Chasing Greatness: Clemson Athletics' Defining Year in Review
- Tiger View Media Staff
- Dec 27, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 4
2024 was a thrilling year for Clemson Athletics, filled with unforgettable moments and significant milestones. The Tigers exceeded expectations and pushed the limits of what was expected across several sports. From historic victories in baseball and basketball to standout performances in football, softball, and gymnastics, the Tigers demonstrated their hard work and talent. 2024 solidified Clemson’s place as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics, representing greatness with every sport.
Clemson Basketball Had Something to Prove
After the NCAA’s heartbreaking decision to leave the Tigers out of the 2023 Tournament despite a strong 14-6 ACC record, Clemson entered the 2023-2024 season with a chip on their shoulder. The Tigers finished the season with a 24-12 record, highlighted by several historic victories. One of the season’s defining moments came when they defeated North Carolina 80-76, securing their second-ever win at the Dean Smith Center. Their impressive season earned them a 6th seed in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region, where they dominated 11th-seeded New Mexico by more than 20 points in the first round. Clemson then shocked the basketball world with a stunning upset over 3rd-seeded Baylor in the second round and followed it up with an incredible win against 2nd-seeded Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen, marking their fifth all-time appearance at that stage and their first since 2018. The Tigers advanced to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history before falling to Alabama 89-82 in a hard-fought battle. Forward Ian Schieffelin earned ACC Most Improved Player honors, averaging 10.1 points per game, while All-ACC First Team selection PJ Hall signed with the Denver Nuggets, capping off an exceptional season.
A New Standard: Clemson Softball’s Fifth Season of Excellence
In only their fifth season, the Tigers Softball team has been on a rapid rise since its inception in 2020. Under the leadership of Head Coach John Rittman, the Tigers have quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in collegiate softball. This success is thanks to a combination of a strong pitching staff, a dynamic offense, and a highly skilled coaching team. The 2024 season was another impressive one, finishing with a 35-19 overall record and a 15-9 mark in ACC play. The Tigers were led by several key players, including Valerie Cagle, one of the most electrifying and versatile players in NCAA softball. As the team’s ace pitcher and a key part of their offense, Cagle’s contributions were nothing short of exceptional. She tallied 101 strikeouts for the season while maintaining an impressive .340 batting average, showing her ability to succeed in all aspects of the game. Her impressive performance earned her the honor of being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball College Draft—a testament to her talent and leadership. Another outstanding player for the Tigers was Mackenzie Clark. Clark finished her career with 198 runs and set Clemson career records in triples (13), runs (198), and stolen bases (46). She led the team in 2024 with 53 runs scored. Her leaping catch at the fence in the ACC Championship semifinals earned her the No. 3 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10. Millie Thompson stepped up big for the Tigers this year after injuries occurred. Over 91.0 innings, she tallied 75 strikeouts while just allowing 12 extra-base hits. Remarkably, Thompson didn’t issue a single walk in 19 appearances, only allowing 10 all season—representing her control and dominance in the circle. Clemson entered the 2024 ACC Championship as the fifth seed, marking the fourth consecutive season Clemson has entered the tournament as a top 5 seed. The Tigers fell 4-3 to Duke after a hard-fought battle. The game stretched into 10 innings, the loss keeping them just shy of the championship game. The Tigers played in the Tuscaloosa Regional of the NCAA Tournament, but despite a strong effort, they were unable to advance. Clemson outscored opponents 296-146 across 49 games, with their offense delivering 404 hits. The Tigers maintained a solid .300 team batting average and an impressive .390 on-base percentage, further highlighting the power of their offense. Clemson softball’s future is undeniably bright, and success is due to the talent, hard work, and dedication of the players and coaching staff.
Clemson Baseball Achieves What They Haven’t in Years
The Clemson Tigers baseball team had an exceptional 2024 season under second-year head coach Eric Bakich, finishing with an impressive 44-16 record. Led by standout performers like Cam Cannarella, who hit .337 with 11 home runs, the Tigers showcased talent and resilience. While overcoming a shoulder injury early in the season, Cannarella’s remarkable performance earned him the prestigious Brandon Streeter Award. On the mound, freshman Aidan Knnak made history by becoming the first Clemson pitcher to earn All-American honors as a freshman. Knnak also claimed the 2024 National Freshman Pitcher of the Year award after an amazing season in which he struck out 108 batters—the most ever by a Clemson freshman. Clemson finished the regular season with a strong 20-10 ACC record, clinching the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament. Although the Tigers earned a win over Louisville, a loss to Miami ultimately prevented them from advancing further in the tournament. However, the Tigers earned a spot as one of the 16 regional hosts in the NCAA Tournament, marking their 18th regional appearance since 1980. As the No. 1 seed in their regional, Clemson hosted a competitive group that included No. 2 seed Vanderbilt, No. 3 Coastal Carolina, and No. 4 High Point. The Tigers defeated Coastal Carolina 12-5 to clinch the regional title, with Jacob Hinderleider earning Regional MVP honors after batting an outstanding .600 during the tournament. Clemson then welcomed No. 13 Florida for a Super Regional, marking the fifth time in program history that they had hosted, and the first since 2010. Unfortunately, the Tigers fell to Florida, ending a remarkable season and one that makes all Clemson fans excited. In the MLB Draft, catcher Blake Wright was the first Tiger selected, going in the fourth round to the Colorado Rockies, marking another milestone for the program.
Gymnastics Inaugural Season Success
Clemson Women’s Gymnastics has captivated fans in its inaugural season, quickly becoming one of the most popular sports on campus. Under the leadership of Amy Smith, the program is right behind football as the fan favorite. The team made an impressive debut on January 12, 2024, with a commanding victory over William & Mary, scoring 196.325 to 190.050. The Tigers enjoyed strong fan support, averaging an attendance of 8,477 over their first four meets and gaining 3,360 season ticket holders—the sixth-highest in the nation. The team delivered an exceptional 6-3 record on the competition floor in their debut season. They placed second at the ACC Championship with a score of 196.425. Clemson earned a spot in the Gainesville Regional of the 2024 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Tournament, where they barely missed advancing, falling to Iowa State by just 0.25 points. There was a lot of individual success on this team: Lilly Lippeatt was named the ACC Newcomer of the Year and earned recognition on two All-ACC teams. Head Coach Amy Smith, a former All-American and National Champion, was honored as ACC Coach of the Year. Fans should be super excited for the upcoming season. Three Tigers were named to the ACC Preseason Watch List, including standout freshman Hannah Clark, highlighted on the newcomer watch list. Clemson enters the 2025 season ranked No. 4 in the ACC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches’ Poll, signaling even greater expectations for the Tigers.
The 2024 Football Journey
The 2024 Clemson Tigers Football team had eyes on them before the season started. Many wondered if Dabo Swinney, in his 16th full season, could guide the Tigers back to championship form after a few challenging years. Questions also surrounded quarterback Cade Klubnik, whose inconsistency left doubts about his ability to lead Clemson in high-stakes games. The season kicked off with a tough loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, but the Tigers bounced back, winning their next six games and climbing to 5-0 in ACC play. However, a tough loss to Louisville exposed weaknesses in Clemson’s game plan, sparking widespread criticism and dissatisfaction among the college football world. Despite finishing the regular season with a 9-3 overall record and 7-1 in ACC play, playoff and conference championship hopes were doubtful. The Tigers caught a break when Syracuse staged an incredible comeback to defeat Miami, allowing Clemson to compete in the conference championship. In a thrilling and nerve-racking game, the Tigers secured a hard-fought victory over SMU, highlighted by a 56-yard game-winning kick by Nolan Hauser, earning their spot in the College Football Playoff. Critics were quick to question if Clemson deserved a spot in the playoffs, and as the No. 12 seed, they faced a challenge against the Texas Longhorns on their home turf. Although the Tigers ultimately fell short, Cade Klubnik delivered a standout performance. Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns against a Texas defense that had allowed only 159.2 passing yards per game all season. Despite the highs and lows of this season, the Tigers outperformed expectations, finishing the season with a 486-328 scoring margin and racking up 337 first downs. Six former players were taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, with Nate Wiggins going in the first round to the Baltimore Ravens. Clemson fans have a lot to be excited about, with Cade Klubnik expected to be in the race for the Heisman in 2025.
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