Bond Distinguished Athletes Award Winner – Nick Lomax

Written by: Ashby Burton and Nik Johnson

Orange: The Experience Magazine | V17 , Issue 2

The Bond Distinguished Athletes Award was created in 2013 by Margaret Segars Bond (’84) and her late husband, former Clemson golfer Steve Bond (’80). The couple’s goal was to leave a legacy that would honor student-athlete alumni and recognize them for their success measured outside of athletic competition. The Bonds aimed to give attention to those who have gone on to do great things in life after athletics.

Each year, the award is celebrated with a customized gold ring, an engraved plaque prominently displayed in the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, and gameday recognition in Memorial Stadium. To qualify for the award, recipients must have lettered in a sport and be more than ten years removed from graduation. The individuals selected have demonstrated exceptional character, strong citizenship, and outstanding service, including support for their community, family, and Clemson University.

“I’m so thankful for my late husband Steve’s innovative idea to create the Bond Distinguished Athletes Award,” said Margaret. “It was his way of giving back to Clemson. What an amazing journey this has been for me to carry on his legacy! It has not only added value to my life, but also to Clemson University and Clemson Athletics.”

This year’s recipient, Manning N. “Nick” Lomax, has been a fixture in the Clemson community since he played left field for Clemson Baseball from 1961-63. Lomax has made a continuing impact in his various roles with the University, helping to shape Clemson into the institution it is known for today. Nick’s Clemson story began when he enrolled as a freshman student in 1959, attending on scholarship to play for Coach Wilhelm’s team and enrolling in ROTC. He and his high school sweetheart, Sally, came to Clemson together and the two were married before Nick’s senior year in 1962. They have been married for over 63 years, with most of that time spent right here in Clemson.

Nick started working for Clemson after graduation as a member of the grounds crew before serving in the Army for over two years. During his active duty, he wrote to Clemson President Robert C. Edwards expressing interest in working at the school. This letter landed Lomax a job in the housing office as a resident counselor, finding him and Sally living amongst the students in Johnstone Hall. After a few years in this role, President Edwards, along with many others, was impressed with Lomax’s dedication and service to Clemson, and he was promoted to vice president for student affairs.

The organizational chart of Clemson University looked much different during this period. Then, the director of athletics reported to the vice president for student affairs. Therefore, Lomax oversaw the athletic department during his tenure while also overseeing housing operations, disciplinary matters, and serving as an advisor to many other administrators.

Nick was a major advocate for student safety and made sure all those under his eye were prioritized and cared for during their time on campus. He often walked around campus at night to identify areas that needed more lighting and would strap chains to his tires to drive key personnel to and from campus during the snowy and icy months. It was efforts like this, and more, that formed Nick’s legacy as a selfless leader of this University.

His time with Student Affairs coincided with periods of significant advancement for the school. During his tenure, the African American and female student populations at Clemson both continued to increase. Nick’s leadership, among others, helped keep the University steady during this era of transition. “Clemson is all about the people,” said Nick. “We had good people around us to help us do what needed to be done.”

In the following years, Lomax became Vice President for Administration and Secretary to the Board of Trustees. His roles allowed him to have a direct impact on the school’s growth, including major facilities projects. He became an important figure in advocating before South Carolina legislators for the importance of investing in these projects, which included the construction of the Walker Golf Course and the Madren Center. The addition of both facilities proved to play a significant role in the exposure, accessibility, and overall growth of Clemson University.

Throughout his career at Clemson, dating back to his time as a resident counselor, Nick seized every opportunity to contribute to the school in various capacities. From vice president roles, to working in the housing office, the Alumni Association, the Campus Police Department, the old Clemson House Hotel, and Dan’s Sandwich Shop on the corner, Nick knew Clemson was the place he and his family were meant to be.

“You name it. If Clemson had a job out there somewhere, I tried my best to go out and get it,” said Nick, reflecting on his time at the University. “It was a wonderful place to spend a life. Our children feel like they had an enchanted childhood here,” mentioned his wife Sally. Nick worked at the University for 31 years before retiring in 1996. His career of service and dedication to Clemson earned him the Clemson Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

Comparing the University today to 60 years ago, when Nick first began his tenure, the growth and evolution of Clemson is evident to all who have been a part of it as long as the Lomaxes have. Despite all of the change, all that Nick needs to see are smiles for him to know the University remains the special place it always has been.

“As long as the students continue to have a smile on their face, I see that and know they are having a wonderful experience. It makes me happy for them and happy for the University,” he said. “The programs may be different, but the outcome is the same.”

Receiving the 2025 Bond Distinguished Athletes Award came as a complete surprise to Nick, but it means a great deal to him. After his close friends, Tom Chapman received the award in 2016 and Cecil Huey received in 2022, Nick is honored to join them and the accomplished individuals who make up this distinguished group.

“It means a lot to me,” said Nick, speaking of the recognition. “After you look at an award like this and read about its meaning, it makes me very proud to be included in that group who have already been honored.”

“I look at the list of people who have gotten this award, and it makes me very proud of Nick for all he has done to earn it,” said his wife, Sally. Right by his side throughout his entire career at Clemson, Nick credits her with saying that he couldn’t have done anything without her help and support.

“Years have flown by since the inception of this special award,” said Margaret Bond. “Nick Lomax truly represents everything this was set out to honor. Having the opportunity to meet and become friends with such extraordinary people has brought me much joy. I am blessed to add number 13, Nick Lomax, and his wife Sally, to this list of great people.”