By Nathan Inman

When college football players graduate and their time as a collegiate athlete draws to a close, they often wind up in careers within the football industry. Whether it be playing professionally or coaching at different levels, those are the typical paths former college football players take. 

Two former Clemson Tigers opted to take a much less-traveled path. 

Landon Walker, ’12, and Jonathan “Tig” Willard, ’13, played football together at Clemson over their four seasons, including the 2011 ACC Championship game, which delivered Clemson its first conference title in 20 years. 

When the two players transitioned into their professional careers, they saw their paths take them in a very different direction than they had expected — a direction that has led the former teammates to become competitors. 

Landon Walker 

Walker went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft, but later intended to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. The only thing that stood between Walker and his NFL dreams was a physical. 

However, the physical revealed arthritis in his knee, leaving Walker to face the reality of the condition. 

“I got hit in the face with some reality really fast,” Walker said in a 2023 interview. “The reality of the decision was that you either try to continue to play football with a knee that has failed an arthritis physical, or you try to do something different.” 

Soon after the physical, Walker was contacted by Hendrick Motorsports, the winningest team in NASCAR history. The team wanted Walker to attend its pit crew combine, something very similar to the workouts Walker participated in as a football player. 

That was 14 years ago. Walker officially joined the organization shortly after the combine and has remained with the organization as the fueler for William Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet. In the last several seasons, Walker has been part of numerous victories on the No. 24 team, including two consecutive Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025. 

Jonathan “Tig” Willard 

Like Walker, Willard went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. However, Willard wound up signing with the Tennessee Titans that offseason and joined their practice squad. 

Willard did not appear in any games for the Titans throughout the 2013 season and did not return at season’s end. This left Willard in a position similar to the one Walker had been in a few years prior, contemplating what life would look like after professional football. 

In the years that followed, Willard found himself joining motorsports giant Chip Ganassi Racing ahead of the 2017 NASCAR season. Throughout his stint with the organization, Willard served as a jackman for numerous pit crews across the three major NASCAR national touring series.  

Prior to the start of the 2022 season, Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR program was purchased by Trackhouse Racing, a brand-new NASCAR team. Fortunately for Willard, he was able to remain with the organization in the same role — a role that led to his being part of NASCAR history. 

In 2023, NASCAR took to a street circuit for the very first time in Chicago, and Trackhouse entered a special entry for three-time Australian Supercars champion Shane Van Gisbergen to take part in his first-ever NASCAR race. Willard was the jackman for Van Gisbergen, who went on to win the race — the first driver to do so in their first NASCAR Cup Series start since 1963.  

In the years since then, Willard has joined Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing in 2024 and is currently the jackman for Ryan Preece and the No. 60 Ford. Just last month, Willard was part of the pit crew for Preece’s first career victory that secured him a spot in the NASCAR Chase.  

A chance for a championship 

Both former Tigers now have an opportunity in front of them to accomplish something they have never done before: win a NASCAR championship. Their respective drivers, William Byron and Ryan Preece, both qualified for the NASCAR Chase — the sport’s version of a postseason — and have a chance over the last 10 races to secure the title. 

The Chase began on Labor Day weekend in the Palmetto State at Darlington Raceway, and continued this past Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis. With just eight races remaining in the season, the two teams have their work cut out for them, as they both sit more than 100 points behind championship leader Denny Hamlin. 

While that gap might seem insurmountable, anything can happen, and both Walker and Willard will be working with their teams to put together strong performances to potentially cap off the season as NASCAR champions. Only time will tell if one of these former Tigers will be helping their teams hoist the Bill France Cup in just eight weeks’ time.  

From dancing players to sold-out stadiums and nonstop entertainment, the Savannah Bananas World Tour has become known for creating unforgettable fan experiences. Behind the spectacle is a dedicated team of staff members and hundreds of Gameday Teammates who make every game possible.

Following her graduation from Clemson University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management in December 2025, Lucy Hart joined that team as a People Operations Intern, helping recruit and lead Gameday Teammates at stops across the World Tour.

Fans First Entertainment, the organization behind the Savannah Bananas, is known for prioritizing culture just as much as talent. The extensive interview process, which included multiple rounds of interviews and numerous pre-hiring projects, reflects that commitment.  

“They put a ton of effort into making sure the people they hire fit their culture and will serve fans well,” Hart said. 

Before joining the Bananas, Hart served as Destination Experiences Intern with VisitGreenvilleSC, where she recruited and managed volunteers for the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. That experience sparked her interest in pursuing the people operations role with the Bananas.

During the World Tour, Hart led the Bananas’ Gameday Teammates, local volunteers who assist with ticketing and merchandise, while helping create a welcoming experience for fans in each city.

“I love the nature of these two pretty unique roles,” Hart said. “There aren’t a lot of other jobs out there where you get to work with an entirely new set of people every day with the shared purpose of serving others throughout the day.”

People Operations Interns are among the first to arrive at each stadium. While other staff prepare the venue for fans, Hart’s team prepares it for the Gameday Teammates by setting up check-in, organizing credentials and name tags, distributing shirts and ensuring volunteers have everything they need before gates open.

“Our Gameday Teammates work with other Banana Ball staff, and while this may be their first day working with us, our crew has been grinding every weekend in a new city,” Hart said. “I like to make sure we are also supporting our Stand Leads and Ticket Road Warriors. If they are feeling supported and optimistic, then that energy will trickle down to the teammates.” 

That emphasis on supporting one another begins long before game day. According to Hart, the organization dedicates significant time to teaching its core values and ensuring every employee understands the mission.

“If everyone is making decisions throughout the day guided by the same principles, then ideally, we will all be working towards the same shared vision of putting the fans first and entertaining always,” Hart said. 

Hart encourages students hoping to work in sports to be intentional with every opportunity.

From working as a camp counselor to internships with VisitGreenvilleSC, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and the Savannah Bananas, Hart credits each role with preparing her for the next step in her career.

“Every experience that I have had has led me to the next step and then the next,” Hart said. “Trust the process and spend time truly thinking about what you love and what you are good at. The rest will come in time.” 

This fall, Hart will return to Clemson to pursue a Master of Public Administration while continuing to serve as Events Lead with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, bringing the lessons she learned on the road back to campus.

In honor of World Sports Journalists Day on July 2, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute highlights former writing intern and sports communication student at Clemson, Justin Robertson, who recently completed an editorial assistant internship with the Baltimore Ravens.

During his internship, Justin wrote stories for the Ravens’ website and app, edited staff content, oversaw publication workflows, and helped manage content presentation across the team’s digital platforms.

One project stood out above the rest: a feature on Ravens draft picks Elijah Sarratt and Josh Cuevas, two players who entered college as zero-star recruits before making it to the NFL.

“It was a difficult project but a very rewarding one that shed light on the obstacles that Sarratt and Cuevas had to overcome in their football journeys,” Robertson said.

Beyond developing his writing, editing, and interviewing skills, Robertson said his biggest takeaway was learning how to create content that stands out in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.

“With so many people competing for people’s attention, the Ravens’ digital media team does an excellent job of drawing in interest from both local and national audiences,” Robertson said.

To Robertson, sports journalism is about much more than reporting scores.

“Sports are often one of the few escapes from the negativity of a divided society,” Robertson said. “By reading stories, watching sports programming, or listening to sports podcasts, fans can gain a deeper understanding of their favorite players, coaches, teams, and leagues.”

Robertson encourages students interested in sports journalism to get involved in campus media, say “yes” to new opportunities, and build relationships through networking.

“There are only so many teams and regions to cover, and the traditional sports media industries are shrinking,” Robertson said. “However, there will always be a need for sports reporters, and if you try to take advantage of the opportunities you have as a student, you will have success.”

By Nathan Inman

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season kicked off in Daytona this past weekend, with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 taking place on Sunday. Among the field of 41 teams was one former Clemson Tiger pursuing a third consecutive Daytona 500 victory.

Landon Walker was an offensive tackle for the Tigers from 2008 until 2011 and was part of the 2010 squad that secured Dabo Swinney’s first ACC championship. Throughout his career, Walker played a total of 3,131 snaps, a record at the time, and now sits fifth on the all-time list of Clemson players. Throughout his life, Walker bled Clemson orange, as his father, Gary, was a former Clemson Tiger and part of the 1981 team that won Clemson its first National Championship.

When Walker graduated from Clemson in 2012, he had his sights set on the National Football League and intended to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. However, a failed physical, uncovering arthritis in his knee, brought his plans to a screeching halt. Walker eventually realized his days of playing football were behind him, but still, he refused to confine himself to a typical desk job. That’s when he received a phone call from Hendrick Motorsports.

Hendrick Motorsports is NASCAR’s most successful race team, with 320 race wins and 15 championships. Walker wasn’t being called to drive a race car – he was being asked to join the pit crew.

In a 2023 interview with The Tiger, Walker said that he was unsure of what to expect when he showed up to the team’s campus in Concord, North Carolina. 

“I really had kind of a very mild understanding of what it would be and kind of got into it with the right people at the right time,” Walker said.

Walker learned quickly that the training and preparation for pit crew members was not much different than what he had done his whole life while playing football. As he began his tryouts, he was fully prepared for the tests they threw his way.

“They were doing combines, which you do in football, and testing your running skills and your power skills. Really just an overall test to see how athletic you were.”

After Walker completed his tryouts, the team decided they liked what they were seeing and offered him a spot on the pit crew as a fueler. He accepted the offer and joined the team in September 2012, and he has been there ever since. Walker has achieved several feats during his 13 years with Hendrick Motorsports. For many years, though, there was one that seemed to slip away from him time and time again: The Daytona 500.

That changed in 2023, when his driver, William Byron, won that year’s running of The Great American Race. A year later, Byron would win the race once again, becoming just the fifth to win the race in back-to-back years.

“That’s a big win that everybody wants, to put that ring on your finger,” Walker said. “It’s one of the most coveted wins in our sport, kind of our Super Bowl.”

No driver has ever won the race in three consecutive years. Alas, that record still holds after this past weekend, as Byron was unable to defend his crown once more. Still, after over a decade in the sport without a win in the sport’s most coveted race, Walker cherishes the opportunity to have been part of the race-winning team twice over. 

As NASCAR revs into high gear and kicks off the 2026 season, Walker hopes to check one last box on his bucket list: becoming a NASCAR champion. There might be nine months until then, but come this November, it’s entirely possible this former Tiger might achieve just that.

By: Griffin Barfield

Sarah Buford graduated from Clemson in May 2025 with a B.S. in Marketing and a double minor in Accounting and Sports Communiction. She received the Markvan Bellamy Endowed Scholarship in Sports Marketing in 2024. During her time at the University, she worked with IPTAY and Clemson Athletics Marketing and Fan Experience teams.

How have you utlilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

I have utilized my Sports Communication minor to help with my career sports many times, especially when I speak with Season Ticket Holders about why they love coming to Drive games. Throughout the classes I took in my minor, sports being a unifying factor was always something we discussed, and it is very evident in my career.

What is your role, where, and what do you do?

Currently, I am an Account Executive at the Greenville Drive. My main responsibilities include working with our Season Ticket Holders, selling new season tickets, groups, and hospitality spaces, and creating relationships with people throughout the Greenville area.

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

Four days after graduating from Clemson, I began working at the Drive since baseball season had already started. It was a very quick transition, but I was able to jump in and start helping soon after because of the knowledge I gained from my time at Clemson and previous internships.

What advice would you give to future Brooks scholars as they approach post-grad?

My biggest piece of advice is to find a job that interests you and go for it because you never know what opportunities could come from it.

By: Griffin Barfield

Natalie Bell was a former Graphic Design intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson in the spring of 2025, she is now a Graphic Designer at FerebeeLane, an advertising agency in Greenville, South Carolina.

What does a job as a Graphic Designer look like?

I do a little bit of everything! I work with my fellow designers and the account team to strategically design anything from print ads to billboards to product labels to websites- and everything in between for our clients.

How have you taken what you have learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now?

Juggling multiple design projects and ideating unique opportunities to spread brand awareness with my fellow interns at the Institute gave me a great foundation for working alongside my colleagues now! 

What are your future plans looking like?

I am currently working on learning more in my field and becoming a stronger graphic designer and teammate.

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute?

This goes for any opportunity- but working with the Institute is what you make of it! I immersed myself with Institute projects and loved expanding my knowledge about sports science, so I felt like my senior year with the Institute was incredibly rewarding. I got to photograph the Clemson Men’s First Paralympic match game on Riggs Field, score Horse log books, and design signs and golf scorecards for RECESS. So dive in, and be ready for some great opportunities and new learnings.

By Katie Gerbasich

Grace O’Donnell was a former Editor/Events Assistant intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson, she is now working for Clemson Football in the recruiting department.

What does your job in the recruiting department with Clemson Football look like? 

One of the things I love most about my job is that no two days ever look the same. While we’re in season, a large part of the position is preparing for gameday when we have anywhere from 80 to 120 prospects and their guests coming to town. I’ll do event set up and take down, check guests in when they first arrive and gather some personal information for our records, direct guests once they’re inside the stadium and generally serve as a point of contact for them. When it’s not game day, there’s always a lot of office work to be done: sending out graphics to our guys, logging game day reports, creating new content to send out and much more. I really respect my boss’s and the hard work they’ve put into making Clemson recruiting one of the highest standards in the country.

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now?

The Institute set me up for success in ways I never could have imagined. Most of my previous work experience came from being Sports Editor of The Tiger, which is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. However, I began to feel like I had boxed myself into a corner with sports writing and I didn’t want that to be the only thing I did/only career field I could look into. When I interviewed with the Institute, they offered me a split role: Editor/Events Assistant so that I could start building experience on the event operations side. Our events lead, Kyler, did an amazing job setting everything up and working with vendors, and I loved watching her and gaining some insight. After helping with the inaugural RECESS Symposium, I knew my future lay in event operations and giving people the best game day experience possible.

What are your future plans looking like?

Once this season ends, I’ll be applying for a full time position in event operations with an NFL team or another college program. I love Clemson and the almost five years I’ve spent here, but I’m also super excited to take what I’ve learned here and bring it into the real world. I truly enjoy serving people and want to continue finding unique ways to do that in the world of football

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute?

Apply, apply, apply! The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute may sound like an intimidating place, but the people and the work could not be more fulfilling and welcoming. I don’t come from a strong STEM or research background, but the Institute found a role that was perfect for my strengths. Whether you’re a more hands-on, scientific person or someone studying marketing and communications, there’s a spot for you on the team. A huge shout out to Kayla, John, Taylor, Natalie, Kyler, Katie and all our RHBSSI fellows for making our Wednesday afternoon meetings something I genuinely looked forward to.

By Evelyn Lane

Melody Chambers graduated from Clemson in 2024 with a B.S. in Marketing and minors in Sports Communication and Brand Communications. She received the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship in 2024. During her time at Clemson, she worked with the Clemson University Athletic Department as a Clemson University Marketing Intern and a Client Services Intern.

How have you utilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

My degree has been invaluable in building the foundation for my career in sports. Courses like Sports Marketing I & II with Amanda Cooper Fine taught me the strategy behind brand partnerships, fan engagement, and sponsorship activation – all concepts I apply daily. Those classes, paired with real-world projects integrated into other core courses, helped me develop both the hard and soft skills needed to succeed in the industry.

What is your current role, where, and what do you do?

I am the Coordinator of Partnership Activation for the Milwaukee Brewers. I manage key relationships between our corporate partners and the club, helping bring their brands to life through on-site activations, in-stadium experiences, and community initiatives that connect with Brewers fans and the greater Milwaukee community. 

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

After graduating from Clemson, I pursued my MBA from the University of South Florida while working as a Partnerships Fellow with the Tampa Bay Lighting. I joined the Milwaukee Brewers full-time in July of 2025, where I now support our Partnership Activation team during an exciting time for the organization.  

What advice would you give to future Brooks scholars as they approach post-grad?

Be confident in your journey and trust the timing of your path. Take the time to build genuine relationships, ask thoughtful questions, and stay open to opportunities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. Lastly, keep showing up with curiosity, humility, and gratitude; it will take you farther than you ever expect. 

By Katie Gerbasich

Lauren Crumley was a former Events Lead intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson, she is now a Corporate Partnerships Associate for USRowing, the national governing body for rowing in the US.

What does your job as a Corporate Partnerships Associate look like? 

I get to work with a lot of different people both inside and outside of USRowing in my role. Internally, I am on the development team where our primary focus is growing USRowing resources especially as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics. I also work very closely with our marketing and communications and competition teams. With the marketing and communications team, I work to ensure all of our partner deliverables are met (email marketing, social media etc). I also manage all of our vendors and sponsors at our regional and national championship regattas so I work very closely with our competition team for that. Externally, we have a wide range of sponsors at USRowing who I get to work with. We talk frequently with our sponsors to manage and strengthen our partnership. 

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now? 

My internship at the Institute was in events, which is an area I have a lot of touchpoint with in my role. Events have a lot of moving parts and different stakeholders, and handling that is something that the Institute helped me learn and that I take into my work now.

What are your future plans looking like? 

We’re very excited at USRowing for the Olympics to be in the US in less than three years and to have our national team competing on the world stage in LA. A lot of organizational strategy and work comes with that focus and look to the future.

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute? 

Apply for an internship with the Institute. The ability to have an internship during the semester on campus while taking classes is rare and not necessarily available at a lot of places like it is at Clemson, so definitely take advantage.

By Evelyn Lane

Scarlett Lawhorne graduated from Clemson in 2021 with a degree in Recreational Therapy. She received the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship in 2020. During her time at Clemson, she interned with Clemson Campus Recreation as a fitness assistant and a recreation specialist to help grow her skills in the recreational therapy field.

How have you utilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

Recreational therapy enhances my role by helping me design inclusive programs that support physical, emotional, and social well-being.  I use therapeutic recreation techniques to adapt activities so that individuals of all abilities can participate fully and confidently. Whether it’s through adaptive sports, inclusive camps, or community events, I focus on creating environments where everyone feels valued and engaged. This approach strengthens community connections and aligns with the core mission of parks and recreation — to serve all.

What is your current role and where are you located?

As the Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Coordinator for Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Recourses in Florida, I use recreational therapy to design and deliver programs that promote inclusion, wellness, and community connection. Through the P.A.I.R. program’s five pillars — Adaptive Recreation, Para Sports, RECreate Your Mind: Mental Health Awareness, Cultural and Consciousness Programming, and Accessible Recreation — I apply therapeutic recreation strategies to meet diverse needs and remove barriers to participation. Recreational therapy is not just a tool — it’s the foundation for building a more inclusive parks and recreation system.

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

Since graduating, I’ve had the privilege of working with Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, where I’ve grown both personally and professionally. Starting my career here allowed me to dive directly into inclusive programming and community engagement. Over the years, I’ve developed and led initiatives through the P.A.I.R. program, focusing on accessibility, adaptive sports, mental health, and cultural awareness. Along the way, I’ve built strong relationships with coworkers, community partners, and participants — all of whom have shaped and inspired my work. It’s been a rewarding journey rooted in service, innovation, and a passion for creating spaces where everyone belongs.

What advice would you give to future Brooks Scholars as they approach post-grad?

As you step into your career, stay open to learning and lean into every opportunity to grow — even the small ones. Build genuine connections with your coworkers and community; those relationships will become your greatest support system and source of inspiration. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try new things, and advocate for inclusion wherever you go. Most importantly, remember that your passion and purpose will guide you — trust it. Keep learning, stay curious, and remember: impact often starts with simply being present.