“Don’t ever let anything be ordinary; ordinary is average, normal, usual and commonplace.”
It’s an adage that Jim and Candace Brown live by. And on Dec. 3, the Brown family solidified that notion, committing an extraordinary gift to support IPTAY and Clemson Athletics. The commitment is the largest in IPTAY history and among the largest in University history. The gift will support several areas of Clemson’s Athletic program, including football and basketball.
“Since I was a small kid, it’s always been the people at Clemson that are special – the way they connect and care about one another,” said Jim Brown, whose family has been a Cornerstone Partner. “We raised our children going to Clemson Football games, and the atmosphere – the friends you make – it’s a mini-family reunion seven times a year. The thing that’s most special is the people and the family connections. It’s hard to describe in words when you are there, and the education and opportunity Clemson has provided so many is inspirational. The people make Clemson, Clemson.”
“We are thrilled to do this for Clemson, and it’s because of our love for Clemson,” said Brown. “We’ve had three children graduate, and one with aspirations to graduate from Clemson. We love the people at Clemson, from President Clements to Graham Neff, Davis Babb, and Aaron Dunham, and on down the line. We’ve got a long-standing relationship with our program leaders, including Coach Brownell and Coach Swinney, and this is in support of them. This is about helping Clemson, and doing things for Clemson.”
The Brown family resides in Florence, S.C. Jim is a businessman and philanthropist with a long connection to Clemson Athletics.
“On behalf of IPTAY, I want to express my deep appreciation to Jim and Candace Brown for this inspirational commitment,” shared IPTAY CEO Davis Babb, “Their transformative gift will impact the lives of Clemson student-athletes for generations to come. Through programmatic, facility, and scholarship support, they will change lives and create opportunities for our young people that would not have been previously imaginable. Their generous hearts speak volumes about who they are and how they want to keep Clemson on this remarkable trajectory for years to come. We are forever grateful to them and look forward to seeing what the future will bring as a result of their philanthropy.”
Clemson has now received 27 Athletic Cornerstone gifts from 23…