For the first time in school history, Clemson University students will pay an athletics fee starting next year.
As reported by The Charlotte Observer, .the Clemson University Board of Trustees voted Friday to approve a proposal for each Clemson student to pay a mandatory athletics fee of $150 per semester added to each student's tuition starting in fall 2025.
The $300 annually per student per regular academic year will be used “solely for athletic operations expenses directly associated with student-athlete services and student experience,” according to a presentation by athletic director Graham Neff, who stated in his presentation that every Division I public university in the state of South Carolina currently charges an athletics fee. This includes Clemson’s top rival, South Carolina, and Coastal Carolina, the state’s only other NCAA Division I FBS school. He added most Power 4 schools either charge a student fee or require students to purchase game tickets.
According to the Greenville News, Neff emphasized the revenue generated from the athletic fee does not tie into name, image and likeness. Moreover, The Clemson Insider learned from sources that student athletic fees have no direct correlation with the House vs. The NCAA settlement.
Ten of the school's 13 Board of Trustees approved the proposal, with Nikki Haley, Louis Lynn and Robert Peeler voting against it, the News reported.
A statement from the athletic department reads:
The first pillar of the University’s strategic plan, Clemson Elevate, highlights the overarching goal to provide the Nation’s No. 1 Student Experience. Athletics plays an important role in that experience, not only from intercollegiate athletics successes but also through the maintenance of intramural fields and access to athletics facilities for major events. The communal experience and shared memories at athletics events and venues remain a priority for our University.
Clemson has long been one of the only national universities to not derive financial support to athletics through its student population – either through a fee or ticket expense – and is one of the few to offer free admission to students at every athletic event. Seven other NCAA Division I South Carolina public universities charge an athletic fee, averaging $1,082 per semester.
The $150-per-semester athletic fee, which will go into effect next academic year (2025-26), will reflect the institution’s commitment to a healthy and vibrant varsity athletic program and an investment in the student experience.
Our athletics department continues to aggressively explore all available options for generating revenue, both short and long-term. This includes record-breaking fundraising efforts and innovative business strategies to help even the financial playing field of intercollegiate athletics and support all 21 varsity sports and 600 student athletes.
