NFL
By: Zach Draves
The movement to save the Clemson track and field/cross country teams are gaining momentum.
After the men’s programs were put on the chopping block back in November due to supposed COVID related financial concerns and Title IX violations, a grassroots effort organized by the team has found profound allies in the legal and political arena
A pending class-action suit has been filed against the University for depriving current and potential male athletes of equal participation opportunities, a clear violation of Title IX.
Furthermore, the women’s track/cross country teams merged with the women’s rowing team have retained counsel for a potential class-action suit of their own against the University due to Title IX violations of unequal treatment and unequal financial aid.
The women’s teams expressed full support for the men’s teams.
This is a historic move as this could be the first time men and women athletes have filed Title IX suits against a University while in full solidarity with one another and could potentially change how Title IX cases of inequity in sports are viewed and ultimately decided.
This is such a powerful statement from these students. I hope the @ClemsonUniv administration & board listen to them. Sometimes what appears to be a good economic decision can also have long lasting negative impacts on the morale & culture of an institution. https://t.co/OjBizOYRbu
— Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) March 16, 2021
The movement has gained support from some notable South Carolina political figures including former Senatorial candidate and current Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison.
But it was State Senator Marlon Kimpson (D) that really got the most attention as he delivered a powerful and compelling statement on the floor of the Senate.
I took to the Senate floor today to help make the case to save the @ClemsonTrackXC from termination. It’s imperative that we find a solution. Thank you @MiaforSC @margieBmatthews @geraldmalloySC for adding your voices. @SaveClemsonXCTF pic.twitter.com/sA3xd35H8y
— Marlon Kimpson, Esq. (@KimpsonForSC) March 18, 2021
He fully is aware of the glory brought on by the program and recognizes that this arbitrary move by Athletic Director Dan Radakovich runs in-congruent with that legacy.
(Courtesy: Twitter)
“It seems like a very drastic departure from the history of the Athletic Department to eliminate a very decorated program” he said.
If anyone was suited to speak out on this matter it would be Senator Kimpson, particularly because in recent years, he has introduced timely legislation to guarantee that student-athletes are compensated for their name, image, and likeness.
He is also taking measures to thoroughly examine the extent of Clemson’s athletic budget since the State Legislature has to approve the budget, especially when it comes to their decorated football team.
“I have always questioned our expenditures for the football team and while I have no problem providing competitive salaries for coaches, most of it is on par with CEOs on Wall Street.”
Dabo Swinney makes $8.3 million annually whereby South Carolina’s current Governor Henry McMaster’s salary is estimated at $106,078 as of 2013. https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/2020/08/24/clemson-football-coach-dabo-swinney-take-687-500-pay-cut-year/5627890002/
It is also worth mentioning that the football facility has been provided with an abundance of amenities that make you feel as though you are at Chuck E Cheese rather than College.
Not only a state-of-the-art weight area, but a bowling alley, putt-putt golf course, laser tag, and an indoor slide.
All estimated at $55 million. https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-clemsons-football-facility-2017-10
Meanwhile, Senator Kimpson is keenly aware of not trying to invoke the obvious elephant in the room of this matter, race.
The majority of the members of the track and cross country teams are black and given the history of the Jim Crow South, the Senator sees a way to get something done without explicitly stating the obvious.
“I struggle to invoke race in this discussion because I recognize this is a red state. If you are willing to get something done in the South, you avoid race” he said.
Perhaps there could be more of a consensus built to save the program in that way even as Senator Kimpson and others recognize the generational impact of cutting the track and cross country program will have on black students and athletes.
We will see what transpires but one thing that is obvious is that this movement is only going to continue to grow from here and the motto of “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” is in full effect.
Senator Kimpson has received expressions of interest from some of his colleagues to move ahead with issuing an inquiry to investigate the athletic program.
Also trying to get to the bottom of why the AD made this decision without bringing it to the attention of the state.
“If they told us they were losing money, we could have helped out so the AD wouldn’t cut the program” he said.
“If the Athletic Program loses money, we can look into where the gaps can be filled.”
So many questions with little to no answers.
The Senator and the movement at large will continue to keep the pressure on Clemson.
The dignity and humanity of these and future athletes are on the line and we must keep on keeping on.
#SaveClemsonXCTF
