Schmidt coming back to Clemson
By: will-vandervort June 20, 2015

It’s not often someone is happy they broke their nose, but Clate Schmidt is very thankful he did. If the Clemson pitcher had not broken his nose he might not be here today.

It has been two weeks since the Acworth, Ga., native was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that starts in cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system. Lymphocytes are in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues such as the spleen and bone marrow.‎

“After the broken nose my sinus got messed up,” Schmidt said. “I had surgery so I was really aware of everything I had going on around that area. So I was already looking around there and just by happenstance in the shower I found it.

“It was something that, thank God we caught it early.”

Schmidt broke his nose after he took a shot from an elbow during a high school basketball game his senior year. That led to a deviated septum—a division of the nasal cavity—which led to his sinus issues, which led to his surgery last January, which led to his discovery of the lump just below his chin on the left side of his neck a few weeks later.

“I was thinking it was an infection. I did not think it was anything near the magnitude of cancer, but like I said, I was glad that I found it,” Schmidt said. “I was really lucky.”

Since January, Schmidt has undergone several tests and two biopsies, which led to his diagnoses two weeks ago that he has cancer.

“I was freaking out when I heard the word cancer,” the 21-year old pitcher said. “My grandfather had it and I saw what he went through and I helped take care of him throughout that time, too. After seeing all of that I remember thinking how scared I was. How much chemo will I need? Will I be able to play baseball again and that kind of stuff.

“I just freaked out, but after talking to my doctor I felt better. My doctor is one of the nicest guys ever and is perfect. He has been really aggressive with everything. Everything that needed to fall into place after my diagnoses fell into place.”

Schmidt is scheduled to receive four chemotherapy treatments and then will undergo three weeks of radiation treatment. His last treatment is scheduled to be the week before he comes back to Clemson to begin fall workouts.

And yes he is coming back to Clemson for his senior season. Coincidentally, the first day he received his chemo treatment, Schmidt was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft on June 10, but he has decided he will not go pro.

On Friday he tweeted:

“I wanted to let everyone know that I am going to be playing for Clemson this year,” he said. “I’m ready to get back to work and get back with the team with our new coach. I’m ready to see what Coach (Monte) Lee can do and what we can do this coming year.”

Schmidt spoke with Lee on Thursday—the day Lee was officially named Clemson’s new head coach—for about a minute or two.

“I had the pleasure of talking with him and he asked me about my health, and I told him about what was going on,” Schmidt said. “But I started communicating that I wanted to help lead this team to Omaha and I wanted to be the kid that could be a captain for you and be able to do that.

“I wanted him to know that I can help get us there. That’s what I want to be able to do.”

Before Schmidt can help get the Clemson baseball program back to the College World Series, he has to first beat non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and get back in shape to compete on the mound. The doctors are allowing him to continue to work out as much as he can.

Along with his brother, Clarke, a pitcher for archrival South Carolina, Schmidt can work his mid- and lower-body, but he is not able to throw a baseball until he is completely done with his treatments.

“They said the word cancer and I thought, ‘There is another obstacle I have to overcome and be able to attack and get over before the season starts so I can be able to get back with the team.’ I have to get done with that before school starts and I’ll be ready to go,” he said.