DATE: October 12, 2007

CONTACT: Loreto Jackson, (864) 637-8181
loretoj@clemson.edu

WRITER: Angela Nixon, (864) 656-0382
anixon@clemson.edu

Institute for International Sport names Clemson All-American Sportsmanship School

CLEMSON – The Institute for International Sport has named Clemson University an All-American Sportsmanship School for 2007-2008.

Selection was based on a school’s strong commitment to a culture of sportsmanship. At Clemson, this commitment is demonstrated in the Solid Orange: It’s About Pride initiative.

“Our Solid Orange: It's About Pride sportsmanship and civility initiative has made great strides in a short period of time,” said Loreto Jackson, director of student-athlete performance at Clemson. “The task force appointed by President Jim Barker to spearhead this effort has succeeded in motivating the university and the surrounding community to embrace the concept of Solid Orange: something recognized by our fans, our visitors and around the nation. Solid Orange is a way of living here at Clemson. This recognition confirms that we are doing the right thing.”

As an All-American Sportsmanship School, Clemson will play an active role in the 2008 National Sportsmanship Day, which is administered by the Institute for International Sport on March 4. Activities involve high school and college student-athletes and coaches visiting local elementary schools to talk about the importance of sportsmanship.

“It is a tremendous honor for Clemson University to be recognized for its sportsmanship initiative by the prestigious Institute for International Sport. This is an award deserved by the greater university community, which has stepped up to President Barker’s challenge to create an ‘environment that is spirited and fun, but also shows respect for teams, the university and the traditions that make Clemson special,’” Jackson said.

Three other four-year colleges and universities also received the honor: Indiana University, Bucknell University and Auburn University. Two junior colleges, three high schools, two elementary/middle schools and one K-12 school also were named All-American Sportsmanship Schools, and the Empire 8 Athletic Conference was named the 2007-2008 All-American Sportsmanship Conference.