After nearly having program cut, Clemson track and field wins ACC Championship

The Clemson men’s track and field program was nearly cut a couple of years ago. Now, for the first time in almost 20 years, the Tigers are ACC champions.

Clemson captured the ACC Outdoor Championship over the weekend, winning the title for the first time since 2004.

The Tigers won in dramatic fashion, finishing in first place in the final event — the 4×400 relay. Clemson trailed leader Florida State by four points entering the final event but earned 10 points by winning the 4×400.

In the end, Clemson finished with 92 total points to edge out FSU, which finished with 91.

“I’m very proud of our team. It’s what championship is all about,” Clemson head coach Mark Elliott told the ACC Network on Saturday. “You see where we started today, but we knew a championship is never perfect. It wasn’t perfect for us, but they’re resilient kids and I loved the way they competed.”

CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/UJ3yIIZRjZ

— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) May 13, 2023

Elliott is in his 10th season as the head coach at Clemson, after previously working with the LSU program.

The victory marked Elliott’s first men’s ACC title.

“It’s 10 years in the making,” Elliott said. “I’m happy for the coaching staff, happy for all the support people, happy for our administration. It’s just one of those things. Championships are very hard to win, as you see that.”

Cameron Rose was named the men’s track MVP after an incredible performance at the ACC championship.

Rose won three events, taking home the title in the 200 meter, 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay.

“Everybody takes care of everybody, man, we’re a team,” Rose said on the ACC Network. “They tried to cut us not too long ago. We back.”

Added Wanya McCoy, who was also a part of the 4×400 relay team: “Clemson track and field is back, people. Remember that.”

Clemson nearly cut men’s track and field

In November of 2020, Clemson announced that it was cutting the men’s track and field programs, in part because of Title IX issues.

Five months later, the University reversed its decision.

Instead of cutting men’s track and field, Clemson added two women’s sports — lacrosse and gymnastics.

“This is the right decision for our University, our Department of Athletics and, most importantly, for the young men and women who proudly wear the Clemson uniform,” Clemson President Jim Clements said in April of 2021. “I am thrilled that we are able to continue these men’s programs and I am excited for the new varsity opportunities we will soon be adding for our female student- athletes.”