After it was just lately introduced that Clemson had efficiently secured the switch of six gymnasts from Utah State College, for a lot of followers of the game the information is relatively stunning. Clemson is a model new program that received’t make its debut till two years down the highway. At first look it feels inadvisable {that a} potential switch would change colleges whereas understanding she’d must take a hiatus to proceed her faculty profession. But not one, however six gymnasts willingly pursued this selection, and did it with regard to a brand new college that’s over 1,900 miles away.
Clemson’s present head coach Amy Smith was the previous head of the Utah State program. It’s her private relationship with these gymnasts that has helped facilitate this transfer. However even with that connection in thoughts, I’m persevering with to see gymnastics followers specific bewilderment over Clemson’s announcement. How may Clemson pull off such a staggering coup and with such ease?
For the gymnastics group, it simply skilled its first notable second the place the facility of Clemson was lastly unleashed. If there may be any doubt as to why six gymnasts left Utah State for Clemson, keep in mind the next quantity.
130
That’s what number of main soccer colleges exist on the highest degree of NCAA soccer. In faculty soccer there’s a important emphasis positioned on recruiting class rankings and 247 Sports activities is likely one of the finest identified websites for measuring the power of every crew’s incoming class. In line with 247 Sports activities, Clemson’s final three class rankings had been as follows:
14th, fifth, third
In line with 247 Sports activities, Utah state’s final three class rankings had been the next:
eighty fifth, 126th, 122nd
Whereas there may be not a lot in frequent between faculty soccer and gymnastics, within the realm of recruiting, there may be. No matter which sport an athlete participates in, the main components encouraging a prospect to make his or her resolution are largely the identical. Whether or not its gymnastics or soccer, the model recognition, convention affiliation, teachers, location, and services have the identical impact pulling an athlete in direction of that specific college.
The huge variations between Utah State and Clemson within the faculty soccer pecking order offers Clemson the same benefit within the realm of gymnastics. Irrespective of how a lot of an upstart Clemson’s gymnastics program is, it has the sources to outmuscle applications which have been a part of the game for many years. All on the easy foundation that Clemson has sources at its disposal that dwarfs all however a handful of applications.
If you’re confused as to how this upstart program was in a position to land six transfers, it’s as a result of Clemson is likely one of the wealthiest athletic applications within the NCAA. Its athletic finances previous to the Covid-19 Pandemic was $132 Million a 12 months. That is an establishment that may supply potential recruits (or on this case potential transfers) essentially the most luxurious lodging together with dorms, eating halls, coaching halls and leisure facilities which can be unique to its student-athletes. Clemson can’t solely supply lodging which can be far superior to the common faculty pupil, however lodging that enormously exceed all however a small variety of gymnastics applications.
Gymnasts who select the Clemson Tigers not solely get the good thing about a rich program, however one with a large fanbase. Regardless of being two years out from its season debut, the Twitter account Clemson created for its gymnastics crew gained a bigger following than future ACC rival North Carolina State throughout the first week of this system being formally introduced. Since then, the principally dormant Twitter account has managed to deliver itself to inside 600 followers of Pitt, the second largest of its three future ACC rivals. It’s possible that by the point Clemson makes its competitors debut it would have already got the biggest social media following inside its personal convention.
When Clemson’s gymnastics program was first introduced, those that are aware of the NCAA energy construction instantly understood that this was going to be a recreation changer. The arrival of Clemson was not going to be like all up to date instance of a brand new college becoming a member of the game. The arrival of Clemson meant the inclusion of a program able to instantly upending different applications and would have little standing in its method to changing into one of many strongest applications within the sport.
Even earlier than Amy Smith was named its head coach, there was pleasure over the arrival of this program just because it had the backing of one of many richest athletic departments within the nation. For individuals who are die onerous gymnastics followers able to reciting any web page throughout the Code of Factors from reminiscence, however weren’t aware of this college as a result of it had beforehand lacked a gymnastics program, Clemson’s sextuplet switch class simply showcased what all of the fuss was about.
