Katsiyannis named University’s faculty athletic representative

Alumni Distinguished Professor Antonis Katsiyannis has been named Clemson’s faculty athletic representative (FAR) by Clemson University President Jim Clements. 

“Dr. Katsiyannis is an outstanding leader who cares deeply for our students. I worked with him previously when he was President of the Faculty Senate, and I saw firsthand his dedication and commitment to the University,” said President Jim Clements. “I am very thankful for Dr. Janie Hodge, and I appreciate her years of excellent service as our Faculty Athletics Representative. I know that Antonis will continue to ensure that our student-athletes excel in the classroom.”

The faculty athletic representative represents the University and its faculty in the University’s relationships with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They must be a tenured associate or full professor who has served on Clemson’s faculty a minimum of ten years.

“I am deeply honored to be selected to serve as the faculty athletic representative,” said Katsiyannis. “Clemson University has a rich tradition in excellence in both academics and athletics and serves as an enviable model nationally. Our student athletes not only compete at the highest level on the field but also perform admirably in the classroom.  Looking forward to representing our university in this important function with distinction and integrity! I am ‘all in!’”

The primary duty of Clemson’s FAR is to ensure academic integrity in the functioning of the athletics program. To that end, the FAR will periodically review appropriate records of student athletes, especially as they relate to eligibility requirements; and will a vital participate in the system of eligibility checks and balances. The FAR also chairs the Athletic Academic Oversight Committee (AAOC), and serve as a voting member of the Athletic Academic Review Committee (AARC).

The FAR’s most important duty may be promoting a balance in the student-athlete’s experience among athletics, academics, and social life. Clemson has always aimed to provide a full range of activities for all its students, including athletes, but recognizes that student athletes may need particular encouragement and aid in seeking out opportunities not associated with athletics. The FAR is there to offer encouragement and aid, and reinforce Clemson’s commitment to giving its student athletes, along with all its students, an education first and foremost.

Clemson athletics has a distinguished history of putting academics first. Seven of Clemson’s teams matched or set multi-year program records for Academic Progress Rate (APR) in a 2020 NCAA poll, which includes the 2015-16 through 2018-19 academic years. Clemson earned four 2020 APR public recognition awards, as baseball, football, men’s cross country and women’s golf each earned recognition as ranking in the top 10 percent of their sport in the eligibility, graduation and retention metric. The football program produced a multi-year program-record 993 mark, which ranked fourth among all FBS programs, and encompassed a 55-4 overall record with two National Championships.

Katsiyannis will enjoy stepping into a program that has built considerable momentum over the last few years; with baseball, women’s golf, men’s cross country, football, women’s track, women’s tennis, and men’s soccer each matching or setting new program records for academic achievement in 2020.

Katsiyannis received his doctorate from the College of William & Mary in special education administration.  Currently, as Alumni Distinguished Professor, he is teaching courses in assessment and legal and policy issues. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Class of 39 Award for Excellence and the 2018 Frederick J. Weintraub Outstanding CEC Leadership Award.  He has served as the President of the Faculty Senate and as the President of his professional organization, the Council for Exceptional Children.