Category: Clemson Programs

Clemson Formula SAE (CUFSAE) is a student-run organization dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and competing with a formula-style race car. Clemson FSAE competes on an international level through events hosted by SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers. Each year, they design and build a new vehicle from the ground up that meets the competition rules and pushes for innovation. The summer and fall are spent designing the new vehicle, which is then built in the spring. Throughout the year, the team also travels to different competitions to compete against other teams from all over the world.

From engineering to marketing to financial planning to graphic design, CUFSAE strives to provide students from all backgrounds with hands-on and real-world experiences. The team is broken down into six divisions, including business, aerodynamics, chassis, electrical, powertrain, and suspension, that collaborate in a fluid and integration-focused manner to create the finished product. The business division gives students the opportunity to gain experience running a small business by dealing with recruitment, sponsorship relationship management, and finances. On the engineering side, the aerodynamics division is responsible for the car components that harness the air around the moving vehicle; the chassis division is responsible for the chassis of the vehicle, as well as the ergonomics and braking subsystems; the electrical division is responsible for the electrical components, mainly the electrical harness; the powertrain division is in charge of the vehicle’s engine and all of the subsystems that harness the power it generates; and finally, the suspension division is responsible for how the car handles and controlling the interactions between the tires and the ground.  Working closely with Clemson’s Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Science, Graphic Communications Department, and the Facilities Department, CUFSAE provides students with the tools to learn relevant skills while exploring the possibilities of employment in the automotive industry.

The Competitions

During the competitions, each team is judged on their engineering skills and ideas as well as production quality through a design review. The design review is hosted by a panel of industry engineers specializing in a variety of automotive fields. The vehicle must go through a rigorous technical inspection along with tilt, sound, and brake testing before it is allowed to compete. The drivers must also prove they have all the required safety gear and the ability to egress the car quickly. The dynamic portion of the competition includes acceleration, skidpad, autocross, and endurance events. Lastly, each team is scored based on their vehicle cost report as well as a business marketing presentation. Each competition is an incredible experience showcasing the preparedness and camaraderie it takes to compete in the automotive world.

The Formula SAE series was developed as a way for student’s to put their classroom knowledge into motion. The competitions are primarily engineering-based but have expanded to include all aspects of racing, including the business side.

Finding Success

The Clemson Formula SAE has found much success this year. In November, the CUFSAE team traveled to Kennesaw State University in Barnesville, GA, for the Barnesville Shootout. Among the four competing teams, Clemson FSAE emerged victorious, securing a well-deserved 1st place. Bringing both of their cars, the Tiger 22 and 23, to the competition, they were able to  showcase their dedication and craftsmanship from the past two years. The event not only celebrated success on the track but also served as a platform for new drivers to gain valuable experience during the driver trials competition. With 35 members, a mix of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers, the team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and skill, making this competition a standout moment in their racing season.

Season highlight performances:

In October, the Clemson FSAE team secured another victory at Michelin’s first-ever Formula SAE event, the Michelin Formula SAE Shootout. They came in 1st out of 6 teams in the Internal Combustion (IC) Class and also won 1st place overall. Additionally, back in September of this year, the team competed at the Pittsburgh International Raceway in the 2023 Pittsburgh Shootout, placing 7th out of 30 for the IC-class. The CUFSAE team is still in the process of testing and refining their car in preparation for the premier competition, the Formula SAE Michigan, taking place on May 8-11, 2024.

Additional highlights:

2018 Pittsburgh Shootout – 3rd Place
2018 Barnesville Match Race – 1st Place
2019 Formula South – 1st Place
2019 Michigan Int. SAE – 18th Place
2022 Formula South – 1st Place
2022 Michigan Int. FSAE – 36th Place
2023 Michigan Int. FSAE – 39th Place

Behind the scenes, the success of the Tiger 23 is largely attributed to the unwavering support of sponsors who have played a crucial role in shaping the car’s capabilities. The team has expressed heartfelt appreciation for these sponsors, including the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. Their success has not only showcased their skill on the track but has also highlighted the collaborative spirit and dedication that fuels a winning team in automotive engineering. We congratulate the Clemson FSAE team on the success they have accomplished so far and wish them luck with the rest of their competition season!

Be sure to follow the Clemson Formula SAE team on Facebook and LinkedIn @ClemsonFormulaSAE to stay up-to-date on the amazing things they are doing.

By Kirsten Windbiel, a Master’s Student in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management major

Clemson University Paralympic Soccer announces the signing of two additional Fall 2021 recruits, Kevin George McCandlish and Gavin Kohner, who will join Shea Hammond and Tim Huff with the Paralympic Soccer Residential Training Program (RTP). Clemson’s RTP is a unique opportunity for athletes with disabilities and allows players to continue playing collegiate soccer while earning their college degree. Players earn in-state tuition wa iver in the form of an athletic scholarship and will train weekly with the team. Players will seek to excel on the field with team training, personal development training and strength and conditioning, as the program seeks to prepare players for the US Para National team. This distinctive program, the only one in the country, is paving the way for soccer players with disabilities in the United States.

Signing Athlete Bios:

Kevin George McCandlish

Kevin comes to Clemson from Virginia and plans to pursue his degree in the Sports Management program. He started playing soccer when he was around 3 years old. In his early years, McCandlish simply enjoyed the sport for fun. He couldn’t imagine where it has led him today. By 9, McCandlish started to take soccer more seriously and joined his first travel team. In 2017, he got the chance to start playing for the U.S. Paralympic National Team (USPNT). Ever since 2017, McCandlish’s view of soccer and life dreams changed drastically. Kevin has Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP), which affects the right side of his body. The CP affects his speed and ability to use both feet – obstacles McClandlish has overcome in his journey.

He is excited to play for Clemson with players who are similar to him.

“It’s nice to finally be able to train with them every day instead of only being able to for a week every now and then with the national team.,” McClandlish said. “This is going to help us build better chemistry on and off the field.”

Welcome to Clemson University, Kevin!

Gavin Kohner

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Gavin Kohner plans to study Business Accounting at Clemson and later pursue law school. Joining Clemson is a childhood dream for Kohner.

“It has been my dream since 8th grade to attend Clemson and play soccer at the collegiate level through the parasoccer program,” Kohner said. “I am extremely grateful to receive the scholarship and have worked hard to get here. I am excited to join fellow teammates and get out on the field!”

Growing up, soccer was always something Kohner looked forward to playing at the end of the day. Soccer was great stress-relief for him. Kohner also has cerebral palsy, resulting in hemiparesis on his right side. One of the barriers Kohner has overcome — in both life and soccer — is increased injury and discomfort to his body compensating for his disability. As a result, he has dedicated more time and effort into stretching and taking care of his body. In addition, Kohner focuses on intentional training, recovery, and nutrition.

“My goals are to grow and excel both on and off the field and academically,” Kohner said. “One of my dreams is to join the USPNT as both a consistent and strong team player.”

Welcome to Clemson, Gavin!

For more information regarding the Clemson Paralympic Soccer Program, visit http://clemsonparalympicsoccer.org or follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @cuparasoccer for updates.

By Marissa Kuula, a senior Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management major, focusing on Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management

Clemson Paralympic Soccer is a program run through Clemson University to provide soccer programming for various populations with disabilities. Their programs seek to improve the quality of life through their Residential Training Program, VA Adaptive Soccer Camps, Tutor, Talk and Train Program, Additional Adaptive Sport Opportunities such as 5-a-side Blind Soccer, 7-a-side Para Soccer, and adaptive weight training sessions, and continuing research and education. One of the programs from which many of the others have grown from has been funded by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs the last 5 years and supports veterans with disabilities to experience adaptive Soccer.  In partnership with US Soccer, we are able to provide veteran participants with a US Soccer grassroots coaching certification, a mental health first aid certification and provide them with an overview of a number of the adaptive soccer programs growing around the country. We followed up with some of their past participants to see how this camp has impacted their life. 

Christian Gay: U.S. Army Veteran 

Residing in Colorado, Christian previously lived in Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Kuwait, and Iraq over the course of his service in the Army National Guard. Crossing paths with US Men’s Paralympic Soccer team coach, Stuart Sharp, at the Eastern and Southern Regional TOPSoccer Conference, he was told about Clemson Paralympic Soccer’s veteran

s soccer camps. In regard to his participation in camp, Christian expressed that “I loved learning about new ways to coach players with special needs and being with other veterans.” When asked what he took away from the camp experience, Christian stated, “there is always a way for everyone to be able to play and love soccer.” This sentiment was taken beyond camp. Christian then went on to coach in

his community, utilizing a U.S. Soccer Coaching Certification that is provided at camp. One of his astonishing accomplishments has been the role of the TOP Soccer program for Desoto Soccer Association. TOPSoccer is a community-based training program for athletes with intellectual, emotional, and or physical disabilities. The program strives to provide soccer opportunities for players to develop at their own pace in a safe, fun, and supportive/inclusive environment. While working as VP of TOPSoccer in the Desoto Soccer Association, Christian loves working with the kids in the program, stating that “being with the kids was more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”

Al Marconi: U.S. Naval Reserves Veteran 

Currently living in California, Al served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for six years and the U.S. Army Reserves for fourteen years. Over the course of his service, he lived all over the continental United States, in multiple Mediterranean Sea ports, and in parts of the Caribbean. Hearing about the Clemson veteran soccer camp program from the physical therapist at his VA hospital, Al enjoyed the “thoroughness of the content taught at camp and the friendly and non-stressful demeanor of the instructors.”

In addition to lessons regarding adaptive soccer coaching, participants also go through Mental Health

First Aid training, which teaches them how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. From this training, Al expressed that he “learned to be attuned to the feelings and emotional mind sets of those around me”. Al is now a volunteer with the Recreation Department of the Jerry Pettis memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, California and is a player and coach of an all-veteran Power Soccer team in Hemet, California. In regard to the position of volunteer with the VA Recreation department, AL assists the staff of Recreation Therapists in providing daily activities and community re-entry opportunities for the veterans in the convalescent, rehabilitation, dementia, and palliative care units of the VA hospital. When acting as a player and a coach for the Power Soccer team, Al assists the head coach by helping structure team practices, utilizing knowledge gained from Clemson veteran camp participation to aid in gameplay and practice direction.

Paige McCune: Recreational Therapist, The Center

Paige McCune works at an adaptive recreation facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended Clemson Paralympic Soccer’s 4th virtual camp in 2020. Clemson Paralympic Soccer VA camps not only cater to veterans, but allow other adaptive recreation professionals that work with veterans to attend. Paige attended one of the recent Zoom online camps hosted by the program and stated that she enjoyed “learning about different styles of adaptive soccer, meeting other professionals in the field, and how that despite being online, the camp was still hands on and active.” Following camp, Paige expressed interest in expanding her facility’s current offering of Power Soccer to include blind and CP soccer. When asked what future goals she had in regard to the program she works with, Paige stated that “In the future I foresee that I will still be the coach (of the power soccer program), will lead practices, and will develop programming accordingly. The program also has goals of reaching out to and connecting with a handful of soccer communities in the area.” A major takeaway from camp for Paige was that “it doesn’t matter where we start, but that we started. Soccer can be for all levels and ages.”

Clemson Paralympic Soccer is so grateful for all of the amazing participants that they get the honor to work with and serve. Whether at an in-person camp or virtual, the camps offer a number of great opportunities and interactive sessions that they hope participants will be able to utilize back in their communities, whether that’s coaching on a soccer team or being an advocate for disability soccer. Clemson Paralympic Soccer will continue to host virtual camps for veterans and professionals through the Spring of 2021, and hope to be back out on the field shortly after!

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For more information regarding the Clemson Paralympic Soccer Program and VA Adaptive Soccer Camps, visit http://clemsonparalympicsoccer.org or follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @cuparasoccer for updates.

By: Makenzie Camlin

This is it, your time to shine. You have never touched a soccer ball before but here you are staring at it head on hoping that your dribbling, shooting, and juggling are up to par with those right beside you on Zoom joining from all around the world. Then, you realize that being perfect does not matter at all. Not only are you in a free space where learning and growing is the most important thing, but those around you know exactly what you are going through. It does not matter whether you have never touched a soccer ball or if you have been playing since you were five. All that matters is that you are meeting new people, having a good time, and learning new skills.

This is the exact situation that was created for participants on October 4, 2020 during the World CP Day celebration. Regardless of whether participants were lifelong soccer players or had never touched a soccer ball, the program and sport gave them a way to unite with those who have the same disability, cerebral palsy. For these athletes, soccer continuously serves as a way to connect with others in different ways than their CP. Ashley Hammond, co-founder of CP Soccer and commentator of the World CP Day program stated, “being ‘different’ is handled by all of us in different ways – sometimes we choose to be different, but when you are disabled, you don’t get to choose that. This can lead to a sense of helplessness and anger among other things. Doing ‘normal’ things like other kids do is crucial to bridge that gap between doing and can’t or won’t.”

With the goal of giving these athletes access to this wonderful sport, Clemson University Paralympic Soccer, directed by Skye Arthur-Banning, a RHBSSI Faculty Fellow, partnered with the International Federation of CP Football (IFCPF), U.S. Soccer, and CP Soccer to host a World CP Day event for athletes with Cerebral Palsy (CP) from different countries. This national celebration began in 2012 and has continued to grow in its efforts to bring awareness to and celebrate those living with CP. This year, over 75 countries were involved with this worldwide celebration held to recognize and encourage the 17 million people living with cerebral palsy.

Clemson University Paralympic Soccer and partners not only brought more awareness to CP through the event, but to adaptive soccer. The event included many guest speakers, an international training session, and a time to come together with athletes with CP to prove they #CanPlay. There were over 200 participants from six different continents on the Zoom feed that followed along and over 7,000 hits on Facebook Live. To market the celebration, each organization that partnered together used their social media platforms to advertise the event internationally to worldwide CP soccer connections with the goal of unifying soccer players from around the world living with CP.

This event included competitions among the athletes that were skill based such as dribbling, shooting, juggling and passing. To make it more exciting, featured coaches from all over the world were on the feed watching participants complete these skills, and they chose players at every level to receive recognition. In addition to the physical training, participants received encouragement through interviews conducted with special guests who also have cerebral palsy. Some featured guests included: Bonner Paddock, Abbey Curran, Shea Hammond, Bryan Kilpatrick Elliot and Tommy Chasanoff. “Our guest speakers added a very special and inspirational element. The speakers were phenomenal an were able to support the athletes by giving them life advice and sharing part of their stories of growing up with CP,” said Kirsten Windbiel, a graduate student with Clemson Paralympic Soccer.

Bonner Paddock was one of the keynote speakers, in which he encouraged the participants to, “love yourself exactly as you are. You’re perfect and you’re beautiful.” Abbey Curran was another guest speaker, who shared her experience in becoming the first contestant with a disability to win a major beauty pageant. After earning the title of Miss Iowa, she went on to compete in Miss USA and later on to write, “The Courage to Compete: Living with Cerebral Palsy and Following My Dreams.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many would think that this would stop the annual celebration, but Cerebral Palsy cannot stop these athletes, and neither can COVID-19. The online format of the program presented some challenges, such as the many different time zones and languages, as 31 different countries were represented. However, even with these obstacles, the online format allowed the program to continue. While this year’s participation was much higher than expected, Ashley Hammond says that the goal for next year is to have 50 countries represented. In his words, “Think big!”