Clemson BOT has Verdict on Student Athletic Fees

CLEMSON — The Clemson Board of Trustees passed a per-semester athletic fee, during its quarterly meeting Friday at the Madren Center in Clemson.

The action item of an athletic fee was passed unanimously, as students will be charged $150 per semester beginning in the fall of 2025.

The Clemson BOT also passed that the athletic department can tag an admissions fee to all non-Clemson Athletic events where Clemson Athletic venues are being used, such as he Savannah Bananas coming to Memorial Stadium on April 26 and future NCAA or College Football Playoff events.

The admissions fee will be up to Clemson Athletics on discretion.

Statement from Clemson Athletics

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.

The Clemson Insider reported Thursday the athletic department is seeking clarification for requirements when it comes to adding bond fees for non-athletic events that are using athletic facilities. Events such as the Savannah Bananas appearance at Memorial Stadium on April 26 or future NCAA or College Football Playoff events hosted by Clemson Athletics.

Currently, Clemson is the only public college in the state that does not require its students to pay athletic fees.

The average cost of athletic fees by other public colleges or universities in the state is $1,000. The University of South Carolina already charges its students an athletic fee roughly around $150.

TCI also learned from sources that student athletic fees have no direct correlation with the House vs. The NCAA settlement.