Pictured are Clemson legends Wayne Buckingham, Coach Cliff Ellis and Dale Davis at the recent Orange and White Weekend in Clemson. Buckingham helps put on this big event. (Courtesy photo).
CLEMSON — The Clemson Family.
It’s a popular phrase that I’ve heard a bunch of times since I moved to South Carolina two years ago.
Well recently, I got to see firsthand that “Clemson Family” with the Annual Orange and White Weekend. Wayne Buckingham, nicknamed Tennessee Buck, does a great job of hosting this annual event. He gave a heartfelt speech about how much it meant for him to graduate from Clemson University and then to help raise money for good causes.
“The key is to give back,” said former Clemson men’s basketball coach Cliff Ellis, who has won 828 Division I games. “Your basketball players become your family. When they are at a young age of 18 to 22, you are there to help guide them to whatever they want to do. You look at Wayne (Buckingham) and he brings people back. He puts on a program that allows people to stay in touch. He’s giving out scholarships from this (event). It’s a win-win situation. You support that. You support your family.”
About Buckingham as a basketball player, Coach Ellis said, “He was one of the most highly-touted players that we had (at Clemson), but he blew his knee out and that’s advice to the young people. You’ll have adversity and he (Buckingham) bounced back.”
It was Country Night and recording star Lee Newton sang a couple of her songs for everyone.
Just a few of the Clemson celebrities who made it back were NBA stars Greg Buckner and Dale Davis, and NFL All-Pro Donnell Woolford. Clemson football stars Ricky Sapp and Homer Jordan were present, too. Not to be overlooked is former Clemson football coach Danny Ford.
The list goes on and on.
“We all keep in touch,” Wolford said. “Wayne (Buckingham) pours his heart into the (Clemson) community. You don’t find too many people doing that.”
The Celebrity Golf Tournament on Sunday is a great way to cap off the weekend, too.
Ending note: It was an honor to meet Donnell Woolford and Coach Cliff Ellis. I made sure to buy the book from Coach Ellis that is called “Life’s A Dance” and Coach Ellis wrote inside my book: “Jeff, enjoy the dance! I hope you take writing to another level.”
I look forward to reading his book during basketball season.
When Coach Ellis was asked what advice he’d give to an up-and-coming hoopster, he said, “Be true to yourself, work hard, have fun, set your goals and be able to manage those goals.”
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.