Note: The following appears in the South Carolina football gameday program.
Clemson’s first coordinator of its Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) activities never dreamed he would have a significant role in Clemson’s football program when he first came to the school as a student in August 1983.
He did hope to be involved with a legendary coach, but it was in a different sport.
C.D. Davies came to Clemson as a recruited walk-on infielder under Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Wilhelm with the hopes of contributing to one of the top baseball programs in the nation. He had an outstanding high school career that included playing in the American Legion World Series.
“I grew up in the state of Ohio and my family was full of Ohio State Buckeye fans,” remarked Davies. “The first time I heard of Clemson was the 1978 Gator Bowl when the two teams played for the first time.”
Davies was a walk-on in the fall of 1983 for Wilhelm’s squad, but he was cut at the end of the fall.
“Baseball did not work out, but I loved Clemson and graduated in 1986.”
As it has turned out, Davies is now working with a future Hall of Fame football coach in a position that did not exist on any college campus two years ago.
In 2021, the NCAA made a radical change in its rules by allowing student-athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness. Prior to 2021, there were strict rules against student-athletes earning money for their autographs, commercials or public appearances.
It has led to a new industry, one that athletic departments all over the country are trying to navigate. It is not known how many schools have created a full-time position like Davies’ within the athletic department to advise and support student-athletes about their opportunities with NIL.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney could not have hired a more experienced person for his NIL coordinator position. He has more than three decades of experience as an executive and industry leader in lending and banking.
“The reason I am doing this is because I owe Clemson,” stated Davies, who is married to his wife, Jamie, with children Danielle Shaffer and Drew. “My kids went to Clemson. I met my wife here. My son-in-law is Richie Shaffer, who was a very good baseball player here. We are very much Clemson people. Getting the opportunity to be involved with this program was something I wanted to do.”
In addition to his role with Clemson, Davies serves as the CEO for Figure Acquisition Corporation.
His impressive business background…