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Clemson students cheering in Death Valley during Clemson's matchup against Texas A&M

B-Note September 19, 2019

September 19, 2019

Greetings fellow Tigers!

I hope you all watched the Tigers play an exciting game against Syracuse Saturday night. What an amazing victory for our football team! Through hard work and determination, the Tigers have advanced to 3-0 for the season and continue their 18 game winning streak. Whether the games are at home or away, we love spending our weekends supporting our Tigers surrounded by our Clemson family. We’re looking forward to another weekend of football when the Tigers return to Death Valley to face UNC Charlotte on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The semester is in full-swing, and our football team remains undefeated! It’s a great time to be a Clemson Tiger!

I was honored to attend this year’s Board of Trustees Volunteer Leadership Reception, where we had the opportunity to express our gratitude for the Board of Trustees and all their hard work. Their leadership throughout the year is vital to making Clemson a championship university – on the field and in the classroom.

Board of Trustees Leadership Reception in support of the Clemson Career Workshop endowment that supports recruitment of underrepresented minority students. Held at Madren Center in the Main Ballroom.

If you’ve been around our campus this week, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a few film crews and actors. Disney Studios is producing a film that will highlight the life story of former Clemson football player Ray Ray McElrathbey. The movie, titled “Safety,” is based on the life of Ray Ray, who assumed custody of his then-11-year-old brother, Fahmarr, while he was attending Clemson and playing for the football team in 2006. Because of the extenuating circumstances – their mother was in drug rehab and their father was not present in their lives – the NCAA granted a waiver that allowed Clemson coaches, staff and others in the community to assist Ray Ray with the daily duties of caring for Fahmarr. As we are known to do, the Clemson family joined together to help Ray Ray and Fahmarr, giving the younger brother rides to and from school and setting up a trust fund for Fahmarr’s care. That fund received more than $46,000 in donations within the first two weeks of its creation.

Filming for “Safety” will continue throughout the weekend and will include a special filming during halftime of the game in Death Valley, replicating the Tigers’ 2006 season opening game against Florida Atlantic, when Ray Ray, a defensive back, had four tackles. This is a great opportunity for us to show the nation the dedication and unwavering support of the Clemson family.

B- a champion!
Whether you’re watching the games from home, cheering in Death Valley or traveling across the country, the support of our Clemson fans can be felt anywhere – and any time. But the dedication of the Clemson family exceeds far beyond the football stadium. Academically and athletically, we are a championship university, and we continue to prove that through our awards, discoveries and innovations. Thank you for your dedication and commitment and for being a champion for Clemson!

I hope to see many of you this weekend when Clemson football returns home for a match-up against UNC Charlotte.

Go Tigers! Beat Charlotte!

Brian O’Rourke