By Griffin Barfield
Eight undergraduate students, each from a unique discipline, who are integrating sport into their academic and career pursuits, were recently selected to receive scholarships from Clemson University’s Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Endowed in the memory of Robert H. Brooks’ late son, Mark Brooks ’91, this fund provides scholarships to undergraduate students at Clemson studying in a sports-related field. Students in departments represented by faculty who engage with the Institute are chosen based on selective criteria, including their accomplishments and career aspirations as they relate to sports science.
The following students have been awarded Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Grayson Gentz: Department of Automotive Engineering
Gentz is a junior Automotive Engineering major and team captain of the Clemson University Baja Racing Club, competing in off-road racing. With hopes to work in the automotive industry in the near future, Gentz says that this scholarship will help his dreams of being an automotive engineer “come true.”
“As an automotive engineer, I plan to develop new and innovative performance parts for the defense and motorsports industries,” he said. “Receiving the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship helps me continue my dream since I was 16 of completing a degree from Clemson’s Department of Automotive Engineering and becoming part of the next generation of innovation.”
Ashley Abbott: Department of Bioengineering
Abbott is a senior Bioengineering major focused on sports engineering. Currently, she works with Bioengineering Professor and RHBSSI Faculty Fellow, Reed Gurchiek, in his human movement biomechanics lab, investigating concepts about the pain of gait using delayed onset muscle soreness as a model.
“Through courses and research in biomechanics, I’ve seen how engineering can improve athlete performance and rehabilitation in many ways,” Abbott said. “This scholarship supports my passion and inspires me to keep pushing the boundaries of sports science.”
In the future, she hopes to work with professional athletes and teams with performance and muscle recovery.
Maria Pocorobba: Department of Communication
Pocorobba is a senior Communication major, emphasizing in strategic communication. For the past year, she has served as a creative solutions intern for Clemson Athletics. Previously she worked with the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, Clemson University Student Government and Cadency, the University’s student-led creative agency in the Erwin Center for Brand Communications. This scholarship will allow her to continue combining her passions for sport and creative design.
“I am determined to continue along this path and seek more opportunities that will advance my skills in sports content creation, during my time at Clemson and beyond,” Pocorobba said. “I am passionate and eager to bring my creativity to the sports industry, and am looking forward to what the future of sports media holds.”
Pocorobba will be continuing to intern with Clemson’s Athletic Department during the 2025-2026 school year as a graphic design intern and also taking on a new role as a marketing and fan experience intern. Post-graduation, she hopes to continue using these creative skills within the sports industry.
Ariana Pensy: Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development
Pensy is a senior double major in Sports Communication and Psychology with a double minor in athletic leadership and legal studies. She has various roles as a contributor for TigerNet, and she is a sportswriter for several Chicago sports publications as well as being a volunteer and consultant for her local varsity high school football team. Pensy has also studied the legalities of sports contracts as well as the positive effects of sports in our society as contributing to physical and mental health, social development, and a sense of community.
“What a privilege it is to receive the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship! I am truly humbled to be presented with it,” Pensy said. “Its history and foundation in affording myself and so many others the opportunity to be a valuable asset to society in the realm of sports science is an honor I will work tirelessly to uphold and will never forget, and for which I have deep gratitude.”
In the future, Pensy intends to work in the NFL as an analyst.
Hailey Wiethoff: Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences
Wiethoff is a senior food, nutrition and packaging sciences major who heard about the scholarship from her work on a Clemson Creative Inquiry project called “Best is the Standard.” The team designed the structure and graphics for materials to be used in a Clemson Football recruiting photoshoot.
“I was able to work through the design process from start to finish for the photo shoot props and gain lots of experience with the work that goes into creating marketing materials for the sports industry,” she said.
Wiethoff hopes to continue work in structural and graphic design, possibly for a professional sports team.
Amy Lokhorst: Department of Graphic Communications
Lokhorst is a senior Graphic Communications major and Sports Communication minor. She is currently the marketing director of Clemson Pickleball, handling all of its digital media communications.
With the scholarship, she will continue her work in the field as a student, continuing to work with both of her passions: sports and design.
“I applied for this scholarship because sports have impacted my life in many ways, including inside and outside class,” Lokhorst said.
In the future, she hopes to work as a team’s digital media manager or for an agency associated with sports.
Emma Shurley: Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM)
Shurley is a junior PRTM major concentrating in sport management. During her time at Clemson, she worked as a promotional and game day experience member for the Greenville Drive while also serving as a ticket sales and operations intern. She serves on the student advisory council for PRTM.
“I am grateful and honored to be named a Brooks Scholar and would not be where I am today without the Robert H. Brooks Sport Science Institute,” Shurley said. “I cannot wait to see what the future holds and the opportunities this will present.”
Shurley will spend the month of May in Indianapolis, Indiana working for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a guest experience programs intern. She hopes to pursue a job in motorsports after graduation.
Matthew Hirsh: Department of Marketing
Hirsh is a junior Marketing major working as a corporate services and client services intern for Clemson Athletics. From these experiences, he has learned how to bring a marketing campaign to life and enhance fan experience. Hirsh is also part of the Sales Innovation Program in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business.
“This scholarship means so much to me as I continue pursuing my passion for sports marketing,” he said. “I am excited for the opportunities ahead and motivated to make the most of this experience as I prepare for my future in the industry.”
Hirsh will be studying abroad in Spain this summer, working with Real Madrid C.F. to gain more knowledge about the sports industry. He hopes to work in the field with a professional sports team.
To learn more about how the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute supports Clemson students, click here or visit Clemson.edu/Brooks-Sports.
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