Replies: 19
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Letterman [267]
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Posts: 249
Joined: 2/25/15
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The making of a Clemson baseball fan in Tennessee
May 31, 2015, 3:07 PM
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Over a decade ago I was finished with college athletics. The state school that I had supported was signing one thug after another, and their off field antics embarrassed me to the point that I quit wearing their apparel and I quit watching their games. I continued to support high school athletics and especially enjoyed games that involved youth from the church that I was a part of. Matthew Crownover was one of those young men. Matthew could be found before and after class visiting with a couple of teen foster young men who had experienced hellacious abuse at the hands of their biological parents. Those older teens read on a second grade level and stayed in trouble at school and at home. Matthew treated them with tremendous kindness and respect. Matthew spent time talking with all of the elderly men in the congregation about their favorite college and pro teams. Matthew was an excellent Bible student and public speaker. I met almost all of Matthew's extended family - as his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents would pack out our church building on the couple of Sunday nights a year that Matthew would speak. When Matthew committed to Clemson 5 1/2 yrs ago, I started loosely following their baseball team. When he became part of the team, I began watching the games he pitched. In that 1st season, as I overheard player conversations and listened to interviews, I realized that Coach Leggett was intentionally recruiting young men of high moral character. It wasn't long before I was watching or listening to any Clemson baseball game that I could fit in my schedule - regardless of starting pitcher - because I found myself rooting for all of these exceptional young men. I suspect that I'll continue to watch these young men that I've become a fan of for long after Matthew leaves Clemson. I'm very proud of these student athletes and what they've accomplished through much adversity. It was so refreshing to find a program that valued academics and moral character at least as highly as athletic prowess. This will be my last post of the season as I only keep up with Clemson baseball. God bless you all.
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Hall of Famer [24544]
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Great post!!!!!!
May 31, 2015, 3:15 PM
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Well said about Matthew....
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Legend [18310]
TigerPulse: 79%
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Joined: 11/3/03
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Re: The making of a Clemson baseball fan in Tennessee
May 31, 2015, 3:19 PM
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I wish we had more fans like you. Go Tigers.
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All-In [25393]
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Thank you for your contributions and your support during
May 31, 2015, 3:22 PM
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the season.
Hopefully, you'll return next season to offer the same.
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CU Medallion [67817]
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Joined: 11/30/98
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Re: Thank you for your contributions and your support during
May 31, 2015, 3:42 PM
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and try some football in between. you may find you like it
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Orange Blooded [2419]
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Joined: 3/5/07
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Re: The making of a Clemson baseball fan in Tennessee
May 31, 2015, 4:14 PM
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Thank you. I always enjoy your posts. Have a good rest!
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Orange Blooded [2679]
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Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/29/99
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Very nice post.
May 31, 2015, 4:42 PM
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I attend services where Matthew's parents now attend. I haven't met then but I'm sure that they have seen my support for Clemson in the parking lot. I keep meaning to meet them because I have heard the same about Matthew and there is an obvious Clemson connection. Maybe I know you and don't even know it lol.
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Letterman [267]
TigerPulse: 92%
Posts: 249
Joined: 2/25/15
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Re: Very nice post.
May 31, 2015, 5:19 PM
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Ken, I'm surprised that I haven't met you. My name is Tim Cooke and I'm a mechanical engineer. I was a deacon at Brainerd for many years. A little before Brainerd merged with East Brainerd, my family moved to Clear Creek. I spend 1/2 of my Sunday's there and 1/2 of my Sunday's in Gruetli-Laager with my parents. You will find that Matthew's mom, dad and sister Kelby are just as exceptional as he is. I could share many stories, but have second guessed myself a bit for sharing the personal tidbits about Matthew that I shared to start the thread. When my older children are in town, we typically visit East Brainerd, because all of the people that they know attend there. I will look for you on our next visit
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Orange Blooded [2679]
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Sounds good
May 31, 2015, 11:15 PM
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Look forward to meeting you sometime - I sent you a T-mail as well. Reply to that and I'll give you some more details to get in touch with me.
As a side note - there are some interesting parallels between Matthew and another former Clemson recruit (who sadly had to go ahead and sign with MLB due to circumstances), Daniel Norris.
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CU Medallion [52307]
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Joined: 10/10/11
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Thanks for supporting Tiger baseball
May 31, 2015, 4:53 PM
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I hope you will check out the football team this season.
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Hall of Famer [22965]
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Joined: 6/24/99
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Very classy post! Clemson baseball has, by and large,
May 31, 2015, 5:08 PM
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managed to avoid "character" problems for the last 50 years or so---and usually maintained a very good team gpa (or gpr, if you prefer)......coupled with all sorts of on the field success, Clemson baseball has long been a program Tiger fans have been proud of.....
And I do want to apologize for some of the Tigernet posts of late that have fallen FAR short of the level of class both you and young Mr. Crownover have displayed.
Thanks again!
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Legend [17285]
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Winning the right way with high character players is best!***
May 31, 2015, 5:11 PM
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CU Guru [1427]
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Re: The making of a Clemson baseball fan in Tennessee
May 31, 2015, 5:54 PM
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I've enjoyed your baseball posts. You really support the team. I wish we had more fans like you. Unfortunately, you have found that when things are not going well with a Clemson sport, we have as many unreasonable fans as any other school. Look forward to your posts again next season.
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All-In [25961]
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Joined: 7/31/07
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Re: The making of a Clemson baseball fan in Tennessee
May 31, 2015, 6:15 PM
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Take care Baseballfan. I still wish I had your optimism but I don't. Be safe.
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All-TigerNet [10632]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Joined: 12/29/06
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Wonderful post about a great young man! I am...
May 31, 2015, 6:34 PM
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extremely proud of the type of young men and women that we are recruiting to come to Clemson. If we continue to follow that path, I have no doubt that we will continue to gain more and more fans like you!
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110%er [5400]
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Great post. If you like athletes and programs of high
May 31, 2015, 7:36 PM
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Moral character, you need to meet Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football team. Coach Leggett does things the right way. I'm sorry that is not appreciated more by some on this board.
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110%er [8866]
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Re: The making of a Clemson baseball fan in Tennessee
May 31, 2015, 7:36 PM
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Great post. You point gets lost on a lot of people. Our coaches do recruit outstanding men and women to represent Clemson University. I believe all of our coaches give their ALL to this university and the players.
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Orange Blooded [3257]
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Joined: 7/27/99
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Thanks for your support & give Clemson football a try.***
May 31, 2015, 7:48 PM
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Oculus Spirit [90819]
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Joined: 10/18/09
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GREAT & welcomed post "BaseBallFan"!
May 31, 2015, 10:27 PM
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So which college team "did" you support?!
GoTiGERS
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Orange Blooded [4504]
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Joined: 11/30/98
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Thanks for the great post and adopting Clemson baseball.
May 31, 2015, 11:04 PM
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You are the type of fan we need more of and hope you are able to catch some football or basketball games if you have time. Really enjoyed reading about the fine young man that Matthew is and thankful he chose to be a Clemson Tiger. God bless!
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Replies: 19
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