John Seketa Named Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University

CLEMSON — The Clemson Alumni Association has named retired assistant athletic director John Seketa as an honorary alumnus in recognition of his hard work and devotion to Clemson University and the Alumni Association.

Over the past 28 years, Seketa has contributed to the athletic department’s success. During home football games, Seketa was game manager, coordinating all game-day activities in Clemson athletics, Tiger Band, the university administration and several student groups.

He also was executive director of the Tiger Letterwinners Association. He expanded football reunion activities and Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies, significantly increasing attendance. In 2004, Seketa received the ACC Basketball Officials Association Fred Bakarat Award for outstanding service and dedication to the ACC and its basketball officials.

“John has played a significant role in enhancing all our Olympic sports by generating marketing plans and concepts that promote opportunities for our fans,” said Bill D’Andrea, executive senior associate director for IPTAY external affairs. “His contributions in this area have made a profound impact on our coaches’ ability to recruit.”

Seketa has also played a crucial role in making Military Appreciation Day a celebrated campus tradition, lobbying for its creation and designing the annual football Military Appreciation Day T-shirts that benefit Clemson’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs. Two years ago, ACC administrators invited Seketa to share his expertise in Clemson’s military recognition, resulting in similar observances of Military Appreciation Day at every ACC institution.

“There is no question that John Seketa’s leadership has established Clemson as the best in the nation with regard to our Military Appreciation Day,” said D’Andrea.

Seketa continues to serve the university as a member of Tiger Brotherhood and of the Clemson Corps Scroll of Honor Committee. On the committee, he assisted the creation of the Scroll of Honor Memorial by monitoring design modifications and the construction progress, as well as developing sources for fundraising. Seketa also volunteers for Toys for Tots, Wounded Warriors and Families of Fallen S.C. Military.

Seketa received his Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1981. Before arriving at Clemson, he was the promotion director at Eastern Illinois University.

Any Clemson alumnus can nominate someone to be an honorary alumnus. Honorary alumni are specially selected by the Alumni Council for their outstanding service, lifelong devotion and loyalty to Clemson University or the Clemson Alumni Association. To see past honorary alumni or to view the award guidelines, visit the honorary alumni web page.

– Ashley Hedrick

END