Clemson football fan with cerebral palsy meets Dabo Swinney

Oct 21, 2023

CHARLOTTE – When Noah Fike first began playing wheelchair basketball, it was a challenge to get the ball to the goal.

“But with the football, it was easier for him to put that into the basket ,” said Noah’s mom, Jenny.

Not surprisingly, football is now among the many loves for 12-year-old Noah, who has cerebral palsy.

“He’s had lots of opportunities,” Jenny said of her sports-minded son. “He’s growing up in a cool world where there’s some good stuff going on.”

That good stuff continued on Thursday when Noah met Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney and quarterback Cade Klubnik during the ACC Kickoff media days at the Westin Charlotte.

They both shared time and conversation with Noah and autographed his football. Clemson, which is Jenny’s alma mater, is Noah’s favorite team, but followed closely by Ohio State and Iowa, he says.

Noah was in attendance at media days courtesy of Dream On 3, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization whose mission is enriching the lives of children and young adults with life-altering conditions by making their sports dreams come true.

Noah, of Fort Mill, is a frequent visitor to the Upstate, making regular trips to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville.

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He’s also participated in wheelchair basketball camps at both NC State and Clemson and has met each of the last three Clemson quarterbacks, which helps explain why when he’s not wearing Clemson gear he’s sporting his Trevor Lawrence Jaguars’ jersey.

“When Trevor Lawrence was a freshman, he was the first person who spoke to Noah during spring practice with the team,” Jenny said. “He got off the golf cart and came over and spoke to Noah, so that was really special.”

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer