Pacific University Athletics Receives Major Donation from Cory ’93 and Deborah Clemetson
The landscape of college athletics in the USA relies heavily on the generosity of alumni who understand the transformative power of sports. Recent news from University of the Pacific highlights this dynamic perfectly: Cory Clemetson, a 1993 graduate, and his wife Deborah have made a significant donation to Pacific Athletics that will directly enhance facilities for current and future student-athletes. This contribution underscores the enduring connection between universities and their graduates, while demonstrating how strategic philanthropy shapes the future of collegiate sports programs.
How a Walk-On Basketball Player Built a Career in Sports Business
Cory Clemetson arrived at University of the Pacific from Silicon Valley as a walk-on for the Division I basketball team. Recruited by legendary head coach Bob Thomason, Clemetson earned a spot on the Tigers’ travel squad and developed skills that extended far beyond the basketball court. The discipline, resilience, and competitive drive he cultivated during his playing years became the foundation for an impressive career in the sports industry.
After graduating, Clemetson transitioned into sports representation, ultimately becoming one of the most prominent soccer agents in the United States. His client roster included household names such as Cobi Jones, Brian McBride, Earnie Stewart, and Paul Caligiuri—players who helped shape American soccer following the 1994 World Cup. This success in athlete representation opened doors to broader business ventures.
Today, Clemetson serves as co-owner and managing partner of Wolf Creek Golf Club in Mesquite, Nevada—a facility recognized as one of the premier public golf courses in the country and featured in PGA Tour video games. He also holds the position of president at Primm South Real Estate Company and maintains a partnership role at NevDex Properties, a commercial real estate firm in Reno. These accomplishments reflect the versatility that collegiate athletics can foster when student-athletes leverage their experiences into professional success.
Submit your application today if you are interested in becoming part of a university community that produces graduates like Cory Clemetson—individuals who translate their collegiate experiences into meaningful careers and lasting contributions to their fields.
The Strategic Impact of Philanthropy on College Athletics
Understanding why alumni choose to give back requires examining the relationship between student-athlete experiences and long-term institutional loyalty. For the Clemetsons, the decision to donate stemmed from genuine gratitude for the role Pacific played in shaping Cory’s character and career trajectory. As Deborah Clemetson noted, every return visit to campus reinforces the warmth and welcome of the Pacific community—a feeling that has persisted regardless of how much time has passed since graduation.
Philanthropic support for athletics programs serves multiple strategic purposes. First, it directly improves the student-athlete experience by upgrading facilities, expanding resources, and demonstrating institutional commitment to athletic excellence. Second, enhanced facilities become recruiting tools that help programs attract higher-caliber talent. Third, visible improvements signal to prospective students and families that a university values its athletic programs and invests in the holistic development of its student-athletes.
Scott Biedermann, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Pacific, emphasized this point when discussing the Clemetsons’ contribution: “When our students get to play and grow in high-quality spaces their community has supported, they know that their experience matters to us.” This validation matters profoundly in an era where student-athletes have increasing options and visibility regarding where they invest their collegiate years.
Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center: A New Standard for Pacific Athletics
The centerpiece of the Clemetsons’ donation supports the Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center, a facility currently under construction on Pacific’s Stockton Campus with an expected opening in late 2026. This center represents a significant investment in the health, safety, and development of the university’s approximately 21 Division I sports programs.
What the Facility Will Include
The new center will house state-of-the-art treatment, training, and rehabilitation facilities designed to serve all of Pacific’s Division I student-athletes. Modern sports medicine has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, with advances in injury prevention, recovery protocols, and performance optimization becoming standard expectations at competitive programs. The Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center positions Pacific to meet these contemporary standards.
Beyond medical and training facilities, the center will include dedicated team lounges and locker rooms for the basketball and volleyball programs. The Cory and Deborah Clemetson Men’s Basketball Locker Room will bear the couple’s name, creating a permanent recognition of their contribution while providing future generations of Tigers with a premium facility experience.
Clemetson articulated the practical importance of these investments: “They need the best locker rooms, film rooms, and importantly, the trainers need the ability to keep them as healthy and fit as possible.” This statement reflects an understanding that athletic facilities are not merely cosmetic upgrades—they directly impact performance outcomes and student-athlete welfare.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how Pacific University is investing in student-athlete development and what these improvements mean for prospective students considering Division I athletics programs.
Upgrading Soccer Facilities at Knoles Field
The second major component of the Clemetsons’ gift addresses the soccer programs specifically. A new video scoreboard will be installed at Knoles Field, serving both the men’s and women’s soccer teams. While a scoreboard might seem like a modest addition compared to a full sports medicine center, its significance extends beyond basic functionality.
For Clemetson, this investment carries personal meaning. Soccer launched his professional career, and representing elite American players after the 1994 World Cup gave him a front-row seat to the sport’s growth in the United States. By supporting Pacific’s soccer facilities, he honors the pathway that shaped his early professional life.
“Soccer is so meaningful to us—it’s where I started and how I made my mark,” Clemetson explained. “Pacific’s soccer teams have good facilities, but they need a state-of-the-art scoreboard that is reflective of a top Division I program.” The new videoboard will also bear the Clemetsons’ name, ensuring their connection to the soccer program remains visible to future players, fans, and recruits.
The Ripple Effect of Alumni Giving in USA College Athletics
Individual donations like the Clemetsons’ gift create momentum that extends beyond the immediate facility improvements. Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor described the contribution as “a game changer for the Tigers” and expressed hope that it would serve as “a clarion call to others, showing what such generosity can accomplish for years to come.”
This ripple effect operates through several mechanisms. Visible improvements attract attention from other potential donors who may have been waiting to see whether a project would gain traction. Successful fundraising for one initiative builds confidence that future campaigns can achieve similar results. Additionally, when alumni see peers making meaningful contributions, it often prompts reflection on their own capacity and willingness to give back.
Clemetson’s ongoing involvement with Pacific Athletics—he previously served as chair of the Athletics Leadership Council—demonstrates that meaningful engagement takes many forms beyond financial contributions. His advisory work helped shape strategies for improving the student-athlete experience, while his coaching of hundreds of young basketball players through the Kids for Sports Foundation in Southern Nevada extends his impact beyond the university setting.
Building a Culture of Giving
Universities that successfully cultivate alumni giving recognize that philanthropy is a long-term relationship, not a transactional exchange. The Clemetsons’ journey from student-athletes to donors spans more than three decades and includes multiple touchpoints: attending events, serving in advisory roles, maintaining personal connections with university leadership, and ultimately making a substantial financial commitment.
This pattern suggests that institutions seeking to increase athletics donations should invest in relationship-building throughout the alumni lifecycle, not merely during formal fundraising campaigns. The sense of belonging that Deborah Clemetson described—the warmth of the Pacific community that welcomes returning alumni regardless of how long they have been away—represents the type of institutional culture that sustains giving over time.
Have questions? Write to us! Whether you are an alumnus considering a contribution or a prospective student interested in Pacific’s athletics programs, the university welcomes inquiries about how to get involved.
What This News Means for the Future of Pacific Athletics
The Clemetsons’ donation arrives at a pivotal moment for Pacific Athletics. As competition for student-athletes intensifies across Division I sports, facilities play an increasingly decisive role in recruiting outcomes. The Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center and the upgraded Knoles Field scoreboard position Pacific to compete more effectively for talent while demonstrating institutional commitment to athletic excellence.
For current student-athletes, these improvements validate their choice of institution and enhance their daily experience. For recruits, they provide tangible evidence that Pacific invests in its programs and values the student-athlete experience. For the broader Pacific community, they represent progress and momentum that can generate pride and engagement.
Cory Clemetson summarized the perspective that motivates his giving: “Coming to Pacific was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The university had a profound impact on me. I learned invaluable life lessons on and off the court that helped me grow as a person and shaped my business career.” When alumni can articulate this level of impact, their decision to give back becomes a natural extension of their relationship with the institution.
The lessons from Division I competition that Clemetson credits with shaping his approach to life and business—learning to compete at higher levels than previously imagined, finding strength to handle challenges beyond perceived capabilities, and developing resilience through difficult periods—represent exactly the type of outcomes that athletics programs aim to deliver. His donation ensures that future Pacific student-athletes will have access to facilities that support similar growth.
Explore our related articles for further reading on Pacific University athletics, alumni achievements, and the ongoing development of sports facilities across the Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco campuses.
