Oct. 25, 2005

Clemson students are halfway through the fall semester and, as is custom on many college campuses, are receiving mid-term reports about their academic performance. Professors highlight each student's performance to this point in the semester, while drawing attention to all of the assignments that are still left to complete. The mid-term report serves as a benchmark to the student about where he or she currently is and provides a springboard for the student to jump toward where he or she wants to finish.

Our fall Olympic sports programs are also in the middle of their seasons with a number of opportunities to move closer to the goals that were set during preseason camps. As these programs find themselves at this pivotal juncture of the 2005 season, it is appropriate to look at what has already been accomplished, as we turn up the intensity and determination to reach for what is left on the table.

Men's Cross Country

• Head Coach Bob Pollock is in his 18th year as the coach of the men's cross country program. He was named the 2004 Southeast Region Coach of theYear.
• Clemson is led by junior Matt Clark who was named the ACC Performer of the Week for his 2nd place performance at the Great American Classic in Cary, NC.
• Clemson won the Clemson Invitational and S. C. Collegiate Championships behind a 1st place finish by Clark.
• A 1st place finish at the Clemson Invitational, an 8th place finish at the Great American Classic, and a 22nd place finish at the Pre-NCAA Meet have been the results for the Tiger runners during the first half of the season. The Tigers have the ACC, Southeast Regional and NCAA Championships remaining on their schedule.

Men's Soccer

• Trevor Adair is now in his 12th year as the head coach of the men's soccer program. During that time a common theme has been the increasing strength of men's soccer in the ACC. 9 of the 12 schools in the conference sponsor men's soccer, and all 9 programs have been ranked in the top 15 at some point during this soccer season.
• Clemson defeated USC in an overtime thriller that has set the tone for the Clemson Athletic Department's 5-0 start versus USC in the 2005-06 school year. A Solid Orange crowd of 4,420 was in attendance.
• Clemson won the Stihl Soccer Tournament at currently-ranked #2 Old Dominion University.
• Clemson has been ranked as high as 12th in the nation, and is currently 6-4-2 overall and 0-4-1 in the ACC.
• Despite injuries to several key players, including all 3 seniors (Charlie Roberts, Bradley Gibson, and Justin Moore) the Tigers have made solid strides in an effort to re-establish the program to national prominence. Heading into this past weekend, there are five games remaining in the regular season with 4 being played at Historic Riggs Field.

Women's Cross Country

• Head Coach Marcia Noad is in her 6th year as the coach of the women's track and cross country program. This year, she brought in former Tiger runner Larry Clark to provide direction to the Tigers distance runners.
• Clemson opened the season with a victory in the USC Invitational. The Tigers were led by Jennifer Barton's 1st place finish and Casey Phillips 2nd place finish.
• Clemson won the S. C. Collegiate Championships, led by state champion Jennifer Barton.
• A 1st place finish at the USC Invitational, a 3rd place finish at the Clemson Invitational, a 5th place finish at the FSU Invitational, and a 3rd place finish at the Furman Invitational have been the results for the Tiger runners during the first half of the season. The Tigers have the ACC, Southeast Regional and NCAA Championships remaining on their schedule.

Women's Soccer

• Todd Bramble is in his 5th season as the head coach of the women's soccer program. In each of his first 4 years the Tigers have finished in the top 25 and competed in the NCAA tournament.
• Clemson defeated USC (1-0) in front of a Solid Orange crowd of 1,423.
• Clemson defeated #12 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, and are currently 7-6-2 overall and 2-4-1 in the ACC.
• Faced with the devastating loss of sophomore mid-fielder Elizabeth Jobe, the Tigers have done an admirable job of competing against the toughest competition in the country. Heading into this past weekend, the Tigers have 3 games remaining in the regular season with 2 being played at historic Riggs Field.

Volleyball

• Head Coach Jolene Hoover is in her 13th season as the leader of the volleyball program. In her first 12 years Clemson has won the 1997 ACC Tournament, the 1999 ACC Regular Season Championship, and competed in the NCAA Tournament 5 times.
• In one of the most exciting environments in collegiate volleyball, Clemson defeated USC (3-0) in front of a Solid Orange crowd of 2,135.
• Clemson freshman Jeannette Abbott earned ACC Volleyball Player of the Week honors, after leading the Tigers to a pair of conference victories over Duke and Wake Forest in the first half of the season.
• Clemson's record heading into this weekend is 9-8 overall and 4-5 in the ACC, with 12 matches remaining going into this past weekend. 6 of those matches will be played in Jervey Gym.

The results of these remaining contests will have a tremendous impact on the Tigers post-season chances. All of our fall sports still have opportunities to reach post-season competition and attain many of the goals they set prior to the season. It is in the post-season that ACC and National Championships are won in these sports. As our teams head in that direction, we must have a consolidated effort from our coaches, student-athletes, and fans. It is at this point in the season when our Pride in our school, our teams, and ourselves must be the strongest. It is now that champions coach, play, and cheer harder, and regardless of what happens, they never, ever, ever give up.

In Solid Orange,
Terry Don Phillips

Past Columns
October 19, 2005
October 11, 2005
October 4, 2005
September 26, 2005
September 21, 2005
September 5, 2005
August 23, 2005
August 4, 2005
July 26, 2005
June 28, 2005
May 23, 2005
April 25, 2005
April 4, 2005
March 16, 2005
February 23, 2005
February 15, 2005
February 9, 2005
February 1, 2005
January 25, 2005
January 18, 2005
January 11, 2005
January 6, 2005
December 15, 2004
December 7, 2004
November 30, 2004
November 17, 2004
November 10, 2004
November 3, 2004
October 26, 2004
October 21, 2004
October 11, 2004
October 4, 2004