Clemson University. Athletic Dept.

Intercollegiate athletics were first played at Clemson Agricultural College in 1896 when Professor Walter Merritt Riggs coached the first Tiger athletic team in football. In the years that followed, other sports were introduced: baseball, 1900; track, 1905; basketball, 1911; tennis, 1919; golf and cross country, 1921; swimming, 1924; soccer, 1967; men's fencing, 1970-1971, wrestling, 1975-1976. In 1955 Clemson became coeducational and sports for women were added. Other sports for women achieved varsity status years later: swimming, 1974-75; basketball, fencing and tennis, 1975-1976; volleyball, field hockey, and cross country, 1977-1978. Throughout its history, the athletic program at Clemson University was aided substantially by the organization IPTAY. Since 1978, IPTAY has assisted with the funding of numerous improvements: the football stadium, the baseball stadium, the indoor tennis facility, the soccer stadium, the outdoor track, the weight room, the golf practice area, a cross country course, the Banks McFadden building, and Vickery Hall Academic Learning Center. IPTAY also provided funds for scholarships and to the Tiger Band for travel, uniforms, and equipment.