By Griffin Barfield
Eight undergraduate students, each of a unique discipline, who integrate sport in their academic and professional activities, were recently selected to receive scholarships from the Clemson University Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSI) for the academic year 2025-2026.
With the memory of the deceased son of Robert H. Brooks, Mark Brooks ’91, this fund offers scholarships to the first cycle students in Clemson is studying in a field linked to sport. Students of the departments represented by teachers who engage with the Institute are chosen according to selective criteria, including their achievements and their professional aspirations with regard to the sports sciences.
The following students received endowment scholarships from Markvan Bellamy Brooks for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Grayson Gentz: Department of Automotive Engineering
Gentz is a major in junior car engineering and team captain of the Clemson University Baja Racing Club, in competition in off -road races. In the hope of working in the automotive industry in the near future, Gentz says that this scholarship will help its dreams of being an automotive engineer “which has become reality”.
“As an automotive engineer, I plan to develop new innovative performance parts for the defense and motorsport industries,” he said. “The reception of the Endowment Stock Exchange of Markvan Bellamy Brooks has helped me to continue my dream since I was 16 years old to obtain a diploma from the Clemson automotive engineering department and to be part of the next generation of innovation.”
Ashley Abbott: Department of Bio-Engineering
Abbott is a major major in bio-engineering focused on sports engineering. Currently, she works with the bio-engineering and stock market professor of the Faculty Rhbsi, Reed Grochiek, in her laboratory of biomechanics of the human movement, studying concepts on the pain of the approach by using delayed start-up muscle pain.
“Thanks to courses and research in biomechanics, I saw how engineering can improve the performance and rehabilitation of athletes in many ways,” said Abbott. “This scholarship supports my passion and inspires me to continue to push the limits of the sports sciences.”
In the future, she hopes to work with professional athletes and teams with performance and muscle recovery.
Maria Pocorobba: Department of Communication
Pocorobba is a major major in communication, focusing on strategic communication. In the past year, she has been an intern of creative solutions for Clemson Athletics. Previously, she worked with the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, Clemson University Student Government and Cadence, the creation agency led by university students at the Erwin Center for Brand Communications. This scholarship will allow him to continue to combine his passions for sport and creative design.
“I am determined to continue on this path and to seek more opportunities that will advance my skills in the creation of sporting content, during my stay in Clemson and beyond,” said Pocorobba. “I am passionate and eager to bring my creativity to the sports industry, and I can’t wait to
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Pocorobba will continue to stand with the Clemson sports department during the 2025-2026 school year as an intern in graphic design and also assuming a new role as an intern in marketing and fan experiences. After obtaining the diploma, she hopes to continue to use these creative skills within the sports industry.
Ariana Pensy: Department of Development of Educational and Organizational Leadership
Pensy is a senior adult double in psychology and sports communication with a double minor in sports leadership and legal studies. She has various roles as a contributor to Tigernet and sports editor for various Chicago sports publications as well as volunteer and consultant for her local high school football team. Pensy also studied the legality of sports contracts as well as the positive effects of sport in our society as contributing to physical and mental health, social development and a feeling of community.
“What a privilege is to receive the endowment scholarship from Markvan Bellamy Brooks! I am really humiliated to be presented,” said Pensy. “Its history and its foundation allow me and so many others the opportunity to be a precious asset for society in the field of sport science is an honor that I will work tirelessly to defend and will never forget, and for which I have a deep gratitude.”
In the future, Pensy intends to work in NFL as an analyst.
Hailey Wiethoff: Department of Food Sciences, Nutrition and Packaging
Wiethoff is a senior major in food, nutrition and packaging sciences that heard of the stock market of his work on a Clemson creative project of “Best is the Standard”. The team designed the structure and graphics so that the materials were used in a Clemson football recruitment photo session.
“I was able to cross the design process from start to finish for photo session accessories and acquire a lot of experience with work which consists in creating marketing media for the sports industry,” she said.
Wiethoff hopes to continue working in structural and graphic design, perhaps for a professional sports team.
Amy Lokhorst: Department of Graphic Communications
Lokhorst is a major in senior graphic communication and a minor of sports communication. She is currently Clemson Pickleball Marketing Director, managing all of her digital media communications.
With the Stock Exchange, she will continue her work on the ground as a student, continuing to work with her two passions: sport and design.
“I applied for this scholarship because sports have had an impact on my life in many ways, including inside and outside the lessons,” said Lokhorst.
In the future, she hopes to work as a team’s digital media manager or for an agency associated with sports.
Emma Shurley: Department of Parks, Leisure and Tourism Management (PRTM)
Shurley is a major Junior PRTM focusing in sport management. During her stay in Clemson, she worked as a member of the promotional experience and the game of the Game Day for Greenville Drive while being an intern for the sale of tickets and operations. She sits at the Student Advisory Council for PRTM.
“I am grateful and honored to be appointed Brooks scholarship holder and I would not be where I am today without the Robert H. Brooks Sport Science Institute,” said Shurley. “I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us and the opportunities that it will present.”
Shurley will spend May in Indianapolis, Indiana, working for Indianapolis Motor Speedway as an invited experience program. She hopes to continue a job in motorsport after obtaining the diploma.
Matthew Hirsh: Marketing Department
Hirsh is a major junior marketing working as an intern as corporate services and customer services for Clemson Athletics. According to these experiences, he learned to give life to a marketing campaign and to improve the experience of fans. Hirsh is also part of the commercial innovation program at Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business.
“This scholarship means so much for me that I continue to continue my passion for sports marketing,” he said. “I am delighted with the opportunities to come and motivated to make the most of this experience when I prepare my future in the industry.”
Hirsh will study abroad in Spain this summer, working with Real Madrid CF to acquire more knowledge of the sport industry. He hopes to work in the field with a professional sports team.
To learn more about how Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute supports Clemson students, Click here or visit Clemson.edu/brooks-sports.
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