GIVING TO Clemson: Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy
Founded in 2018, the Clemson Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy program exists to provide high-quality adaptive sports programming in the Upstate and beyond. These efforts are focused on adaptive sport and recreational therapy opportunities for Clemson University’s student body, as well as opportunities for local, regional, and national community involvement. We believe that all individuals, regardless of functional ability, have the right to participate in sports and recreation, and we are working to provide opportunities for engagement from beginner recreation participation all the way to elite-level competition. Housed at Clemson University in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, the Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy program utilizes strategic collaborations across the University to provide sport and recreation opportunities for all.
You can support any of our efforts by donating today! Donations to the Clemson Adaptive Sports and Recreation Excellence Fund support the Varsity Adaptive Athletics and Community-Based Programs. Donations to the Clemson Adaptive Soccer Fund support the paralympic soccer program, which can be found in the drop-down menu below:
To ensure your donation is directed to the proper initiative, please review the following information, and select an appropriate designation in the drop-down menu below:
- Clemson University Varsity Adaptive Athletics – The Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy program, in collaboration with the Athletics Department, is the home of the Clemson Wheelchair Tennis team, the first varsity collegiate adaptive athletics program in South Carolina and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Donations to this fund help provide critical support to the team via scholarships, equipment purchases (sport wheelchairs, team apparel, etc.), travel needs for competition and recruitment, infrastructure such as insurance, athletic training, and strength and conditioning support, and marketing and promotion activities.
- Community-Based Adaptive Sports – The Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy program provides community adaptive sport and recreation activities for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities through the following programs:
- The Palmetto Games: A regional adaptive multi-sport competition for wheelchair tennis, track and field, air rifle, swimming, and archery. Donations to this fund support the Games through facility rentals, fees and travel support for officials, shirts for participants and volunteers, an awards banquet, and marketing and promotion efforts.
- The Clemson Classic: An annual regional juniors wheelchair basketball tournament that gives youth aged 5-17 in the Southeast region of the U.S. an additional competition during the basketball season. Donations to this fund support the Clemson Classic through facility rental, fees and travel support for officials, shirts for participants and volunteers, awards, and marketing and promotion efforts.
- Clemson Wheelchair Tennis Championships: An annual all-comers wheelchair tennis tournament intended to fundraise for the varsity wheelchair tennis team. Donations to this fund support the tournament through fees and travel support for officials, prize purses for division winners, shirts for participants and volunteers, awards banquet, and marketing and promotion efforts.
- Paralympic Soccer Program – A University supported Paralympic soccer training program for individuals with cerebral palsy, severe visual impairments, and traumatic brain injury or stroke who are earning a Clemson University degree. A veteran’s component also exists to help provide training and certifications for injured veterans looking to start soccer programs in their communities. Donations to this fund would provide support for recruitment efforts, scholarships, travel, and a stipend for coaches.
