Category: Student Spotlights

By Griffin Barfield

As the spring semester continues to pick up, so do the actions of the students of Clemson Formula SAE (CUFSAE), who are preparing for important events in April and May. 

CUFSAE is a student race team that focuses on design, fabrication and competition of an open-wheeled, formula style race car. The team competes in the Society of Automotive Engineers student design competition.

In addition to the formulation of a race car, students have to work in all other facets of the racing business, including team management, public relations and sponsor procurement. The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is proud to sponsor CUFSAE for another year. 

For Clemson’s team, their sights are on the Michigan FSAE Competition in May for the planning and the creation of the racecar, called Tiger 25, where they will race at the Michigan International Speedway. 

Student members of CUFSAE can join five different divisions: aerodynamics, business, chassis, electrical, powertrain and suspension. 

The team lead of the group is Grant Harley, who is studying Electrical and Computer Engineering in his first year of graduate school at Clemson. One of Harley’s main focuses is to keep the team focused on the design timeline for the car. In doing so, he sets weekly meetings with the leadership team and remains in contact with the Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty advisor. 

“The biggest thing I have to do before our car release is make sure the car is following the necessary production timeline and keeping the entire team on the same page about what needs to be done and when it needs to be done,” Harley said. 

A Charleston native, Harley is also a part of the electrical team, where he helps design the brake system plausibility device (BSPD) – a safety component that shuts the car off if the throttle position or brake pressure stop reading. 

“This helps protect the driver in the case of a malfunction in the car and protects the car from dangerous operating procedures,” Harley said. 

Harley works closely with Vehicle Operations Manager, Cameron Boerst, a Mechanical Engineering junior with an Electrical Engineering minor. Boerst’s job focuses on test-day operations, planning when the car will run, whether on or off campus.

“This requires communication and planning between divisions to make sure the rear and front wings are ready, the electronics are working, the powertrain is running, and the suspension is tuned for a day of running,” Boerst said. 

Another Charleston native, Boerst is also designing the drivetrain of the car, which is what he looks forward to the most out of this project.

“The drivetrain is responsible for delivering power from the engine to the hubs of the rear wheels,” Boerst explained. “This includes a lot of CAD modeling in SolidWorks paired with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on the forces experienced by the drivetrain.”

No matter how strong the engine may be, suspension is incredibly important to the car’s success. This is led by fellow junior mechanical engineer and recent Brooks Scholar, Peter Gaspich, an inaugural member of the new class of automotive engineers at Clemson. Gaspich and his team focus on manufacturing and testing of the car’s suspension system ahead of the May event.

“In other words, my goal is to ensure that the driver can get optimal performance from the tires and maximize grip throughout each lap, as maintaining grip to the road is the most essential part of a fast lap time,” Gaspich said. “No matter how powerful the engine is, it won’t be going anywhere very fast if it’s just spinning tires.”

The Greenville native also has one of the most important tasks on race day: constantly studying the car’s responses and making needed changes to the car to help the driver with the ride. 

At this point in the semester, the suspension team is working on manufacturing all of the suspension parts, something that Gaspich heavily takes part in.

“This includes outlining manufacturing plans, training new members on shop equipment, coordinating with sponsors to outsource the manufacturing of more complex components and spending late nights at the shop with my closest friends!” he said. 

With a project as big as designing and building a formula race car, it’s the little steps that count. For Harley, he is most looking forward to seeing the car run on its own for the first time. 

“I am most looking forward to the first time the car runs under its own power,” he said. “It’s an extremely fulfilling moment watching this project that you’ve spent almost a year designing and building culminate into this one moment.”

Every week means the team is one step closer to the first race. With March beginning, it’s crunch time for CUFSAE. The team hopes to see successes similar to, or greater than, last year’s Tiger 24 design.

From Gaspich’s perspective, as well as many others on the team, the opportunity to work on an ongoing project to present it in front of 119 other schools is something that the classroom doesn’t provide. 

“I cannot express enough how important being involved in Formula SAE is to anyone interested in a career in motorsports, or even engineering in-general, as engineering is so much more than what you learn in the classroom,” Gaspich said. 

Whether participating as a passion project or looking for experience for a future job in the motorsports industry, all eyes look to May where Tiger 25 will be racing on asphalt that has hosted NASCAR and IndyCar events. 

By: Griffin Barfield

It’s not only the varsity sports on Clemson’s campus that leave lasting impacts on students. Even before stepping foot on campus as a student, senior Psychology major, Sydney Lavin, wanted collegiate swimming to be a part of her Tiger tenure. 

While Clemson does not hold a varsity program for swimming, Lavin knew about Clemson Club Swim – a team that would come to have a lasting impact on her life.

As a freshman looking for things to do outside of class, swim club was the first thing on her mind. From a recreational standpoint, she would be able to continue a passion of hers while connecting with other students on campus.

“I always knew that I wanted to swim during college, but not varsity since it’s so

competitive, so Clemson Club Swim was perfect!” Lavin said. “I remember at Tiger Prowl freshman year, my only goal was to find the club swim table, and I’m so glad I did because it’s seriously been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Immediately, she was plugged in. Not even a year into swimming with the club, Lavin found the opportunity to do more: coaching a local club team in the area. 

Now, she serves as the assistant coach for the Foothills Area YMCA’s (FAY) club team, coaching young swimmers in Seneca, South Carolina, where she has been for the last three years. 

“I’ve always thought that coaching would be fun, so it’s been the best job for me!” Lavin said.  “There’s definitely been a learning curve because I had never coached before, but it’s taught me so many lessons and life skills.”

When she first began with FAY, Lavin taught the youngest group, ranging from 6-10 years old. Now, she teaches the level above, ranging from ages 9-13. She describes the job as a “learning experience.”

Her work off campus has translated to the pool at Clemson’s Fike Recreation Center, where she has coached various practices over the years for the club team. In addition to coaching, Lavin has served as Clemson Club Swim’s treasurer for the past two years, managing the club’s budget and finances. 

However, her biggest takeaway from her four years with the team has been the interpersonal skills that she has developed with these positions. 

“I have the best group of friends from this club,” Lavin said, “but I’ve also had to learn how to communicate with University staff and others outside of the University on things like space reservations, banking, and equipment rentals for our home meet.”

These skills are important to Lavin, who is graduating this spring but plans to continue her education. She intends on pursuing a graduate degree in psychology with an Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology concentration. She would like to go into I/O psychology consulting with collegiate athletic programs or institutions. 

Lavin also hopes to continue to coach if her post-graduate studies allow. Nevertheless, this recreational sport has provided her with a skillset that will translate into the real world, and for Lavin, the field of psychology.

“I love club sports because it’s that perfect middle ground of recreation and competition, another reason why Clemson Club Swim has been so good!” Lavin said. “This position has also been helpful in pursuing a career in consulting because of the communication and analytical skills required for the job.”

As part of undergraduate studies in psychology, Lavin works on a Creative Inquiry team with RHBSSI fellow, Marissa Shuffler, Ph.D., on her Institute-funded grant work developing teams in the context of NCAA sports.

By Griffin Barfield

Coming into the new year of 2025, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute welcomes four new and one returning student intern for the spring 2025 semester. The five come with outstanding backgrounds, looking to bring new ideas and advances to the Institute. 

Griffin Barfield 

Griffin Barfield is a junior Communication major and Spanish minor from Oceanport, NJ. He is the lead writer and editing intern for the Institute for the spring semester. This role involves providing the University with content about breakthroughs in the sports science community that are occurring at Clemson, interviewing students and faculty about the endeavors. 

“I’m excited to get going with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute,” Barfield said. “I’m looking forward to writing about unique advances that are occurring right here on campus and the people behind them.”

In addition to writing with RHBSSI this semester, Barfield is the current sports editor of The Tiger, Clemson student newspaper. While managing a newsroom of over 23 reporters, his experience in this role will help look deeper into the people behind the advances in the sport science world, hoping to tell a one-of-a-kind story. 

Evelyn Lane

Evelyn Lane is from Piedmont, SC and is a junior Marketing major with a minor in Spanish. She is the Institute’s communications lead, creating content for the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute’s social media handles. 

“I am so excited to work with RHBSSI to help promote the Institute and all of the amazing things they do for the faculty, students, and university as a whole,” Lane said. “I am looking forward to continuing to improve my skills in marketing communications and social media strategy, as well as work with my fellow interns and see all the things we will be able to accomplish together.”

Lane previously worked with Cadency, Clemson University’s student-led brand agency, for the last two years. While working with the agency’s social media account and brand strategy, she will look to bring that experience to the Institute in the spring semester. 

Natalie Bell

Natalie Bell is a senior Graphic Communications major with a minor in Brand Communications from Greenville, SC. Returning from the fall semester, she will continue her work as the lead graphic design intern in the spring with the Institute, creating visual media to benefit sports science efforts at Clemson. 

“I am excited to return as the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute graphic design lead!” Bell said. “I loved my experience as a RHBSSI intern last fall. I look forward to seeing how I can further apply my graphic design skills to our events and promotional materials.”

Bell returns with the skills gained from the Institute a semester ago, where she will build off of her work from the fall. She is also currently the creative director in Cadency, looking to continue to use experience from her work there to enhance the Institute. 

Nicole Souza

Nicole Souza is a senior Bioengineering major from Duxbury, MA. She will serve as the technical communications specialist, acting as the technical knowledge base for concepts and technologies related to the events in sports science. She will also help with getting a firsthand look at the hard work that happens behind the scenes of these endeavors. 

“I’m really looking forward to working with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute,” Souza said. “It’s just a unique opportunity to collaborate with students from across campus and help share the Institute’s mission.”

Previously, Souza spent time in the industry through valuable internship experiences, working with medical devices and pharmaceutical companies. It has allowed her to receive a strong, technical foundation in science and engineering, which will help recognize the actions that are being done in the field of sports science. 

Keeleigh Bush

Keeleigh Bush is from Rutherfordton, NC and is a senior Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management major with an emphasis in Tourism and Event Management. She is the events lead intern for the spring semester, arranging events over the course of the upcoming months. 

“I am extremely excited to get started this semester as the Events lead for the RHBSSI!” Bush said. “This is such an incredible opportunity to expand my network, and apply the skills and experience I have learned over the past three years. I’m looking forward to working with the team and being hands-on this semester.” 

Bush also serves as the public relations chair for the Clemson Event Planners Association. With this role, she will use her experience to help plan exciting events for RHBSSI to hold over the course of the spring semester. 

By Katie Gerbasich

As another semester ends, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute says goodbye to four interns. These students helped curate content, plan events and spread the message of the Institute. The Fall 2024 intern class shares their highlights and future plans.

Kyler Blose, Events Lead 

1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI? 

My favorite experience was RECESS. I’d never done anything like that before, and I knew this was different because it catered to people helping push me toward my new career, and I wanted it to be impactful. It ended up being such a fun night, and I was able to network and oversee the event while actively participating in the experience demos that were presented. My favorite memory is the clean-up after our holiday party; this team makes it so easy to laugh and have fun that the work doesn’t feel like work. Listening to Christmas music, hanging out with the team, and enjoying my last few days as a Clemson student made the whole experience special.

2. What advice would you give to future interns? 

The biggest thing is to keep an open mind and never doubt your abilities. Accepting new challenges was the only way I could grow, and I gained so many important skills that I have since carried with me into the next chapter of my life. Ask as many questions as possible and never be afraid to ask others for opinions or ideas; collaboration is really important, and knowing how to work with others on business-style projects is a skill that will make life much easier when you enter your specific career field. 

3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals? 

Before joining RHBSSI, I was a Recreation Intern at the City of Easley Parks and Recreation Department, where I helped with large-scale events, community program initiatives, and the basics of recreation management. Coming to RHBSSI helped me expand on the skills and knowledge I gained during my time with the Easley Rec team; I could apply what I learned previously to a new assignment, be extremely hands-on with my events and act as one of the main voices. During my time with RHBSSI, I could also practice my vendor coordination skills, hone my professional language and establish career goals for myself. 

4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.) 

After my December graduation, I will join the City of Clemson Parks and Recreation Department as their new Community Programs Coordinator. I will be making my four-year stay in Clemson a little more permanent, staying close to the different University departments, and exploring life as a Clemson resident. I am so excited for this next chapter of my life, but I will miss being an intern with RHBSSI; this has been such a wonderful experience, and I could not recommend it enough! 

Taylor Erdman, Communications Lead 

1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI? 

My favorite memory would have to be helping to organize and promote RECESS, our inaugural sports science symposium! It was inspiring to see so many talented individuals come together to share their passion for sports science. Not only was the event fun and educational, but it also brought our team of interns closer together.

2. What advice would you give to future interns? 

Be proactive! Take the initiative to suggest ideas, whether for social media, events or other projects. The Institute is a place where creativity and innovation are valued, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals? 

Working for RHBSSI has given me hands-on experience in managing a social media account, a skill that’s invaluable within the sports communication industry. My involvement with the Institute has also deepened my understanding of the intersection between sports, science and communication, which I hope to leverage in future roles.

4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.) 

Next semester, I’ll be interning full-time for the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame as their Digital Content Creator/Marketing Intern. I’ll be graduating in May, hoping to pursue a career in sports media or public relations.

Grace O’Donnell, Writer/Editor

1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?  

This is probably going to be everyone’s answer, but RECESS for sure. I loved meeting so many new people with shared interests, and had a genuinely fun time doing set up and tear down with the team. The event was a huge success too and I am so proud to be part of the inaugural one!

2. What advice would you give to future interns? 

Future interns – become friends with your teammates! It’s so much easier to get things done when you’re all on the same page, and when you truly look forward to meetings because you know you’re going to have fun it makes a world of difference. 

3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals? 

RHBSSI has been my favorite internship EVER! John and Kayla are the best bosses and showed me how parts of the professional world work. RHBSSI has helped improve my interview skills and translating those rough interview transcripts into impactful stories, and helped me realize that my truest passion lay in sports journalism. 

4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.) 

After I graduate this December, I plan to stay in Clemson for the spring semester and start the job hunt while continuing to work part time at Rick Erwin’s. I love the Clemson community so much, and I’ll never really be ready to say goodbye. I’m looking for any jobs in the world of football, specifically writing focused, but I’ll take anything that keeps me involved with the sport that I love so much.

Katie Gerbasich, Events and Writing Assistant 

1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?  

I really enjoyed the holiday Christmas party. It is was such a nice way to end the semester. I got to spend the event hanging out with my fellow interns for the last time. The decorations were so cool from Brooksland to the cookie decorating, it was adorable. Then we got to watch the sunset over Watt with hot chocolate. Even, tearing down after the event was fun because of the people there. 

2. What advice would you give to future interns? 

Go to as many events as possible! The RHBSSI sponsors a lot of guest speakers and even if the speaker doesn’t align with your goals there is still information to be gained. Everyone has a unique story and insights. They want to help you. Going to these events are also a great way to build connections. 

3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals? 

RHBSSI has definitely helped me build my professional communication skills. I’ve been able to build a greater network for future endevors. It has also helped me realize all that is entailed within Sports Science. There are so many disciplines or fields one could go into. This has been so exciting to learn about and something I’m interested in pursuing. 

4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.) 

Next semester I will be a Clemson Baseball Analytics Intern. I heard about this position through RHBSSI and I am so excited to learn more about the side of sports. Analytics has always been a passion of mine. I hope to eventually have a career in sports analytics or communications. 

Natalie Bell, Graphic Designer

1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?  

My favorite memory was RECESS! The team and I worked so hard for months on logistics and graphics, so it was very rewarding to see the event come together. It was a huge success and it was very rewarding to see attendees use collateral that I designed.

2. What advice would you give to future interns? 

Set up a project management system early! Excel was a perfect way to keep track of all my internship assignments and due dates.

3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals? 

RHBSSI has given me experience in a completely different area of marketing than I was used to. I have always worked on the business side of marketing, so it was a fun experience getting to work on marketing sports-related events and research!

4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.) 

I will graduate in May of 2025, and I hope to work at an agency as a graphic designer!

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A Note from RHBSSI Leadership

We wish to thank our fall students for their hard work and dedication this semester! They put in some long hours for our RECESS Symposium and took the lead on a variety of projects.

Looking ahead, the Institute will welcome one returning and four new Clemson students to the intern team for Spring 2025:

• Graphic Designer – Natalie Bell, Department of Graphic Communications (returning)
• Events Lead – Keeleigh Bush, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
• Communications Lead – Evelyn Lane, Department of Marketing
• Writer/Editor – Griffin Barfield, Department of Communication
• *New* Technical Communications Specialist – Nicole Souza, Department of Bioengineering

We are looking forward to a great semester ahead.

Sincerely, John DesJardins and Kayla Rogers

In 2023, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute launched an internship program for students interested in sports communication and event management. Since then, the program has increased the number of interns each semester to help promote the mission of the Institute. Many of those interns have recently graduated and have shared how Clemson University and RHBSSI have helped their postgraduate careers.

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Fall 2023

Kayla FitzWilliam, Communications Intern

Where are you now?
I am currently in the Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management Program at the University of South Florida getting my M.B.A and M.S. in Sport and Entertainment. I have a fellowship with USF Bulls Club (which is the donor arm of USF athletics, similar to IPTAY)  and am a graduate assistant with the College of Business. 

What has been your proudest project or accomplishment since graduation?
I just graduated in May, but so far, I would say making it into this grad program is something I’m very proud of. The VSEM program is ranked the 3^rd best sports postgraduate program in the world. Even in the short time I’ve been in this program, I have had the opportunity to meet and network with some of the top leaders in the sports industry and gain experience in a multitude of areas.

How did Clemson help you in your career now?
Many of the classes I took at Clemson have made the transition to graduate-level classes much easier. Having to take classes outside of my major as a business student at Clemson prepared me for the variety of classes I now take in grad school. Outside of the classroom, the opportunities and organizations I got involved with at Clemson not only helped me grow as a professional but as an effective communicator and teammate as well.

What skills or experience gained from your internship with RHBSSI do you find most valuable now?
In my internship with RHBSSI, I gained valuable experience in communication, content creation, and audience engagement. Having the opportunity to explore different areas, including event planning, social media, and communications, gave me experience that I have been able to utilize in my current roles as a graduate assistant and fellow. Interviewing students and staff around campus and writing blog posts highlighting their achievements really strengthened my verbal and written communication skills, which has translated to the work I do leading students in my GA position and in speaking with donors in my fellowship with USF Athletics. 

What are your future career goals/plans?
Following my graduation from the VSEM program, I hope to work for either a sports team or company doing sports marketing and partnerships. Right now, I’m still trying to figure out whether I want to be on the team side or brand side but either way, I know I want to be involved in the sports and events industry.

Are there any opportunities in your field that you know of that we should share with current Clemson students?
Applications for the VSEM program are now open for next year and I encourage anyone that is interested to apply and reach out to me with any questions.

Spring 2024

Lauren Crumley, Events Intern

Where are you now?
I am a postgraduate intern at the NCAA in championship operations, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What has been your proudest project or accomplishment since graduation? 
My proudest accomplishment since graduation has been my personal and professional growth!

How did Clemson help you in your career now? 
Clemson helped me tremendously with my career now. During my time at Clemson I was able to learn about what was important to me, to develop my interests, and to grow my skills in areas such as communication and leadership. All of these have impacted me greatly in my career so far. I was also a student-athlete at Clemson, something I am very grateful for and learned a lot from. Being able to be a small part of granting that same life-changing experience to future student-athletes is something I’m very passionate about.

What skills or experience gained from your internship with RHBSSI do you find most valuable now?  
My role at the NCAA is very events focused. My time as an events intern at RHBSSI helped teached me the ins and outs of what goes into event planning and operations, which is something I definitely take with me into my daily work now. 

What are your future career goals/plans? 
After my internship at the NCAA is completed, I hope to continuing working in events role in sports, ideally for a conference office or a national level organization of some kind.

Are there any opportunities in your field that you know of that we should share with current Clemson students?
I could not recommend the NCAA Postgraduate Internship enough! The structure of the program is so intentional and really helps you grow as a young professional. Outside of your growth in your position, you are given so many opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development with over 30 other like minded young professionals.

Justin Robertson, Communications Intern

Where are you now?
I am a sports reporter for The Winchester Star in Winchester, Virginia. 

What has been your proudest project or accomplishment since graduation? 
Since taking my new job, I have had to cover high school sports on a daily basis. While I had some freelance experience covering them during my time at Clemson University, I had never worked full-time on covering high school sports. Over the last three months, I have learned so much about the journalism field and how to tell stories that make an impact on the community. 

How did Clemson help you in your career now? 
It’s tough to put into words just how much my time at Clemson has helped me in my career. Along with my experience in the classroom, my time at Clemson’s student newspaper, The Tiger, played an instrumental role in my development as a person, leader and reporter. Between the countless hours and late nights in The Tiger’s office and the 100-plus Clemson sports games and events I covered, working as a student journalist opened up the opportunities I have today. Becoming the sports editor and the associate editor of the newspaper also helped me become a better leader and develop a better work ethic. Working as an intern for the RHBSSI during my final semester was also a great experience to close out my time at Clemson. Not only did I gain valuable experience, but I learned more about the academic side of the school and the valuable research that the Institute’s fellows and staff do on a daily basis. 

What skills or experience gained from your internship with RHBSSI do you find most valuable now?
Running the Institute’s blog and social media platforms gave me valuable experience that I use every day. From interviewing faculty members to creating graphics and flyers, the marketing side of the internship taught me how to promote an event and work with other departments. Creating a brand and developing it for the Institute was also a skill that I find valuable today. 

What are your future career goals/plans? 
I have only had my current job for three months, but I plan on continuing to work at The Winchester Star and growing as a writer, reporter and journalist. 

Are there any opportunities in your field that you know of that we should share with current Clemson students?
I will always promote joining The Tiger to any student. While joining the student newspaper may sound one-dimensional, The Tiger literally has something for everyone, regardless of their interests. Between writing, podcasting, photography, design, art, layout and a whole host of other opportunities, The Tiger has opportunities for every student on Clemson’s campus.

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Current undergraduate Clemson students interested in becoming a part-time RHBSSI intern for Spring 2025 can apply here by November 29.

The Clemson University Formula SAE (CUFSAE) team is a student-run organization dedicated to designing, manufacturing and competing with a formula-style race car. They aim to provide students with the tools to learn relevant skills while exploring the possibilities of employment in the automotive industry.

This past weekend, the CUFSAE team travelled to Pennsylvania to compete in the annual Pittsburgh Shootout. They took their newest formula-style race car, Tiger 24, to the competition and had a great experience.

The team placed an impressive 6th overall out of 23 competing internal combustion (IC) teams. On Friday night, they passed the technical inspection part of the competition and then competed in all three dynamic events – autocross, acceleration and skidpad – placing in the top 10 in each event.

They faced a few difficulties throughout the weekend, but were able to overcome them and perform great. To learn more about their experience in Pittsburgh and what they have coming up, check out their Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

CUFSAE has a variety of sponsors that they credit with making their projects possible, giving them the opportunity to apply their education and learn within this unique international competition. As one of their sponsors, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) is thrilled to celebrate this success and wishes the team the best of luck with the rest of their season.

CUFSAE has agreed to showcase one of their Formula One cars at RECESS, RHBSSI’s inaugural sports science research symposium. The event will take place on Thursday, October 24 from 5-8 p.m. in the Madren Center’s Grand Ballroom. To RSVP to this innovative and fun event, click here.

After a successful summer semester, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute welcomes four new and one returning intern for fall. These students come with excellent qualifications, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that they will bring to the Institute. 

Grace O’Donnell

Grace O’Donnell, a senior Sports Communication major from Allentown, NJ, is the Institute’s writing and editing intern for the fall 2024 semester. In her role, she will interview faculty and students and write meaningful content about sports science research and creative endeavors happening at Clemson. 

“I am so excited to work with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and help further their mission in any way possible,” O’Donnell said. “I am passionate about bringing real people’s stories to life and constantly finding unique, innovative ways to showcase their accomplishments.”

O’Donnell also serves as the sports editor of The Tiger, Clemson’s student newspaper. There, she oversees a staff of 25 reporters looking to put their personal touch on stories related to Clemson Athletics. Her experience in this role will enable her to dive deeper into each profile, paragraph and sentence for the semester ahead.

Katie Gerbasich

Katie Gerbasich, a sophomore Sports Communication major from Houston, TX, is the Institute’s events and writing assistant for the fall. Throughout the semester, she will help coordinate various events and contribute to the Sports Insight blog.

“I am thrilled to work together with these amazing people and help promote the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute,” Gerbasich said. “This is an opportunity for me to expand my network on campus while gaining valuable work experience. The Institute is already such an incredible community that I look forward to learning more about first-hand.”

Gerbasich previously worked as an intern for the Community Impact Newspaper where she wrote feature articles and experienced a professional newsroom. She hopes to draw on her sports photography experience to help the Institute curate content and increase engagement.

Kyler Blose

Kyler Blose is senior from Lexington, SC and is majoring in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Tourism and Event Management. She is the events lead intern for the fall semester and her main focus will be on facilitating the arrangements for the fall symposium (RECESS) and other events.

“I am extremely excited to be hands-on with this team,” Blose said. “The opportunity to build on the experience and skills that I’ve learned over the past three years is huge for me and I cannot wait to see all we accomplish this fall.

This is one of the best kinds of challenges for me, both personally and professionally, and it is a chance for me to put my skills to the test! I’m thrilled to learn more about the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and how they serve the University and be able to showcase everyone’s hard work.”

This past summer, Blose worked with the City of Easley Parks and Recreation Department as part of her final required internship to gain experience in sports management, community recreation and event planning. She is excited to apply all she has learned to RHBSSI and put on some great events this semester.

Natalie Bell

Natalie Bell is a senior Graphic Communications major and Brand Communications minor from Greenville, SC. She is the Institute’s graphic design intern this semester and will create visual materials to promote Clemson sports science activities.

“I am most excited about dipping my toes into a different side of marketing and learning more about RHBSSI,” Bell said. “I worked for a small marketing agency this past spring, so I look forward to creating graphics and generating ideas for a different market than before.”

When Bell is not living and breathing the Adobe Creative Suite, she enjoys taking film photos, spending time with friends and family outdoors and reading in her free time.

Taylor Erdman

Taylor Erdman is a senior Sports Communication major with a Business Administration minor from Eastchester, NY. Returning from the summer, she will rejoin the Institute as their communications lead, creating content for social media and assisting with the Sports Insight blog.

“As the only returning intern, I am excited to be a role model for my fellow interns and assist them in any way that I can,” Erdman said. “Working for the Institute has been such a rewarding experience and I cannot wait to continue promoting all the amazing opportunities they have to offer. Specifically, I’m looking forward to educating the Clemson community on our fall symposium.”

Erdman plans to use all the skills and information she acquired over the summer in her work for the fall semester. She has also held various roles within the marketing and communication industry that will help her in her current role with the Institute.

Clemson students are heading to Paris, France this month for the Paralympic Games on August 28 as part of a study abroad course lead by two RHBSSI faculty fellows from Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM), Skye Arthur-Banning, Ph.D., and Jasmine Townsend, Ph.D.

Students will earn credit watching games played around the Arc de Triomphe or walking the Champs-Elysees in Paris while learning about sport and culture and seeing talented athletes from around the globe compete. The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris will see over 4,400 athletes compete in 23 different sports.

Clemson students have been attending the Paralympic Games since 2010. This year, they will attend a variety of sporting events, walk through the Olympic stadium and meet with athletes. They will hear from sport designers and organizers to learn how the games are put on, their importance to the people of Paris and how disability awareness is growing within France and around the world. Students will also take in the rich culture of Paris by visiting the world-famous Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower and eat some of the finest of French cuisine.

“One goal of the course is to expose students to the Paralympic Games as one of the largest international sporting events in the world,” said Arthur-Banning. “Through this experience, they will understand the planning and details, logistics and more that go into a large-scale sporting event.”

A second aim is to encourage students to think about and see the value of Parasport and appreciate all of the different sporting events, as well as the wide variety of people with disabilities that are able to experience sport. Arthur-Banning and Townsend hope that the students’ worldview will be broadened, and they will become advocates for people with disabilities and the programs that serve them.

Follow RHBSSI on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates from Paris.

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As Clemson wraps up another successful semester, we are excited to highlight the experiences and insights of our two interns this summer. These students have spent the past few months gaining valuable skills and contributing to the Institute, and now they are sharing their personal journeys and offering advice for those who will follow in their footsteps.

Taylor Erdman

Taylor was the Marketing and Communications intern for the Institute this summer. She created and posted content for RHBSSI’s social media channels and wrote for the Sports Insight blog. She was also responsible for creating a content calendar from scratch and continuously updating it throughout the summer.

“One of my favorite things about this position is how versatile it is – every day looks different,” Erdman said. “One day I could be creating a graphic about joining our email database and the next I could be writing a blog post about one of our faculty fellows.”

“Being an intern for the Institute has been one of the most rewarding experiences. My advice would to be to make the most of the time you have there and to learn as much as you can: you don’t have to know everything, you just have to be willing to learn. I’d also advise future interns to use it as an opportunity to network with the faculty fellows, as they are doing incredible research and have a lot of great connections.”

Taylor will be continuing with the Institute in the fall as our Communications Lead. She is very excited to further develop her skills and contribute to impactful projects.

Payton Ober

Payton served as the Graphic Design intern for the Institute this Summer. Throughout her time, she was responsible for creating logos, posters, and graphics in preparation for the Institute’s first ever Research & Creative Endeavors Symposium (RECESS).

“This position has felt so beneficial to me this summer, having the opportunity to work with the Sports Science Institute while getting the chance to put my creative skills to work has been so fulfilling.” Ober said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for design so getting to work with people like John, Kayla, and Taylor, who are all so creative and ready to get involved has just been a really great experience.”

“While being a student can definitely be overwhelming, I completely recommend taking advantage of opportunities like this, especially if they have to do with the RHBSSI. Getting involved on campus through jobs like this is so useful and rewarding.”

This fall, Payton will be working as a Graphic Communications Teaching assistant for 3 different labs while participating in a Flexographic Printing competition/Creative Inquiry course called “The Phoenix Challenge” as the Research Lead.”

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The Institute is actively seeking candidates for four part-time intern positions this fall. Applications close August 1 so be sure to apply soon. For information on the positions, check out ClemsonJobLink.

Clemson Olympic Sports Science is seeking two to four candidates to fill internship positions for the Fall 2024 (August through December) semester. Successful candidates will gain knowledge and experience within a Division 1 Collegiate setting by assisting the Director of Sports Science in providing sports science support across Clemson Olympic sports.

Interns will engage in semester-long sports science curriculum, gain exposure to a wide variety of sports science technology, and participate in networking opportunities with sports science professionals. The internship may fulfill course credit if necessary. Click here for more information on qualifications and responsibilities.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume and list of references in a single PDF to Jason Avedesian at javedes@clemson.edu. Please title the subject line of the email, “SPORTS SCIENCE INTERNSHIP – FALL 2024.”

To learn more about Clemson Olympic Sports, visit clemsontigers.com/olympic-sports-strength-conditioning. 

Please note that these internship positions are voluntary; opportunities may be available for future graduate-level, stipend positions.