Clemson Legacy
THE FUTURE
Every time I return to Clemson, South Carolina, I feel a spiritual connection to God. As I nostalgically walk through campus with my entire family, I uncontrollably beam with pride. I remember when they used to visit me during my time in undergrad. My grandmother bringing so much home cooked food, it felt like she was feeding the whole campus, and everyone joyously attending games to watch my husband, Coty Sensabaugh, and the Tigers play.
Watching my son and my daughter experience this Clemson tradition, this rich legacy of Clemson is God's gift. As a student who once depended on merit-based scholarships, work-study opportunities, bartending, and a supplemental nutritional program to survive, to now provide scholarships to students so they can obtain their Clemson degree is a dream come true. During my undergraduate years, although blessed with a full academic scholarship, I had to work two jobs and receive food stamps to survive. Today, by the grace of God, my family is providing scholarships for students to attend this university that I so cherish. I always knew that God had a plan for me and that I was created to serve and positively impact my community, but I never knew it would be on this level and have such magnitude.
MEET MY CLEMSON FAMILY
Meet Jeff Davis, aka the Judge. JD is a man of God who serves his family with intentionality, dedication, and love. When I say the word "family," I mean the hundreds of students whom Jeff and his beautiful wife Joni Davis, have positively impacted over the decades. After playing on the 1991 National Championship team, Jeff was drafted to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later returned to Clemson to impart his wealth of knowledge within the Clemson community and Clemson University Football Program.
In 2002 Jeff was inducted in the Clemson Ring of Honor, and his most recent profound accomplishment includes the creation of P.A.W. Journey.
Through the Sensabaugh Family Foundation, my husband and I recently made a $50,000 donation to the P.A.W. Journey football program. This donation will serve as a resource to develop an alumni-player mentorship program for student-athletes pursuing a football career in the professional arena. P.A.W. Journey, a program-wide initiative for Clemson Football in which all coaches, staff, and student-athletes participate and is designed to cultivate leadership in the student-athletes through personal growth, life skills, and professional development. This journey prepares each young man to be an example by sustaining a lifestyle of winning.
Meet my brother Rashard Hall. Rashard played defense as a Clemson Tiger alongside my husband Coty, in one of the greatest defensive classes Clemson football has seen. Rashard went on to obtain his MBA from Clemson and is married to my beautiful sister and Clemson Graduate, Brittany. Rashard is Director of Career & Professional Development for P.A.W. Journey and is trailblazing unique opportunities for football players to develop professional life skills off the field.
Meet my brother and sister, Travis and Chandler Blanks. This beautiful couple is the future of Clemson Athletics. As an IPTAY officer, Travis is diligently working to bridge the gap connecting former players back to the university.
Meet my brother Jarvis Jenkins. During his time at Clemson, Coty & Jarvis were roommates and teammates. Jarvis is not only a phenomenal football player; he is an excellent businessman, family man, and community leader. He and his beautiful wife, Arleen, just gave birth to their baby girl, Skye. As a native of Clemson, South Carolina, Jarvis is sowing seeds in his community, setting a positive example for the youth of the area with his free youth football camp and lighting an entrepreneurial torch by opening businesses and creating economic growth within the town in which he grew up.
Meet Erin Armstrong, my mentor, and teacher during my time at Spring Valley High School. She was instrumental in my success and the love and guidance that she poured into me at such a pivotal time during my adolescent years, saved my life. Erin encouraged me to apply to Clemson University (that alone on which I will forever be indebted to her), She also helped me apply for scholarships, taught me life skills that I still use today and poured love and much-needed discipline, as if I was her daughter. She also raised another Clemson Tiger, the beautiful Peyton, who is finishing her final year and will graduate in May.
Meet my family, the people responsible for helping me obtain a degree from Clemson University.
I am a first-generation college graduate, and although my name appears on my Clemson degree, I would be remiss to think or imply that I achieved my success without the love and support of my family. The support system that helped me attend Clemson University on a full academic scholarship and graduate with honors. These are the people that instilled greatness in me. My grandparents, who instilled the importance of integrity and a solid work ethic, and helped to raise me into a strong woman. My amazing mother, who taught me that higher education is the gateway to everything and to fearlessly pursue it. My beautiful sister, who supported me throughout every moment of my life and set a positive example, a leader and mother. My brother in law, Julius, who has dedicated his life to serving this country and his family. My beautiful my nieces and nephews. My in-laws Kim & Becky Sensabaugh, who raised the amazing man, Coty Sensabaugh, who I have the honor to call my husband.
Finally, to my children, two of the most significant motivating factors in my life. I love you from the depths of my soul. I never imagined that when your father and I met in front of Tillman Hall almost 12 years ago that God would bless us with two beautiful, bright-eyed babies. You both bring out the best in me. You both inspire and encourage me to reach new heights. I love you both so much.
Welcome to my home. Welcome to my, Clemson.
