Knightly News

“With Clemson being my dream school, I knew immediately when I had received my acceptance letter that I would be attending,” Tristen Rigby, Class of 2021

When you know, you know, and Tristen Rigby has that confidence about his decision to attend Clemson University and walk on to the school’s championship-caliber football team. “Clemson is the right fit for me because it is the environment that I want to be in,” he says. “It benefits me in higher education and character building.” Tristen, who plans to major in mechanical engineering with the goal of becoming an aeronautical/aerospace engineer, says the opportunity to play sports was not the primary reason for selecting Clemson. He values the academic program the school provides, and the chance to suit up for the Tigers is a bonus. “I get goosebumps and my heart accelerates every time I think of stepping onto campus, going to practice, seeing a full capacity Death Valley with roaring fans, and so much more,” says Tristen.

Hard Work Pays Off

Tristen was a member of the Knights football team all four years of Upper School. Before that, he played a year with the Baton Rouge Raiders in the BREC youth football league. Episcopal head football coach Travis Bourgeois says Tristen has certainly earned the opportunity to continue his football journey. “We have never had a player make every summer workout for four years,” he says. “Tristen became the first. That tells you about his commitment and dedication.” That hard work paid off, and Bourgeois says Tristen had an outstanding senior season in which he contributed in every phase of the game. Knights strength coach Wally Stevens congratulates Tristen on accomplishing his goal. “For someone as committed to being a good teammate as Tristen is and the amount of work he puts in, I am so happy that he gets to have this opportunity,” he says. “He deserves this and then some.”

In addition to working hard on the football field, Tristen also competes on the Knights’ track & field team. He was a member of the band his freshman and sophomore years, and he competes with the Mu Alpha Theta math club.

Advice for Classmates

Now that Tristen’s dream of attending Clemson has become a reality, he offers the following advice for classmates with a similar goal. “First, find your why,” he says. “If you are not wanting to be better at what you do, then why are you doing it? Second, do not try to be anybody else. Be yourself in the game and in life. Have fun while you are in the moment. Third, always work to be better. Work hard today because tomorrow is never guaranteed, so make the most out of every second. There is always room for improvement. And lastly, have respect. Have respect for the people who helped you, compete against you, and for yourself.”  Great advice from a graduating senior!

​Join us in congratulating Tristen on achieving his dream. Wish him well in the comments section below.

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