Volleyball maintained its streak of 17 consecutive cohorts at 100 percent, while women’s tennis (12), men’s golf (6), baseball (5), men’s basketball (4) and women’s golf (3) also have active streaks at 100 percent.
Football’s cohort, which encompasses student-athletes from the 2016 and 2018 National Championship teams, set a program record (88), the ninth Clemson program to set or tie a record this cohort.
Overall Department Rate: 95
Women’s Sports
  • Basketball: 91
  • Cross Country/Track: 97
  • Rowing: 100*
  • Golf: 100*
  • Soccer: 100*
  • Tennis: 100*
  • Volleyball : 100*
Men’s Sports
  • Baseball: 100*
  • Basketball: 100*
  • Cross Country/Track: 88
  • Football: 88*
  • Golf: 100*
  • Soccer: 94
  • Tennis: 91

Release: Clemson to require masks

Following the South Carolina Supreme Court decision announced earlier today which permits higher education institutions to require a universal mask mandate, Clemson will require masks in all of its statewide buildings including classrooms, …

Following the South Carolina Supreme Court decision announced earlier today which permits higher education institutions to require a universal mask mandate, Clemson will require masks in all of its statewide buildings including classrooms, instructional facilities, offices, labs, and residential and dining halls except while eating or in private spaces. The requirement is effective immediately for a period of three weeks.

This three-week period coincides with the greatest risk predicted by our public health team’s modeling of the disease. Masks were shown in our models to a have significant impact on curbing the spread of the virus and correspondingly enhances our ability to stay in person.

The University continues to evaluate all public health data as it mitigates the prevalence of COVID-19 while maximizing opportunities to continue in-person classes.

Release by Clemson University

 

Clemson releases COVID-19 protocols for fall semester

Clemson University released its updated COVID-19 protocols for students, faculty and staff for the fall semester on Wednesday afternoon. “The commitment and sacrifices of our Clemson students, faculty, and staff to the collective well-being over the …

Clemson University released its updated COVID-19 protocols for students, faculty and staff for the fall semester on Wednesday afternoon.

“The commitment and sacrifices of our Clemson students, faculty, and staff to the collective well-being over the past year and a half have been nothing short of remarkable, and we know that spirit will continue during the 2021-22 academic year,” university president Jim Clements said in a letter to students, faculty and staff.

“While we all had hoped this pandemic would be behind us when we arrived in August, it is clear the Delta variant has changed the dynamics and heightened our need for continued diligence to protect our students, faculty and staff.”

The updated measures include a return to full capacity classrooms, a strong recommendation for masking regardless of vaccination and continued testing.

Face coverings are also required in medical facilities and on public transportation on campus.

The university announced two vaccination clinics for returning students and faculty from Aug. 9-14 and Aug. 16-21.

The university also requires a negative COVID-19 test before arrival to campus regardless of vaccination status and a negative test every seven days for students, faculty and staff.

More details about the protocols can be found on Clemson University’s official website.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Seminoles President: People May Come After Clemson, FSU

It seems Florida State believes the Tigers and Noles need to be prepared for interest from others as college athletics nears another massive shift. Florida State president John Thrasher’s retires this August after taking over leadership of the …

It seems Florida State believes the Tigers and Noles need to be prepared for interest from others as college athletics nears another massive shift.

Florida State president John Thrasher’s retires this August after taking over leadership of the university in 2014. And spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat this week on a variety of topics including the recent news that Oklahoma and Texas intend to join the SEC.

Thrasher mentioned conversations with FSU director of athletics David Coburn and ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips about the recent move and keeping the Seminoles relevant in the ever-shifting landscape of college athletics.

“My point to David Coburn and to Jim Phillips is I don’t want Florida State to be left behind. I consider us as part of the ACC, but I also know that we have a marquee name, Clemson has a marquee name,” Thrasher said. “I think there might be people coming after us, I don’t know, but we’ve got to be prepared no matter what the options are.”

Florida State has struggled in football since the departure of former head coach Jimbo Fisher to Texas A&M in 2017. In the last three seasons the Seminoles have went a combined 14-20.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do yo

Clemson BOT approves Phase 2 renovations to Memorial Stadium

Clemson University’s Board of Trustees officially approved Phase 2 of facility improvements to Memorial Stadium Thursday during its quarterly meeting at the Powers College of Business Building in Clemson. Last week, the BOT’s Finance and Facilities …

Clemson University’s Board of Trustees officially approved Phase 2 of facility improvements to Memorial Stadium Thursday during its quarterly meeting at the Powers College of Business Building in Clemson.

Last week, the BOT’s Finance and Facilities Committee approved Phase 2 improvements to Death Valley to be approved by the full board on Thursday. The improvements will cost $65 million.

The BOT also approved Phase 1 expansion projects for both the Poe Indoor Practice Facility and the Allen Reeves Football Complex that received initial approval for projects under $5 million.

These improvements include an elite performance and wellness center at the Reeves Complex that will extend over the current space occupied by the covered basketball court. The enhancements total $4.8 million.

They both will be funded by athletic gifts.

Phase 2 of the Memorial Stadium renovation was altered to a two-part plan executed after this football season and after the 2022 season. The updated plan also eliminates the additional seating in the east end zone that was part of the initial approval.

Part A includes premium seating in the West Zone with the addition of the concourse club and a new video board in the east end zone. It is scheduled to be completed in August of 2022.

Part B will be executed in 2022 and includes locker room enhancements and improvements to Lot 5. This part is scheduled to be completed in August of 2023.

According to Radakovich IPTAY has already begun taking reservations for the concourse club for the 2022 season.

“The Memorial Stadium renovation we previously received Phase 1 approval and are back for Phase 2,” Radakovich said last week. “But we have altered that renovation plan and there will be two parts: Part A with the concourse club and video board we want to start after this season and the Part B with the locker room and lot five renovation year hence.”

At the Poe Indoor Practice Facility Radakovich proposed the addition of a Student-Athlete Branding Institute to assist with content creation in light of the name, image and likeness compensation. It also includes increased storage and NFL-style locker rooms. All of the improvements to the facility total $4.5 million.

“The most exciting part of it on the west side is the Student-Athlete Branding Institute and multi-purpose media rooms,” Radakovich said. “The branding institute is going to be a really positive lever for us as it relates to NIL and our student-athletes creating their brand and move forward during their time at Clemson.”

–Alex Dodd contributed to this story

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Watch: Trevor Lawrence’s arm will have NFL teams drooling

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence displayed an NFL arm on this TD pass to Amari Rodgers.

Okay, okay, it is against The Citadel. That’s not the point. Trevor Lawrence of Clemson still had to throw the ball 50-plus yards and drop it in perfectly to Amari Rodgers in the end zone for a touchdown Saturday.

The quarterback looks like the surefire No. 1 pick …  unless the Cincinnati Bengals wind up in the pole position again for the 2021 NFL Draft.

And, what would the Carolina Panthers do if they finish with the top pick? They just signed Teddy Bridgewater to a big contract. They play in North Carolina and Lawrence is showing his college prowess next door in South Carolina.

Decisions, decisions. Meanwhile, enjoy his talents.

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence wants 2020 season to be played

As the pieces start to look like college football 2020 will be postponed, one big-name player wants the season to start as scheduled. Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, took to Twitter Sunday to share …

As the pieces start to look like college football 2020 will be postponed, one big-name player wants the season to start as scheduled.

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, took to Twitter Sunday to share his feelings.

Clemson announces 23 football players have tested positive for COVID-19

Clemson University announced a number of athletes, including 23 football players, tested positive for COVID-19.

South Carolina announced 1,081 people tested positive for the coronavirus, a state high for a day, Friday. Clemson University revealed 28 of its 315 COVID testes were positive, including 23 football players, two members of the football staff, and three student-athletes from other sports.

The numbers for this week:

This comes a week after 128 Clemson Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball student-athletes began taking part in the first in-person element of their return plans. Of 104 football players tested last week, two tested positive. One basketball player tested positive, too.

When a student-athlete is diagnosed with COVID-19, DHEC will be notified according to their guidelines as means to trace known contacts. Specific individuals will not be identified, in accordance with HIPAA laws. CUAD Sports Medicine will isolate the positive case and possible contacts. Individuals with symptoms and known exposure to a positive COVID-19 patient should self-quarantine or isolate and be further medically evaluated as soon as possible.

Clemson is among the colleges nationally that are opting to release news of positive COVID tests to the public.

Texas had 13 football players test positive on Thursday. Houston football suspended voluntary workouts after it failed to test players upon returning to campus and ended up with six positive tests. SMU announced five positive tests for athletes this week. There also have been reports of positive tests at Kansas State, Alabama and Michigan.

The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that UCLA players are seeking a “third-party health official” to ensure COVID-19 protocols are followed.

 

Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins push for Clemson to disassociate from pro-slavery U.S. vice president

The former Clemson Tigers are advocating for the school to to remove slavery supporter John C. Calhoun’s name from the honors college.

As statues of slave traders and confederate leaders are removed from public display — either voluntarily or by protesters against racism and police brutality — former Clemson players Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are supporting efforts to continue that trend at their alma mater.

The now-Houston Texans quarterback and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver are calling for the South Carolina university to drop John C. Calhoun’s name from the honors college (officially named the Calhoun Honors College). Both former Tigers shared on social media a link to a petition demanding Clemson rename the honors college and encouraged others to sign it.

Calhoun served as vice president of the United States under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, and, as detailed several times in his bio on Clemson’s website, he was a huge proponent of slavery, defending it as a senator in 1837 as “instead of an evil, a good — a positive good.”

The effort to remove Calhoun’s name from the honors college is not new, but Watson and Hopkins’ support for it could be significant as massive protests against racial injustice continue nationwide and around the globe in the two weeks since a white Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd.

View this post on Instagram

As we watch everything happening in the world, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community. Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change. Please help us by signing and sharing this petition here: tinyurl.com/calhounpetition

A post shared by @ deandrehopkins on

In his Instagram caption, Hopkins explained that because Calhoun’s name is attached to the honors college, buildings and signs, he “purposely” does not mention Clemson when he’s introduced for NFL games. The wide receiver wrote:

As we watch everything happening in the world, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community. Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change.

Clemson also notes that the campus was built on Calhoun’s Fort Hill Plantation, where he enslaved 70 to 80 African American people, adding: “Undeniably, Calhoun was an ardent believer in white supremacy.”

The Change.org petition to “remove John C. Calhoun’s name from one of our most distinguished academic programs” had a goal of 10,000 signatures, and at the time of this post, it already had more than 8,100. Directed at Clemson’s and the honors college’s leadership, along with the school’s board of trustees, the petition reads, in part:

Clemson’s Honors College was founded in 1962, but Calhoun’s name was not added until 1981. To change the name of the college, therefore, is not to “erase history”; rather, it is to acknowledge that our understanding of history has evolved. To maintain the name, on the other hand, is to convey Clemson University’s continued indifference toward a history of institutional racism and state-sanctioned violence against Black life. South Carolina’s Heritage Act says nothing about the names of academic programs. It was a choice to rename the Honors College in 1981, and it remains a choice now.

Watson’s and Hopkins’ push for the honors college name change comes as Clemson’s football program is involved in multiple controversies. Coach Dabo Swinney was photographed recently wearing a tone-deaf t-shirt, and he’s been criticized for how he responded to an assistant coach saying the N-word at practice in 2017.

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DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson seek Clemson to remove building affiliation with slave owner

DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson are getting behind a petition to remove the name of a slave supporter from a building at Clemson.

DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson are among the list of NFL athletes looking to create change and racial equality. The wide receiver and quarterback, former teammates at Clemson and with the Houston Texans, want their school to take action.

Hopkins and Watson took to Twitter Monday to support a petition asking Clemson to remove the name of a slave supporter from an honors building at the school in South Carolina.

They tweeted a petition started by Clemson student Roann Abdeladl demanding the removal of former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun’s name from the school’s Calhoun Honors College.

Hopkins, now an Arizona Cardinal, tweeted first and Watson followed hours later.

Part of the petition reads:

As students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and fans of Clemson University and the Calhoun Honors College, we demand that the University — without further delays or excuses — remove John C. Calhoun’s name from one of our most distinguished academic programs. Calhoun, who on the floor of the U.S. Senate advocated for the expansion of slavery as a “positive good,” exemplifies institutional racism and white supremacy.

Calhoun was the seventh vice president of the United States from 1825-32 and represented South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He was a slave owner and staunch advocate of slavery.

“Slavery is indispensable to a republican government,” is a quote attributed to  Calhoun.

Hopkins made a statement on Instagram regarding his feelings and why does not acknowledge the school before NFL games.

View this post on Instagram

As we watch everything happening in the world, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community. Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change. Please help us by signing and sharing this petition here: tinyurl.com/calhounpetition

A post shared by @ deandrehopkins on

As we watch everything happening in the world, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community. Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change. Please help us by signing and sharing this petition here: tinyurl.com/calhounpetition