Meet Liam

Meet Liam – a funny, bright, and energetic 7-year-old who loves Clemson sports, especially Clemson football! Liam is as sweet as can be and makes friends everywhere he goes. He’ll talk to you about anything and everything as he loves to learn all that he can.

Living with autism, Liam faces many social, physical, and emotional challenges. While he loves to talk to people, it can be difficult for him to relate to his neurotypical peers. In addition to his autism diagnosis, Liam has been diagnosed with ADHD, which sometimes amplifies the challenges he experiences.

However, despite any challenges he faces, Liam remains the bright and bubbly kid that he is. He works through school and his weekly therapies with the unwavering love and support of his family and friends. Most recently, Liam performed in his school talent show where he performed a song about dinosaurs that he wrote himself!

Living in Clemson, Liam bleeds orange and purple and loves nothing more than his Clemson Tigers. Liam’s sports dream is to cheer on the Clemson Tigers football team with the only and only Clemson Tiger!

Liam's Dream

Dream kid Liam went ALL IN at Clemson thanks to the Clemson Collegiate Dream Team!

Liam’s Dream kicked off on Wednesday as the Clemson CDT, Clemson Tiger, and a Clemson cheerleader all surprised Liam at home! Liam was shocked to his favorite mascot standing in his front yard. The crew then headed off to the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex, where Liam received a special behind the scenes tour of the facilites that ended with time at practice! Liam met a number of Clemson football players, including QB1 Cade Klubnik, who went out of his way to make Liam feel welcome. After, Liam was able to watch the marching band practice and enjoy a shopping spree at the team store.

On Friday, the family enjoyed time at Denver Downs Farm looking for pumpkins and taking in all of the fun seasonal activities that the farm had to offer, including a delicious dinner on site.

Game day started with a bright and early surprise from the Dabolance, the famous Clemson themed retrofitted ambulance that is a Clemson fan favorite! The family enjoyed a tailgate breakfast  with the Dabolance followed by one of the best surprises of all…Liam was able to make the famous team entrance into Memorial Stadium! After an official welcome over the loudspeakers, Liam ran down The Hill from Howard’s Rock with the Clemson Tiger into the stadium and into the arms of cheering students! Liam was smiling from ear to ear.

Saturday was capped off with VIP seats to watch Clemson beat Virginia 48-31. After a ride back to their hotel in the Dabolance, the family settled in for the night before saying their tearful goodbyes at breakfast the following morning.

Thank you to the Clemson Collegiate Dream Team for going above and beyond for Liam and his family!

Dream Snapshots

Volvo
Thank you to our Collegiate Dream Team National Sponsor, Volvo CE