Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center Officially Opens

On April 4, 2025, IPTAY and Clemson Athletics celebrated the official opening of the Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center. Named in honor of the Cornerstone Gift made by the families of Steven and Michael Watt, this state-of-the-art 55,000 square-foot facility will have an immediate impact on hundreds of Clemson student-athletes and their respective programs. The Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center continues to reinforce Clemson’s intentional commitment to offering an elite student-athlete experience, providing the young men and women who wear the Paw with cutting-edge resources and technology unmatched anywhere else in the country. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of the Watt Family, this new addition will revolutionize the training and wellness experience for student-athletes and is poised to set a new standard in collegiate sports facilities.

The centerpiece of this initiative is the remarkable Strength & Conditioning Center, equipped with cutting-edge amenities designed to propel athletes to their peak performance. This center will include a 40-yard dash area, providing a space for speed and agility training that is crucial across various sports disciplines.

In alignment with its commitment to comprehensive athlete well-being, Clemson’s new facility will house an innovative Wellness & Recovery Space. This space will offer a range of advanced features such as Cryo Therapy, Sensory Deprivation, Theralight, and HydroMassage, all aimed at aiding athletes in their physical recovery and mental rejuvenation. The Hydrotherapy & Recovery Pools, complete with Hot/Cold Plunge Pools, an Underwater Treadmill, and a Custom Lap Pool, further exemplify the university’s dedication to providing state-of-the-art resources for athletes’ recuperation and rehabilitation.

The new facility will also house a state-of-the-art Sports Medicine Clinic, boasting dedicated Exam and Procedure Rooms to ensure swift and comprehensive medical care for athletes. A Gatorade Fuel Bar and Sports Nutrition Services will cater to athletes’ dietary needs, while the Bistro & Outdoor Patio, featuring a Full Service Kitchen, will offer a relaxing and nourishing environment for post-training relaxation and socialization.

Furthermore, Clemson’s focus on sustainable and modern design is evident throughout the renovation plans. Elements like electrochromatic glass, circadian lighting, and UV sterilization highlight the university’s commitment to creating an environmentally conscious and health-promoting space. The innovative repurposing of reclaimed white oak trees from Lot 5 for furniture and wall treatments adds a touch of authenticity and sustainability to the design. After over a year of construction and renovations, the Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center stands as a testament to Clemson University Athletics’ dedication to nurturing both athletic prowess and overall well-being among its student-athletes.

Members of the Watt Family have been long-standing supporters of a wide variety of Clemson University initiatives, both through service and philanthropy. Their dedicated support of their alma mater continues to have a lasting impact on both Clemson students and student-athletes alike.

The Tiger Pride of the Watt Family runs deep. Steven (’81) and his wife Pam (’83) both graduated from Clemson, along with their two children Brandon (’08, ’10) and Brittany (’13). Michael (’84) and his wife Kimberly (’85) also earned Clemson degrees, as well as their three kids Wesley (’13), Austin (’16), and Mary-Katherine (’21). The family’s patriarch, Dr. Charles Watt (’59) is a Clemson graduate and former founding executive director of the Watt Family Innovation Center and former Dean of the College of Business. His wife, Linda, earned honorary alumni status in 2021. Over the years, members of the Watt Family have served Clemson University across many boards, committees, and councils, while also receiving several distinguished awards and honors. The Watt Family continues to pass down their love, support, and service to Clemson to the new generations of Watt grandchildren who are waiting their turn to step on campus.

IPTAY and Clemson Athletics thank the Watt Family for their enduring support of Clemson University, and all that they have done and continue to do to make Clemson a special place. Their loyal generosity to the University, most recently shown through the Watt Family Performance & Wellness Center, will have a transformational impact on Tiger student-athletes and further propel Clemson into a future of sustained championship excellence.