CLEMSON — One day, Graham Neff will discover his place in Clemson Athletic history. Until then, the second-year athletic director will have to wait to see what his legacy will indeed be.
History already wrote the verdict on some of Clemson’s athletic leaders of the past.
Though he sometimes saved a dollar or two, Frank Howard was in charge of the Clemson Athletic Department for 31 years (1940-’71). The “Bashful Baron of Barlow Bend” became the greatest ambassador for Clemson Athletics, as well as playing a major role in Clemson’s creation and promotion of the Tiger Paw.
On the gridiron, of course, Howard put Clemson on the national map by guiding the program to eight conference titles and six bowl appearances, including trips to the Gator, Orange and Sugar Bowls.
Jess Neely, who guided Clemson to the 1940 Cotton Bowl, was the athletic director at Clemson before Howard and is responsible for the idea of IPTAY, which is the oldest and largest booster organization in America.
Bill McLellan brought Clemson Athletics into the future, building facilities like the state-of-the-art Jervey Athletic Center, and expanding Memorial Stadium into one of the largest on-campus stadiums in the country. His vision for Clemson Athletics brought national championships in football and men’s soccer.
During this time, Clemson won 34 ACC Championships in nine different sports. The department was especially successful from 1978-’85 when Clemson had 45 top 25 teams and 27 ACC championships.
Dan Radakovich, Neff’s predecessor, is responsible for building Clemson’s great athletic facilities, as well as starting the Clemson Softball Program, which has already become a national power.
However, when you think of athletic directors at Clemson, did anyone do more for Clemson than Terry Don Phillips. His 10 years at Clemson include 57 top twenty-five finishes, 13 ACC championships, and 77 winning-seasons.
During the Phillips’ decade, Clemson was nationally recognized for its academic progression rates and had a record 2.99 overall grade-point-average (GPA) by student athletes for the spring semester of 2012. On average, 53 percent of Clemson student athletes had at least a 3.0 GPA during that span of time.
However, what really signifies Phillips’ place among Clemson’s greatest ADs, if not the greatest, are his hires. Just look who he is responsible for hiring:
- Dabo Swinney: Two-time National Champion; Clemson’s all-time winningest coach in football
- Mike Noonan: Two-time National Champion in men’s soccer
- Eddie Radwanski: Took women’s soccer to first College Cup Appearance
- Brad Brownell: Clemson’s all-time winningest coach in men’s basketball
In Swinney’s office is a picture of himself, Phillips, Noonan, former Deputy Athletic Director Bill D’Andrea and Associate Athletic Director for Football Woody McCorvey that was taken last year. In the picture with the five men is football’s two national championships under Swinney and Noonan’s first soccer national title.
“I look at that picture, and how cool is that,” Swinney said. “Terry Don Phillips…I went and saw him a few weeks ago, and man, they don’t make them like him anymore. His vision and his belief in me and Mike, to give us the opportunity and to give us the resources and the time to grow and develop a great program.
“There are just so many people involved, and I am just happy for all of those people. That is just really cool to see.”
On Tuesday night, it was cool to see Clemson win another national championship and it was even cooler to think that Terry Don Phillip’s vision for Clemson, way back in 2009 and 2010, continues to shine bright.
–photo by Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
