After serving as Clemson’s Athletic Director for nine years, Dan Radakovich has left Clemson for Miami. His departure ended an era, and began another that now has Graham Neff serving as Clemson University’s 14th athletic director.
“This institution will remain committed to serving our studentathletes and helping create the best opportunity to win championships,” Neff said in a Dec. 23 press release. “Clemson’s national profile continues to grow, and I believe the best is yet to come.”
Neff previously served as the deputy director of athletics until being officially promoted to Athletic Director on Dec. 23, 2021.
Thanks to a close bond with Radakovich, as Neff and him worked together at Goergia Tech before their time at Clemson, it can be expected that Neff will continue to build upon many of Radakovich’s departmental goals and objectives.
In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Neff thanked Radakovich for his leadership and promised to “build on his success and take Clemson Athletics to even greater heights.”
Considering the renovations completed under Neff and Radakovich’s leadership, including the construction of the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex and renovation of Littlejohn Coliseum, fans and alumni can remain confident that Neff will continue the improvement of athletic facilities.
Neff is also expected to oversee the continued development of the Cornerstone Partner Program, which is instrumental in awarding scholarships to deserving student-athletes. Additionally, the P.A.W. Journey program, which helps prepare athletes for life after their eligibility ends, is anticipated to advance under his guidance.
Neff has been an advocate for student-athletes’ mental health and emphasizes the importance of the “student” half of student-athlete; under his guidance, the average student-athlete GPA has remained above a 3.0 for almost five straight years.
Neff is no stranger to the dynamics of the Clemson University Athletic Department, and though he may be young at only 38, he has proven he has the skills to improve athletic programs. Since arriving at the university in 2013, Neff has been in roles such as chief financial officer and director of capital projects.
His many accomplishments include the advancement of Clemson’s IPTAY rewards program and $200 million worth of upgrades for the betterment of student-athlete’s physical and mental health.
Clemson has been fortunate to have great leadership in athletics for the past decade. Neff now has the opportunity to build on his legacy and improve Clemson’s programs even further.