The Clemson University community is invited to attend a landmark celebration of inclusive sport at the Clemson Paralympic Soccer Fest, to be held at the historic Riggs Field on April 25th. This event marks only the second time in U.S. college history that two Cerebral Palsy soccer teams have competed against each other in a university stadium.
Organized by the Clemson University Paralympic Soccer Program and presented by the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, the event promises a full morning of engagement, inclusion, and community celebration.
The day will begin with a soccer clinic for children and youth with physical and intellectual disabilities from 8:00 AM to 9:20 AM, providing participants with an opportunity to learn, play, and connect in an empowering environment.
Following the clinic, fans and families can enjoy a wide range of interactive “soccer stations” leading up to kickoff, including:
Four-square fun
Soccer golf challenges
Immersive virtual reality soccer experiences
Jumbotron games
A themed photo station
Face painting
The featured match between Clemson University Paralympic Soccer and Cerebral Palsy All Stars will kick off at 11:00 AM, showcasing elite Cerebral Palsy soccer talent in a historic setting that continues Clemson’s tradition of leadership in sport and inclusion.
At halftime, attendees will be entertained by the Clemson Rally Cats, who will perform, engage with fans, and lead interactive experiences. Spectators will also enjoy giveaways and have the chance to participate in two public halftime games.
This event represents a unique opportunity for the Clemson community to support adaptive athletics, celebrate diversity in sport, and be part of a historic moment in U.S. collegiate soccer.
Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact the Clemson University Paralympic Soccer Program at @cuparasoccer on Instagram. The Clemson University Paralympic Soccer Program is part of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences.
Dr. Hardie sits with cohort members and South African leaders during the final Networking Day, where participants connected with key stakeholders in the sport-for-development space.
By Katie Gerbasich
In March, Dr. Ashlyn Hardie, Institute fellow from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, co-led the second cohort of Starting Block Accelerator in Cape Town, South Africa, with Dr. Per Svensson from Louisiana State University. This initiative is the first of its kind, designed to address the research-practice gap in cross-sector work while advancing research in the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) sector.
Hardie describes this work in the SDP sector as “the intentional use of sport, recreation, play, and physical activity as a tool to achieve broader societal-level development goals. Often, those programmatic goals align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (known as the UN SDGs), and sport offers an alternative platform to tackle community issues.”
According to the UN General Assembly and the UN Action Plan governing bodies, sport is viewed as a powerful tool for addressing key issues such as social integration, physical health and wellness, gender equality, peacebuilding, crime prevention and the development of sustainable communities.
The Starting Block Accelerator is an initiative designed and implemented by Hardie and colleagues as a week-long capacity-building business accelerator program for sport-based nonprofits. Five leaders from organizations worldwide were invited to participate, each working directly with beneficiaries in their countries to tackle issues aligned with the UN SDGs.
Dr. Hardie leads the cohort through a research-based curriculum, equipping participants with practical insights to strengthen their organizations.
“We try very intentionally to have a really diverse group of participants in each cohort because we want them to speak to their experience with different types of funders, recreational tools and their experience navigating challenges in different countries on different continents, so they are not just learning from us but also from each other,” Hardie said.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute provided the initial seed funding in 2024 for the first-ever Starting Block Accelerator in London, England, enabling the team to gather preliminary data on the program’s effectiveness and secure support for this second round in Cape Town, South Africa.
This year’s cohort included organizations that utilize a variety of sports, including soccer, ultimate frisbee, mountain biking, wrestling and rugby, with participants representing those organizations from Brazil, Botswana, South Africa, the Czech Republic and India. Two of the five participants were female founders. One was recently named Vice President of the African Women in Sports Initiative, and the other was a former Brazilian Olympic wrestler.
The first three days of the Accelerator are curriculum-based, drawing on decades of sport-for-development research to create evidence-based pathways for management practices. For several reasons, research is challenging for practitioners to access and use. The objective of the Starting Block Accelerator is to support organizations through a research-backed curriculum that debunks misconceptions, provides networking opportunities and creates a collaborative learning environment.
“In the nonprofit world, people often rely on trial and error because they lack access to information, which can be expensive and time-consuming,” Hardie said. “We try to give them evidence-based strategies so they don’t have to just guess and repeat—research shows what is most likely to work.”
SDP leaders gather with Gorata Kgathi following her presentation on creating opportunities for women in rugby in Botswana.
On the final day of the workshop, participants attended a networking session where they practiced pitching their organizations to well-known stakeholders in the SDP sector. Cape Town is an established, global hub for SDP work. This location provided strong access to a network of established leaders in the sport-for-development space, offering valuable connections and feedback to the emerging organizations in this cohort.
Hardie spoke about the impact of the first Starting Block in London, just one year ago, stating: “We’ve had major milestones for last year’s participants either from the connections that they made out of the networking day last year or skills that they implemented from the training of the workshop. For example, multiple London participants have found new funding success over the last year, linking back to our grant writing workshop or networking day.”
Cape Town’s proximity to Mozambique also allowed Hardie to visit Lwandi Surf, a participant from the 2025 London cohort, where she gathered insights on the program’s long-term impact and next steps.
“We want to just keep empowering these organizations to really optimize whatever they’re trying to do for the people they’re trying to serve, with more financial sustainability and safety than they’re doing before.”
Hardie is also the Founder and Executive Director of the New Way Sport Fund, which provides unrestricted funding, alongside consultancy-supported funding, to selected organizations working toward sustainable solutions to organizational challenges.
“We’re not just going to buy soccer balls because they get lost or pop, “Hardie said. “But if you want to invest in something like solar panels, to solve an ongoing power issue, that’s a sustainable solution we want to help with, which a lot of funding mechanisms won’t allow.”
NWSF is funded for a 2nd cycle, with applications expected to open in mid-May of this year.
April 6 recently marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Learn more about the role sport plays in driving social change here.
April 6 each year is National Student-Athlete Day. The Institute is proud to support Clemson student-athletes through the UPIC Beyond the Game program. Meet our spring interns and some of their colleagues from Clemson Athletics.
Malick Daouda
Sometimes being an athlete and a student at the same time can be overwhelming, but having a clear schedule and avoiding procrastination help me focus on both.
One lesson I learned is that details matter. When preparing for a game or a tournament, details like how much water you drink or what and when you eat can have a big influence on how you perform. This relates to everything in life, when you do something, make sure to do it right and to not cut corners.
Quantity is not always better than quality. With all the resources available to us here, I learned that having a structured workout plan that focuses on your personal weaknesses is better than working twice as hard as you normally would, but without the structure that can help you to truly progress without increasing the injury risk
Kevin Collins
UPIC Beyond the Game Intern
Balancing academics and athletics comes down to time management, discipline, and priorities. As a student-athlete, I treat school as part of my sport. I plan my day ahead, using a schedule that blocks out time for classes, practice, studying, and recovery. I also try to stay ahead on assignments, so I am not overwhelmed during competition weeks. Communication is important too, especially with professors and coaches. At the end of the day, I remind myself that being a student comes first, and athletics is an opportunity that supports my education.
One major lesson I have learned from sports is the importance of consistency and proper fueling. Nutrition plays a big role in performance, and I have learned that what I put into my body affects my energy, focus, and recovery. That same idea applies to school, because if I am not taking care of my body, I cannot perform well academically either. Also, being in a structured training environment has taught me accountability and discipline. Showing up every day, even when I do not feel like it, has helped me stay consistent with my studying and with handling life’s responsibilities.
One important sports science lesson every student-athlete should know is the importance of recovery. Many younger athletes focus only on training hard, but recovery is just as important as the workout itself. This includes sleep, hydration, stretching, and rest days. Without proper recovery, the body cannot repair itself, increasing the risk of injury and decreasing performance. Understanding this early can help athletes have longer careers and perform at a higher level.
Aniyah Kitt
To me, being a student-athlete means balancing my performance on the track and in my studies. Having discipline and time management has been a huge factor in my ability to excel in both worlds.
One of my most memorable moments was my freshman year at the ACC Indoor Championship. This is when the women’s team became the Indoor Champions, and I became the 200m ACC Indoor Champion. I remember the rush of adrenaline I had and the feeling of joy and accomplishment. Knowing that not only the team’s efforts but mine as well were worth it. It felt surreal, and I was very grateful to share the experience with my teammates.
Some of the biggest lessons I have learned from sports are discipline and accountability. Being part of a team environment has taught me accountability because, although track is more of an individual sport, I still represent my team and work with them toward a common goal: winning. This mindset has helped me become more responsible and take ownership of my actions in everyday life, such as setting high expectations for myself in my schooling. I have also learned the importance of consistency and recovery. Being disciplined and taking care of my body properly after training is essential to performing at my maximum capacity while staying healthy and efficient. This includes proper hydration, sleep, and nutrition. Overall, these habits have helped me not only in my sport but also in maintaining balance and focus in other areas of my life.
I use sports science to track my splits in practice and on film and identify areas for improvement and error. This allows me to identify what I need to keep doing and working towards, and what I need to fix and strengthen. This can also be applied in the weight room to track my progression and strength. All this data helps me become the best version of myself and compete at a high level.
Daniel Kidd
Being a student-athlete means operating at a high level in multiple demanding environments simultaneously: academics, athletics and professionally while maintaining discipline, accountability, and consistency every day. It’s about managing time effectively, staying mentally resilient, and showing up even when it’s difficult.
One of my most memorable experiences was competing after working through an Achilles injury. That moment reinforced what being a truly student-athlete means to me: trusting the process, staying disciplined in recovery, and still performing under pressure. It wasn’t just about the race, but about overcoming adversity and executing when it mattered.
I use:
Split times and race modeling to assess efficiency across each segment (e.g., 0–30m, 30–80m, 80–200m)
Strength and power metrics in the weight room (force production, explosiveness)
Recovery data like soreness, fatigue, and training load to avoid overtraining
Biomechanics (posture, stride frequency, ground contact) to improve efficiency
For example, I’ve focused on staying patient through 0-30m and hitting top speed later in the race, which has directly improved my performance. Data allows me to train with intention rather than just effort.
One key lesson is: recovery is just as important as training.
Many younger athletes think improvement comes only from pushing harder, but performance actually improves during recovery. Without proper recovery, like sleep, mobility and nutrition, you increase injury risk and limit performance gains.
Understanding load management, listening to your body, and prioritizing recovery strategies (like mobility work and proper warm-ups) is what allows you to stay consistent and improve long-term.
Shanque Williams
UPIC Beyond the Game Intern
Honestly, it’s not always easy. Some days I feel like I’m rushing from class straight to practice and then trying to finish work late at night. What helps me is staying organized and not procrastinating, because once you fall behind, it gets stressful fast. Being a student-athlete has forced me to be more disciplined with my time. I’ve learned how to prioritize what needs to get done, even when I’m tired. It’s definitely a grind, but it’s made me more responsible overall.
I don’t always think about it as “sports science” in the moment, but I use it a lot without realizing it. For example, I pay attention to my times, how I feel during workouts, and how my body responds after practice. If something feels off, I know I need to adjust—whether that’s getting more rest, eating better, or changing how I train. Even small things like focusing on my form or recovery can make a big difference. It’s about training smarter, not just going hard every day.
One thing I wish more athletes understood is how important recovery is. A lot of people think working harder every day will automatically make you better, but that’s not always true. If you’re not getting enough sleep or taking care of your body, your performance is going to drop. I’ve learned that rest days, stretching, and even just listening to your body are just as important as practice. Taking care of yourself is what helps you stay consistent and improve.
Shantae Foreman
Balancing academics and athletics takes extreme discipline and focus. You have to make a lot of sacrifices: put aside a lot of things in terms of enjoyment and going out with friends; put your academics and your mental health first.
To be honest, nutrition. I had to change my diet, where and how I eat, the amount I eat, and the time I eat, and it was really challenging. But if I were younger and knew it would affect how I perform, I would have looked into it more.
The 2025 GRIT awardees (left to right) Chris Corr, Sarah Stokowski, Felipe Tobar, and Reed Gurchiek, stand with RHBSSI interim director, John DesJardins (center), at the RECESS Friday Finale.
By Katie Gerbasich
At the conclusion of Clemson University’s Research and Creative Endeavors in the Sports Sciences (RECESS) Symposium, hosted by the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute the week of November 10, 2025, four Clemson faculty were honored with 2025 GRIT Awards. These awards recognize nominated individuals or groups who distinguish themselves in various areas of sports science. A trophy was presented to the following winners.
Community and Outreach in the Sports Sciences
Felipe Tobar, Ph.D. – Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Tobar studies the intersection of sport, tourism and heritage. He also serves as the head coach of Clemson’s Paralympic Soccer Program and co-founded the Football Tourism Institute, which aims to understand football tourism at the local and global levels.
Over the summer of 2025, Tobar travelled internationally conducting sports research. In early May, he took a group of students to Germany to study the Culture of Remembrance and Political Activism in German Football. While abroad, he conducted two research studies: one examining stickers in and around stadiums as a form of fan expression and political activism, and another exploring how German soccer clubs suppress or communicate Holocaust history.
Tobar’s inclusive and critical teaching practices earned him the 2025 Junior Tenure-Track Outstanding Teaching Award from Clemson University’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. His commitment to experiential learning includes organizing class field trips to venues such as the Bank of America Stadium and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, facilitating networking opportunities with more than 41 sports industry professionals, and supporting undergraduate students as they participate in local sporting events.
For his dedication to both the Clemson and global community, the Institute has awarded Felipe Tobar with the GRIT Award for Community and Outreach in the Sports Sciences for the 2025-26 academic year.
“He is richly deserving of this award,” commended Greg Ramshaw, Ph.D., Tobar’s colleague in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.
Research in the Sports Sciences
Chris Corr, Ph.D. – Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development, Athletic Leadership Program
Corr’s scholarly research examines the institutional and organizational settings of collegiate athletics, with attention to the impact and outcomes of participation on various stakeholders. He serves as the executive director of the College Sport Research Institute and is the program manager for the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation.
“Dr. Chris Corr exemplifies the spirit of the GRIT Award in Research in Sports Sciences through his exceptional productivity, interdisciplinary collaboration and measurable impact on the study and practice of sport,” Sarah Stokowski, Corr’s colleague in the College of Education, said.
Over the past three years, Corr has produced an extraordinary body of scholarship, authoring or co-authoring more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, multiple book chapters, and numerous presentations at national and international conferences.
Corr’s work has consistently been supported by competitive funding sources, including RHBSSI, the NCAA, the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), and USA Ultimate, demonstrating the quality and applicability of his research.
“Equally important, Dr. Corr’s collaborative spirit enriches Clemson’s research environment,” Stokowski said. “He actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, co-authors with emerging scholars, and engages in applied projects that extend Clemson’s land-grant mission.”
Student Engagement in the Sports Sciences
Sarah Stokowski, Ph.D. – Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development, Athletic Leadership Program
Recognized for her unwavering commitment to student success, Sarah Stokowski, Ph.D., has made an impact on graduate education and student engagement within the Athletic Leadership program. She has supervised more than 75 doctoral students across both the Higher Education and P12 concentrations.
“Dr. Stokowski is unbelievably passionate and committed to student learning and success,” noted her colleague from the College of Education, Chris Corr, Ph.D. “She is tremendously caring and committed to students’ scholarly achievement, and students walk away from her research methods course with a tangible academic publication and, more importantly for their professional development, an in-depth understanding of the research process.
Her commitment to publishing with students has led many graduate students to continue their education by pursuing terminal degrees.
“While Dr. Stokowski is an all-around tremendous scholar and influential member of the campus community, her commitment to student excellence and achievement is to be marveled at,” Corr said.In addition to her mentorship efforts, Stokowski was awarded a 2025 ESPN Research Fellowship by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute (IGI). Through this fellowship, she will research how student-athletes perceive and engage with online sports betting content. To learn more about her work, click here.
Friend of the Institute
Reed Gurchiek, Ph.D. – Department of Bioengineering
Gurchiek is the principal investigator in the Human Movement Biomechanics Lab (HuMBL), where his team uses standard motion capture technologies for human movement analysis and biomechanics.
A recent project, funded by RHBSSI, involved developing a passive assistive hamstring device to support muscle recovery. Read more about the work here.
Gurchiek has also been integral in collaborating with the Institute on plans for the University’s new human performance center on the ground floor of the student wellness center, which has recently broken ground.
“The Institute is very appreciative to Dr. Gurchiek for his continued leadership in the development of this new facility that will bring human performance research at Clemson to national prominence,” said John DesJardins, Ph.D., director of the Institute.
The end of the Spring semester means saying goodbye to five RHBSSI interns. These interns helped uphold and spread the RHBSSI mission in various ways, such as through our social media and student-oriented events. They have left a lasting impression on the Institute and shared their insight about their time here.
Griffin Barfield, Writer/Editor
Griffin Barfield is a junior Communication major and Spanish minor. Alongside interning for the Institute, he is the sports editor of The Tiger, Clemson’s student newspaper. He utilized his skills from this position to highlight Clemson University faculty, staff, students and events that align with the Institute. He skillfully translated the work and stories of the Clemson community into captivating sports science pieces for all audiences to enjoy.
“I’m so happy with how my time with the Institute ended up this semester,” Barfield said. “From forming great connections to connecting with Clemson’s campus more, I’m proud of the work I accomplished here this spring.”
Barfield will be graduating from Clemson in December of 2025. This summer, he plans to go back home and continue improving his writing and editorial skills in New Jersey.
“I hope to come back to the Institute next fall as a writing intern again, and as for this summer, I’ll be looking at freelance writing for my local publications in New Jersey.”
Evelyn Lane, Communications Lead
Evelyn Lane is a junior Marketing major and Spanish minor. Before interning at RHBSSI, she was a brand strategist and account manager for Cadency, Clemson’s student-led brand agency. She used her knowledge of social media strategies and analytics to aid the Institute in growing its social media presence and maintaining a cohesive brand image.
“My time with RHBSSI has helped me grow in many different aspects of my life,” Lane said. “I was able to collaborate with people from all different majors and backgrounds; I learned how to be confident in my ideas, and incorporate the ideas of others into the social media plan, and allow everyone to feel heard.”
Lane will stay in Clemson and continue her internship with the Institute this summer.
“I am so excited to continue working with RHBSSI, watching our media presence grow, and figuring out how to utilize each platform to the best of our abilities.”
Natalie Bell, Graphic Designer
Natalie Bell is a graduating senior Graphic Communications major with a minor in Brand Communications. While interning with RHBSSI, she was also Cadency’s creative director. This semester marks the end of her two semesters with the Institute, where she has been able to showcase her creative talent.
“I have loved my past two semesters with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. Since I am a Graphic Communications major and Brand Communications minor, I am not in the sports realm. This internship allowed me to participate in the athletics and research side of Clemson University,” Bell said. “I have gotten to be a part of some fantastic opportunities, such as photographing Clemson’s first Paralympic soccer match and designing mini golf scorecards for our Research Symposium. RHBSSI has made me a more well-rounded graphic designer!”
Bell is graduating this May, and her future endeavors are bright.
“Upon graduation on May 8, I will be starting my full-time position as a Graphic Designer for FerebeeLane in Greenville, SC.”
Nicole Souza, Technical Communications Specialist
Nicole Souza is a graduating senior Bioengineering major. During her time with RHBSSI, she conducted research surrounding Real Madrid NEXT technology partners and utilized her scientific skillset to write blog posts about Clemson’s STEM impacts and CHIP (Clemson Headgear Impact Performance) Lab outcomes.
“It’s been amazing getting to see all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into not just sports science, but also supporting the University and its students,” Souza said. “My time at RHBSSI taught me a lot about the side of science I had not seen in my classes, like marketing, communication and outreach, and I’m really grateful for that.”
Although Souza is graduating this May, she plans to continue her path as a Tiger through Clemson’s Master’s program.
“After graduation this May, I’ll be interning at Arthrex as a product management intern, working with orthopedic medical devices and instruments. Even better, I’ll be coming back to Clemson in the fall to start my Master’s of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. Go Tigers!”
Keeleigh Bush, Events Lead
Keeleigh Bush is a graduating senior Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management major with an emphasis in Tourism and Event Management. She is also the public relations chair for the Clemson Events Planners Association. With this background, she has excelled in planning, coordinating and executing speaker events and campus activations.
“I had such a great time serving as the Events Intern this semester,” Bush said. “It was incredibly fun and inspiring to work alongside such a talented group of fellow interns.”
Bush is graduating alongside Souza and Bell this May, and it ecstatic about future opportunities.
“I’m graduating this spring and currently exploring opportunities—excited for what’s ahead and staying open to new possibilities!”
Whether they are staying in Tiger Town or taking their talents elsewhere, we know our interns will thrive in the face of any challenge and we thank them for their hard work this semester!
Former RHBSSI intern Katie Gerbasich has been working closely with Clemson Athletics as a member of the Baseball Analytics team and a writer.
by Griffin Barfield
Katie Gerbasichat RECESS 2024.
A former intern at the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, Katie Gerbasich, a junior Sports Communication major from Houston, TX, has been working closely with various teams and departments through sport, building off of what she learned from the Institute.
Following her stint in the fall of 2024 with the Institute, Gerbasich is now working with the Baseball Analytics team through Clemson Olympic Sports Science. She works specifically with the hitting team, focusing on scouting and player development from the hitter’s perspective.
“We have access to a database that stores tons of information from every single play in the game,” Gerbasich said. “It’s our responsibility to take that information, filter out what’s important, and communicate it to our coaching staff.”
Gerbasich and her team also focus on opponents for Clemson Baseball, picking out key information to highlight its opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. From there, she helps communicate this data to the coaching staff for game planning.
“It’s been super cool to experience the behind-the-scenes of our team and see how our work makes an impact,” she said.
Gerbasich has been an intern with Tiger View Media this spring, covering various sporting events, including Clemson’s spring game.
In addition, Gerbasich joined Tiger View Media as a sports writer, covering various Clemson Baseball, Softball and Women’s Lacrosse events over the course of the spring seasons. She also received an opportunity through the media group to cover the Clemson Football spring game, calling it a “highlight moment.”
From her previous experience as an event and writing assistant with the Institute, she feels that her writing skills have been elevated to another level, being able to write a lot more with Tiger View Media.
“It feels like I’m seemingly able to pump out article after article,” Gerbasich said. “I’m so much more confident now in my abilities now, thanks to the support of the Institute.”
As for the future, Gerbasich will plan to stay with both programs, staying with baseball analytics until baseball season ends this summer. Furthermore, she will continue to work in sports media with Tiger View Media, covering football for the publication in the fall.
She hopes to graduate early and begin pursuing her Master’s degree in Sports Analytics at Clemson, aspiring to work for a professional team in analytics or communication.
The team played and defeated the CP Soccer All Stars 6-1 at Historic Riggs Field at their first real match in program history.
Goalkeeper Max Alberici celebrates a goal with midfielder Chile Chitulangoma, who scored.
While the players lifted a trophy for the win, they weren’t just thrilled with the hardware: they were ecstatic that they even had the opportunity to play.
Shea Hammond is a graduate student in communication who has been with the team for several years, the first undergraduate player in the program’s history. Seeing the event come together was enough to inspire a win.
“It’s the name of the field. It’s historic,” Hammond said after the game. “To finally play on this field, it’s historic. It’s indescribable.”
Head coach and assistant professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Felipe Tobar, watched his players’ dreams come true that afternoon. Many of them had dreamed of playing collegiate sports after high school, a period where many athletes with cerebral palsy (CP) stop playing.
“We’d like to say thank you to the community and the fanbase who supported us,” Tobar said. “They had a dream to play in a college stadium and they accomplished it.”
Graduate student Shea Hammond scored a hat-trick on Saturday morning.
Four different Clemson players scored, while Hammond scored a hat-trick with all three of his goals coming in the second half. One player, Tyler Bennett, is a team alumnus and one of the first two players to join the program in 2017. Bennett brought practices featuring movements, passing and other workouts from the U.S. CP National Team.
It was a new Clemson experience for Bennett, coming back to campus and playing in a full game of soccer with CP rules.
“I think it went well for the program,” Bennett said. “They showed that if you’re training here full-time, you’re going to do pretty well.”
Many faces from the Clemson Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams were present. Flags flew and celebrations commenced in the stands whenever a player scored. The entire women’s lacrosse team attended, surprising goalkeeper Max Alberici, the team’s manager.
That wasn’t the best moment of the game in Alberici’s opinion, however. His favorite experience came from watching substitute goalkeeper, Ethan Donahue, play. He joined the team several weeks before the match after Hammond recruited him on campus. Donahue and his disability were welcomed by the team in open arms.
“I was more happy to get him in the game,” Alberici said.
“There’s no relationship like an adaptive sport relationship,” Hammond said, “and like a CP soccer family.”
The match was the last that this team will play all together, as they say goodbye to Hammond following five seasons with the program. As he graduates from Clemson, Hammond looks forward to working with cerebral palsy and Paralympic athletes in the future.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute sponsored the match’s trophy, which the Clemson CP team raised following its win.
“That’s a lifetime of work that I’m going to commit to and making sure that we can grow this program in this sport as much as possible,” Hammond said.
For Tobar, the practices and cultivation of this match proved to be a great success. Earlier in the week, the team played Daniel High School in a scrimmage to prepare for the game. Now, Tobar and his team are “blessed and honored” to have the opportunity to represent Clemson.
“That’s the only official game that we will play as a team,” Tobar said. “I could not be more proud.”
Click here to check out more photos from the match.
The Clemson Paralympic Soccer team gathers outside the Clemson Soccer practice facility in their new uniforms to prepare for the historic match on April 19. (Photo by Natalie Bell)
Clemson professor of sport and recreation management in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM), Skye Arthur-Banning, was at the London Paralympic Games in 2012 with a group of students when an idea came to him.
Five years later, that idea would form Clemson Paralympic Soccer, the only collegiate program of its kind in the nation. Now, on April 19 at 11 a.m., the team will be playing their first-ever match in front of a crowd at Historic Riggs Field.
Several Clemson Paralympic Soccer players receive national team call-ups by the U.S. Men’s CP National Team, where they play around the country and even across the globe.
History of Clemson Paralympic Soccer
Arthur-Banning was a soccer referee in 2012 working various professional leagues and U.S. Open cup games. Following the 2012 Paralympic Games, he decided to devote his time to Para soccer, seeing the high performance of blind and cerebral palsy (CP) soccer players during that time.
“Instantly, I knew that was my next step,” he said. “There’s my next opportunity to continue refereeing, but also begin to support those with disabilities in sport environments.
Clemson Paralympic Soccer Head Coach, Felipe Tobar (Photo by Natalie Bell)
Felipe Tobar, assistant professor in the PRTM department, is head coach of the team. Arthur-Banning took notice of Tobar in 2021 while he was assistant coach for Daniel High School’s varsity soccer team.
“They needed a coach, so they needed structured training sessions,” Tobar recalled. “Since I was doing that at Daniel, he invited me to join the program as a head coach. I immediately said yes.”
Strength through adversity
The team is gearing up for its first-ever match on April 19 at Historic Riggs Field at 11 a.m. They practice three times a week to prepare.(Photo by Natalie Bell)
Strength through adversity is the team’s motto. Tobar encourages the team to play and live by this every day.
Currently, the team is made up of six players who have cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that can affect movement and posture. They also welcome players who have suffered a stroke or any severe brain injury.
Tobar has a connection with brain injury through his mother who had a stroke in 2011. He took care of her for eight years in Brazil before moving to the U.S. to earn his Ph.D. in parks, recreation and tourism management at Clemson.
“I saw what a stroke can do to a person, and I empathize with the players,” he said. “I had this background with my mom in which you can’t treat them as victims, you have to really see them as equals.”
Tobar pushes his players with drills and feedback three mornings a week.
“We keep the sessions intense and I don’t treat them differently,” he said.
Goalkeeper Max Alberici is the team’s starter, who saw an opportunity to play sports at the collegiate level and joined Clemson Paralympic Soccer.(Photo by Natalie Bell)
The players expend three times the amount of energy on the field as able-bodied soccer players due to quicker muscle fatigue – therefore, their recovery process takes longer.
For goalkeeper Max Alberici, who has spastic diplegia which affects more than one limb, he burns almost four times more energy than the average player. Alberici is a senior sports communication major who grew up playing lacrosse but saw this as an opportunity to continue playing sports in college, which was his dream.
“I hadn’t played organized soccer since eighth grade and I just go ‘okay, I’m doing this,’” Alberici said when he first heard about the program.
Now as the team’s starting goalkeeper, he embraces the training sessions and their intensity.
“There is definitely an intensity that I do enjoy and I had to learn to enjoy,” Alberici said. “But I think overall, I think having a game to work towards is going to make this a lot easier, mentally, for me.”
Because this program at Clemson is unique, four of the team’s six players are also part of the player pool for the U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team, where they are regularly picked to play.
Chile Chitulangoma is a defensive midfielder that has been with the team for three years, becoming a regularly called-up player on the U.S. Men’s CP National Team. (Photo by Natalie Bell)
Midfielder Chile Chitulangoma, a junior mechanical engineering major, is one of those players who joined in the fall of 2022. He is hemiplegic on the left side of his body affecting his strength and coordination, but takes advantage of playing quickly to overcome these obstacles. He describes the practices as tactical.
“A lot has to do with technical ability being refined with your technique on the ball,” Chitulangoma said. “So, a lot of the work we do has to do with a lot of different passing patterns and precise movements.”
In the beginning years of the program, the team would practice at local recreational fields like Nettles Park and the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex. Since 2024, the team practices at Clemson Soccer’s men’s and women’s practice facilities with help from Clemson Athletics.
“Athletics has given a lot of support to us,” Tobar said. “That elevated the level of our training sessions.”
As the only U.S. school with this type of program, Clemson allots eight scholarships that allow out-of-state players to pay in-state tuition — the only university in the world that does so for CP soccer.
The match
Tobar describes the upcoming match as a debut for everyone — the first time Clemson Paralympic Soccer will play against other Paralympic soccer players from across the country for a trophy.
“We hope this game will bring attention to our program and the University this week,” Tobar said.
Players who have recently been admitted to play for the Tigers next season will also be on this all-star team of contenders. The captain of the U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team, Josh Burnais, will be coaching the opposing team.
CP soccer rules are slightly different from traditional soccer rules. The game will be played in two halves, each 30 minutes long. Compared to soccer’s standard 11-on-11 format, CP soccer is played 7-on-7 with field dimensions and goal sizes a little smaller.
Clemson Paralympic Soccer Team practicing for the upcoming match (Photo by Natalie Bell)
Throw-ins can change to simply rolling the ball in underhand. If the ball unintentionally hits the CP-impacted hand in a natural position, there is no handball offense. These changes were made based on how the body functions for a CP player.
The event on April 19 will also be open to children with disabilities in the Upstate to have a one-hour clinic with the team from 9 to 10 a.m. to meet and play together. During the starting lineups, they will enter the field with the players.
“We want them to see their future on the pitch, so they can reflect and see that although there are barriers that they are going to face, it’s still possible to strive and succeed,” Tobar said.
For many of the players, it is a dream come true. Alberici grew up wanting to play in a stadium, and now his dream is becoming a reality.
“My main goal was always to be a college athlete,” Alberici said. “The soccer piece was much later than almost every single one of my teammates, but I’d never thought I’d play college sports in a college stadium.”
Meanwhile, for players like Chitulangoma, educating the public about overcoming adversity is what is most exciting.
“I think it’s a very unique opportunity to [educate about my disability] with a game of soccer,” Chitulangoma said. “I don’t think there’s a better way we could show our game and our disability to the community.”
Clemson Athletics is supporting the event. The day will see several Clemson Men’s and Women’s Soccer players making an appearance, with some taking part in halftime promotions.
Tobar also plans to auction signed soccer balls and other items to fundraise for the team.
That same weekend, Clemson Adaptive Sports and Recreation will be hosting the Palmetto Games, a regional adaptive sport event featuring track and field, swimming and air rifle competitions.
“We want to have as many people as possible,” Tobar said. “There are no other sports that are going to be playing that morning, so it’s a full day of Para sports.”
With kickoff set for 11 a.m. on April 19, Arthur-Banning, Tobar and the team are ready for their first organized CP game in program history, hoping to spread more awareness about Para sports and the work that the players have put in.
“I think this game provides that opportunity for them to showcase all the hard work that they’ve put in, all the skill and talent that they have and, hopefully, be able to do that in front of not only their Clemson peers, but their community at large,” Arthur-Banning said.
“This gives them that opportunity to show that off a little bit and feel like this is their payback, if you will. This is their moment.”
Arthur-Banning and Tobar are faculty fellows of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute at Clemson, sponsor of the trophy for the historic Paralympic soccer match.
The New Way Sport Fund (NWSF), directed by Ashlyn Hardie, Ph.D., faculty fellow of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, and funded by the Center of Sport Management Research and Education at Texas A&M and the GYS4D Initiative, continues to create waves in the sports development sector. After securing funding and supporting five innovative grassroots organizations worldwide this spring, the fund is already seeing tangible results in the communities it serves. These groups, from Brazil to Uganda, represent a diverse range of initiatives that use sport as a tool for positive social change, and NWSF’s support is helping them take their missions to the next level.
Proyecto Social Skate – Brazil: a safe space for cultural integration
Proyecto Social Skate Ramp
Based in Brazil, Proyecto Social Skate uses skateboarding to create a safe space for diverse groups, particularly refugee families, child immigrants and indigenous populations. With the seed funding, they expanded their skate ramp to accommodate a 20% increase in participants and purchased essential equipment including skateboards, knee pads and helmets. This expansion allows Proyecto Social Skate to continue bringing together young people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, offering them a place for sport and an opportunity for cultural assimilation and integration
Comisión Mujer Joven – Nicaragua: empowering young women through sport
In Nicaragua, Comisión Mujer Joven is using the funding to invest in equipment, field space and curriculum development for young women. One of the most exciting outcomes so far is their new mental health support initiative. The group has provided a counselor for all 92 participants, helping athletes navigate concerns outside of performance—such as personal or mental health struggles. Additionally, Comisión Mujer Joven is hosting a tournament to raise funds and sustain their initiatives, demonstrating their forward-thinking approach to financial sustainability.
Girls in Football – Lebanon: overcoming barriers in sports for women
The Lebanese organization Girls in Football, is focused on breaking barriers for women in sports. With NWSF’s help, they have been able to pay for coaches and rent field space. This investment is key to their mission of providing girls with the opportunity to play football in an environment that supports and encourages their participation.
Rural Disabled Women Association (RUDIWA) – Uganda: education and inclusion for disabled women and girls
RUDIWA, based in Uganda, is using its funding to support disabled women and girls by offering access to education and sporting programs. The organization has provided books, menstrual hygiene products and other supplies to 25 participants who could not afford them. Beyond that, RUDIWA has created inclusive sports programs where women with disabilities can engage with their community, find fellowship and gain valuable life skills. By providing educational resources and sport opportunities, RUDIWA is fostering greater inclusion and empowerment.
Impact Academy – Egypt: a boxing academy for women and girls
Impact Academy Participants
In Egypt, Impact Academy, a boxing initiative for women and girls, is saving its funding to secure a permanent practice space. This thoughtful, strategic move will allow them to create a safe, self-sustaining space for their athletes, free from the disruption they often face in rental facilities. Impact Academy is planning to use their space for training and to generate income, making this an example of sustainability in action.
A focus on capacity building and future plans
One of the key elements of the NWSF is its commitment to supporting both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Each of the five groups has been allocated 10 capacity-building hours to help them with essential areas such as grant applications, financial management, curriculum development and more. These tailored consultations aim to empower the organizations to become self-sufficient and expand their impact.
“We’ve heard from many groups that this funding is life-changing,” said Hardie. “This is often the first time they’ve received unrestricted funding, which allows them to make their own decisions on how to spend the money. That level of trust and flexibility is incredibly empowering.”
The fund has also received positive feedback for its accessibility.
“The application process was so easy, and we really appreciate the opportunity to learn how to do things on our own,” said one participant. Many organizations expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be guided in a way that respects their local expertise while also offering valuable resources for their growth.
Looking ahead: round two of funding and research initiatives
Ashlyn Hardie winning the GRIT award for her New Way Sport Fund
As the summer approaches, NWSF is gearing up for round two of funding. With funding support from the Center of Sport Management Research and Education at Texas A&M University already secured for the next funding cycle, the call for applications will open in July, allowing for new organizations to benefit from this funding mechanism and the embedded support resources. In the meantime, NWSF is conducting research on the outcomes of the funded groups, collaborating with Marlene A. Dixon (Texas A&M), Dr. Kat Raw (Swinburne Institute of Technology in Melbourne), and Dr. Per Svensson (Louisiana State University) to assess what strategies are most effective in creating sustainable change through sport.
As Hardie highlights, “I could not be leading this on my own. Essential collaborators and supporters include the funders — CSMRE at Texas A&M and the GYS4D Initiative — along with the Practitioner Advisory Committee, which consists of Nora Dooley, the director of Soccer Without Borders, Juliana Roman, member of La Nuestra Feminista, and Pappu Modak, secretary and head of Sports and Hope for Independence.”
With a focus on collaboration, trust and empowerment, the New Way Sport Fund is paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable future for sports-based social change worldwide.
SunWoo Park, Clemson Ph.D. candidate, presents her research on the college football sport experience at a CSRI poster session
Clemson University’s Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) recently showcased at the College Sport Research Institute’s (CSRI) annual conference on college sport held March 19-21 in Columbia, South Carolina.
CSRI’s mission is to encourage and support interdisciplinary and inter-university college sport research, serve as the research consortium for college sport researchers from across the United States, and disseminate college sport research results to academics, college practitioners, and the general public.
As a premiere sponsor of the event, RHBSSI contributed to the success of the conference and engaged in meaningful discussions with scholars, practitioners and industry leaders studying college sport. Several RHBSSI faculty fellows and Clemson students attended, gaining valuable insights and sharing their cutting-edge research and innovation in sport. This gathering highlighted the Institute’s commitment to advancing research, education and collaboration on issues in intercollegiate athletics.
Clemson expertise on college sport
Faculty and Ph.D. students from the following Clemson departments attended the conference on behalf of RHBSSI and presented their research on college sport.
Chris Corr, Clemson University / Robert Hoffman, The Pennsylvania State University Abington / Richard M. Southall, University of South Carolina / Christopher Atwater, Troy University
Sarah Stokowski, Clemson University / Alex E. Chisholm, Clemson University / Andrew Rudd, Franklin Pierce University / Michael Godfrey, Clemson University
“‘Thank you to the Institute for supporting me to attend CSRI,” said Sarah Stokowski, associate professor of athletic leadership in the Clemson University Department of Education and Organizational Leadership Development. “I had the best time! It was also nice to see so many of my Clemson colleagues in attendance.”
Sponsorship impact
RHBSSI Assistant Director, Kayla Rogers, at the sponsorship table
“The CSRI conference provided an engaging venue to meet experts from across the country leading the academic study of college sport,” said John DesJardins, interim director of RHBSSI. “Our faculty fellows from Clemson’s College of Education have a rich history of attending, presenting at, and leading the conference, and we were honored to be involved this year and support several faculty and students to attend and present.”
RHBSSI set up a table at the event, providing an established space to meet attendees and talk about potential cross-over.
“Partnering with CSRI was the perfect opportunity to support Clemson faculty in the field and facilitate more cross-collaboration – between our faculty and those at other universities studying intercollegiate athletics,” said Kayla Rogers, assistant director of RHBSSI.
“Brooks helped make the conference be the best that it could be and I’m beyond appreciative and grateful,” said Chris Corr, executive director of CSRI and senior lecturer at Clemson University.
