If there was one word to describe the 2024-2025 Clemson Athletics year, it would be “unforgettable.” From thrilling walk-offs to record-setting performances, the Tigers delivered a year packed with drama, milestones, and storylines that will be remembered for years to come. Let’s rewind the clock and relive the highs and lows of this remarkable year across all sports.
Fall: Championship Kicks and Unfinished Business
Football
It was a year of resilience, heartbreak, and a kicker with ice in his veins. Clemson Football, led by Dabo Swinney in his 17th (16th full) season, posted a 10-4 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the ACC. The Tigers captured their conference crown in epic fashion: Nolan Hauser drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Clemson to a thrilling 34-31 victory over SMU.
That win secured Clemson’s sixth College Football Playoff appearance—a historic milestone in the first year of the 12-team format. Unfortunately, the Tigers’ playoff dreams were dashed by Texas, who knocked them out 38-24 in the first round. Still, it was a season that showcased grit, talent, and a coach who remains synonymous with Clemson’s modern-day success.
Men’s Soccer
Coming off a 2023 national championship, the men’s soccer team carried a target on their back all year long. Under 15th-year head coach Mike Noonan, the Tigers went 15-3-4 and 5-2-1 in the ACC. They reached the ACC Championship final but fell to Wake Forest. The NCAA Tournament offered another crack at glory, but once again, Wake Forest played spoiler, ousting Clemson in the third round.
Women’s Soccer
It was a rebuilding year for Eddie Radwanski’s squad. The Tigers finished 6-8-3 (2-7-1 ACC) in his 14th season, showing flashes of potential but ultimately falling short of expectations.
Volleyball
The newly renovated Jervey Gym provided a fresh stage for Jackie Simpson Kirr’s fourth season. Despite the energy in the building, the Tigers went 11-20 (3-17 ACC), a tough learning year that left the team eager for improvement next season.
Winter: Hoops and History on the Hardwood and the Mat
Men’s Basketball
Brad Brownell’s 15th season at the helm was one for the record books. Clemson Basketball put together a historic run, finishing 27-7 overall and 18-2 in the ACC. Big wins over Kentucky, Duke, and UNC highlighted a season where the Tigers set program records for regular-season wins (26), overall wins (27), and posted their first winning ACC road record since 1986-87. Those 18 ACC wins were also another school record as well.
While the headlines were big, the heartbeat of the team came from its veterans: Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin. Both stayed loyal to the program through the current times of Transfer Portal and NIL, they truly embody the grit and passion that defines Clemson Basketball. Hunter, who led the team with 16.5 points per game, was electric on both ends of the floor—always the guy who wanted the ball when the game was on the line. Schieffelin, meanwhile, anchored the frontcourt with 12.4 points per game and a team-best 9.4 rebounds per contest, bringing unmatched energy and hustle every night on the hardwood. These two guys were the true epitome of “Clemson Grit”.
A disappointing 76-73 loss to Louisville in the ACC semifinals and a shocking first-round NCAA Tournament exit to McNeese (69-67) reminded everyone how cruel March can be. But this season will be remembered for its grit and its record-setting journey.
Women’s Basketball
The 2024-25 season marked a new chapter for Clemson Women’s Basketball under first-year head coach Shawn Poppie. Despite a final record of 14-17 overall and 6-12 in ACC play, the Tigers showed flashes of growth and resilience, knocking off ranked opponents like No. 20 Cal (69-58), Stanford in overtime (65-61), and No. 19 Georgia Tech (68-61).
The team’s engine was senior Loyal McQueen, who led Clemson in scoring with 13.5 points per game. McQueen was a steady presence, shooting an impressive .424 from the field, .389 from beyond the arc, and .849 from the free-throw line, while dishing out a team-high 154 assists. She was the leader who set the tone every game.
Senior Mia Moore emerged as a versatile threat, adding 10.8 points per game while shooting .408 from the field and a team-best .416 from three-point range. Her 55 assists provided a spark in the backcourt.
In the paint, Tessa Miller gave Clemson a reliable presence, leading the team with a .538 shooting percentage while contributing 8.2 points per game. She cleaned the glass with a team-high 185 rebounds and anchored the defense with 19 blocks.
Sharp-shooter Hannah Kohn was the perimeter sniper, launching a team-high 244 three-point attempts and converting at a .353 clip. She also chipped in 9.2 points per game and was deadly at the line, hitting .871 of her free throws.
The Tigers’ season ended in heartbreak, falling to Louisville 70-68 in overtime in the ACC Tournament after beating Stanford in the opening round. But after seeing flashes of resilience from this Women’s Basketball team, the future under Coach Poppie looks bright in Tigertown.
Gymnastics
It was Clemson’s second season of gymnastics under Amy Smith—and the first to truly feel like a program finding its footing. Every home meet was a sellout as the Tigers went 5-7 overall and 2-4 in the ACC. They finished 5th at the ACC Championship and made the NCAA Tournament, where they topped Rutgers before falling in the second round to Florida, Oregon State, and NC State.
One moment stole the show: on February 28, Brie Clark made history by becoming the first collegiate gymnast to land the Biles I on floor—an electrifying highlight that lit up the crowd in LittleJohn.
But the program’s momentum didn’t stop there. After the season, Amy Smith was let go, and Clemson landed a coaching coup: Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo and reigning ACC Coaches of the Year, were named co-head coaches. Their track record at Cal promises big things for Clemson Gymnastics.
Spring: A Season of Near Misses and New Highs
Baseball
Under Erik Bakich in his third year, Clemson Baseball put together another strong season, finishing 45-18 overall and 18-12 in the ACC. The Tigers reached the ACC Tournament final before falling to UNC in a tough 14-4 loss. They hosted an NCAA Regional for the third consecutive year—a feat only Clemson and Arkansas accomplished this season. Clemson started strong, defeating USC Upstate 7-3, but fell in back-to-back games to West Virginia (9-6) and Kentucky (16-4), ending their postseason earlier than hoped.
This team, though, was defined by its stars. Cam Cannarella was an offensive catalyst, leading the team with a .353 batting average, scoring 62 runs (tied with Dominic Listi), and tallying 22 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, and 52 RBIs. His .530 slugging percentage underscored his consistent power threat. Dominic Listi wasn’t far behind, hitting .310 with 62 runs, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, and 47 RBIs, slugging .468—all while bringing energy and leadership to every game.
On the mound, Aidan Knaak was the reliable ace once again, going 9-1 with a 4.18 ERA across 16 starts. He racked up 110 strikeouts in 90.1 innings, often matching up against some of the ACC’s toughest lineups. Lucas Mahlstedt was the Tigers’ bullpen stopper, with 15 saves—third-most nationally. His 3.00 ERA, 4-1 record, and 61 strikeouts in 48.0 innings showcased his ability to shut the door late in games and give the Tigers a chance to win games.
While the season ended short of Omaha, the emergence of Cannarella, Listi, Knaak, and Mahlstedt proved that Clemson Baseball isn’t just about tradition—it’s about the stars who continue to raise the bar for the future.
Softball
History was made on the diamond. In its sixth season under John Rittman, Clemson Softball went 48-14 (19-5 ACC), finishing second in the conference but capturing its first-ever ACC Championship with a gritty 2-1 win over Florida State.
One of the season’s defining moments came courtesy of Kylee Johnson, who launched a clutch two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning of the ACC title game to help the Tigers take down FSU 2-1 and bring the championship trophy home to Tigertown.
Earlier in the season, Marian Collins delivered a performance that fans at McWhorter Stadium will never forget: she hit two home runs against archrival South Carolina, including a walk-off blast in the ninth inning over the left-center field wall, sealing a thrilling 2-1 victory and setting off an amazing night to be in McWhorter Stadium.
The Tigers hosted and won a regional in dominant fashion, but fell heartbreakingly in a Super Regional showdown with Texas. After winning Game 1, Clemson dropped the next two games—coming just 60 feet away from a Women’s College World Series berth in Game 2.
Still, it was a year of records: program bests in games played, batting average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, and more. Defensively, too, the Tigers were rock-solid. It was a season that set the standard for the future, showing that Team Six had the heart—and the bats—to stand with the nation’s best.
Women’s Lacrosse
In just its third season, Clemson Women’s Lacrosse continued to establish itself as a rising powerhouse under head coach Allison Kwolek. The Tigers finished 14-7 overall and 6-3 in the ACC, reaching the ACC Semifinals with a commanding 15-7 win over NCAA Quarterfinalist and No. 9 ranked Duke. From there, Clemson took down No. 15 Navy 11-8 to reach the NCAA Sweet 16.
Impact players this season included attack Lexi Edmonds, Lindsey Marshall, and Kayla MacLeod, along with midfielder Kira Balis.
With four of the team’s losses coming to Final Four teams, the Tigers proved they could compete with the best. The No. 1 recruiting class—featuring Alexa Spallina and Emma Penczek—only adds to the momentum for 2026. Clemson fans have every reason to believe this program is primed for national success.
Men’s Tennis
Second-year head coach Brandon Wagner guided the Tigers to a 22-8 record (8-5 ACC), reaching the ACC quarterfinals and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Quinnipiac.
Women’s Tennis
Boomer Saia’s second season saw the Tigers finish 14-12 (4-8 ACC), make it to the second round of the ACC Championship, and come just short against Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament in a 4-3 loss.
Closing the Book on 2024-2025
Clemson Athletics’ 2024-2025 year had it all: last-second heroics, record-shattering seasons, gut-wrenching losses, and coaching changes. From Nolan Hauser’s 56-yarder to Brie Clark’s Biles I to the diamond’s near-misses and the hardwood’s record books, the Tigers gave fans plenty to cheer—and plenty to look forward to.
As the dust settles and the next season’s preparations begin, one thing is certain: the Clemson Tigers remain a force to be reckoned with in the College Athletics landscape. And with a championship mindset ingrained in every program, the best may be yet to come as Dabo Swinney would put it.
