S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is fighting with state lawmakers in an effort to preserve her right to use the state’s official airplane for press conferences and bill signing ceremonies – but it’s her alma mater’s habitual use of the plane for football recruiting which probably deserves more scrutiny.
According to flight logs and passenger manifest records obtained by FITS, Clemson University football coaches – including head coach Dabo Swinney, offensive coordinator Chad Morris and defensive coordinator Brent Venables – have made numerous trips on the state plane since Haley took office. Even former Clemson head coach Danny Ford has joined them on a flight.
Among the frequent fliers? Tigers’ recruiting coordinator and wide receivers’ coach Jeff Scott – whose Twitter page we stumbled upon this week. Scrolling back through Scott’s Twitter pictures, an image he posted in October 2011 caught our eye.
“Heading to Jacksonville (on the Governor’s plane) trying to find some more ballpayers,” Scott tweeted.
Take a look …
(Click to enlarge)
Sure enough, when we checked flight information for October 27, 2011, we found a passenger manifest with Scott’s name on it.
Take a look …
(Click to enlarge)
Tiger coaches are still using the state plane – and still tweeting about it.
In fact Scott joined Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables and several other coaches on a recent recruiting trip to San Antonio, Texas – a flight referenced only as “Official Clemson University Business” in the records of the S.C. Aeronautics Commission.
Here’s the Twitter pic Scott posted from inside the plane …
(Click to enlarge)
And here’s the manifest for that flight …
(Click to enlarge)
Just last week (on February 1), Swinney, Morris and Venables took the state plane to Lawrenceville, Georgia on a recruiting trip – a flight which involved multiple legs to accomodate the various passengers. Why was this flight taken? It’s not clear – particularly when you consider Lawrenceville is a one-hour, forty-minute drive from Clemson, S.C.
Actually faster than that if Swinney is driving …
Obviously Clemson isn’t the only football program in the state to use public aircraft for recruiting purposes. The University of South Carolina has two planes – one of which is used exclusively by its athletics department.
However it is curious that Clemson’s habitual use of the state plane for football recruiting didn’t start until 2011 – when Haley took office.
Haley graduated from Clemson with an accounting degree in 1994. A rabid Tigers’ fan, she regularly attends home games and travels to see Clemson play on the road and in bowl games. In fact Clemson honored Haley during the 2012 Orange Bowl by using her likeness on play-calling placards.
“She loves helping them,” one journalist familiar with the flights said.
As we’ve said on numerous occasions, we believe South Carolina’s institutions of higher learning – especially Clemson (which operates via an extra-legal governing board) – should be set free to pursue their destiny as private institutions. That way we won’t have controversies like this involving the use of taxpayer-funded assets for non-core functions of government.
You know, functions like this … or this.
In addition to banning use of the state plane for press conferences and ceremonial bill signings, we believe South Carolina’s institutions of higher learning should be prohibited from using the state plane to recruit football players.
***
Cover pic: Travis Bell Photography, Travis Bell Photography
104 comments
I don’t have a problem with it if Clemson is paying for the use of the plane. A plane isn’t much good if it sits on the ground all week.
And not paying for it at the price of an airline ticket which many people try to use when using a private plane. The state needs to be reimbursed by Clemson Athletic Department. And I am a Tiger Fan. Nikki Haley – this is illegal.
This story is incomplete and largely untrue. It’s misleading to say the least… USC fan is fishing here. I remember a similar story about USC using former Gov. Hodges and trips to the Governor’s mansion to steer recruits(I.e. Noah Whiteside,etc.) to Columbia. Underhanded and unethical maybe… Illegal? Laughable.
This story is incomplete and largely untrue. It’s misleading to say the least… USC fan is fishing here. I remember a similar story about USC using former Gov. Hodges and trips to the Governor’s mansion to steer recruits(I.e. Noah Whiteside,etc.) to Columbia. Underhanded and unethical maybe… Illegal? Laughable.
Wonder if they are paying her under the table?
Illegal?
Get your panties out of your ass.
Do you morons really give a rip whether the money comes out of the left pocket or the right pocket??
This article is ridiculous. It have read multiple articles in “the State” that it is a known fact that Clemson started using the state plane instead of maintaining it’s own aircraft. They pay the state for each use based on the price set by the state of SC. I think it is sad that fits news chooses to leave that bit of information out and acts like the plane was given to them free of charge. I normally agree with Fits on many articles but this is an example of one that gives the website a bad name.
Nice skirt. Looks like someone barfed up their lunch onto her lap.
She needs a longer skirt. Her wheels are not her best feature; heck, she may not HAVE a best feature.
Good Lord she has some of the ugliest GAMS! The free taxpayer food has caused some premature spreading around the middle and elsewhere.
She goes from acceptable to hideous, must have pics airbrushed and photo shopped.
look at how much money is brought into this state from our 2 major university’s. a very good investment.
I would believe that the aircraft belongs to the state of South Carolina, not the governor.
If it’s sitting in a hangar in Cola, who gives a shit if they use it, USC or whoever as long as its official state business.
Will, your really starting to go overboard with the Haley conspiracy/Clemson BS. Why dont you post all of the logs for the plane. Lets see who else uses it.
Once it is out there that you can file an FOIA to confirm their recruiting stops, they will stop. Jeff Scott is an idiot.
Good frontal shot of Nik. Confirms that at age 38, she’s an A-cup.
When I was a high-schooler most girls I dated were bigger than that.
Look more like saggy b’s……
Ohno – Jethro, you can track the plane’s every movement instanteously on the internet. This stuff ain’t rocket science.
Also, recruiting trips are not illegal. Where have you been?
If Clemson is allowed to use the plane, then all state institutions should be allowed to use it for recruiting purposes.
Recruiting is not official state business.
If The CU Athletic Department is paying the going rate, no big deal. If, however, the taxpayers are footing the bill for this, it’s a rather large problem.
So, Folks, they paying the tab or not?
Way to “break” a story The Nerve covered last year.
http://thenerve.org/news/2012/10/18/State-planes/
Fwiw, your version is more fun to read.
Well Rider…….
You make an interesting addition here. Really you do. We wonder just how many will scroll down to read the comments in the NERVE article..!?
The four “confidential” flight passengers would be tied to BOEING how…!?
How confidential is 900 Million in taxes..??
Better yet….we wonder if the NERVE or Fits will get an “overlay” of phone calls and texts on these dates to see WHO our state passengers were talking too..!?
“FWIW” ….rider…..who has better comments? Fits or Nerve or BRIAN HICKS…??
You think Dabo is punching Nikki’s ticket, too? Now there’s a lovely image- Dabo and the Gypsy in the buff, grooving to the familiar beat of “Muff that Tiger”.
She appears to have never seen the inside of a gym. Like most women in South Carolina.
Just saying the eye candy show at Golds (Irmo)on Wednesdays is worth the monthly fee….you can feast on plenty of after-markets :)
In all seriousness, college football is the only thing the government does right. It is awesome. The entire thing, from going yourself to watching on TV. I can’t wait for September, I’m already getting fired up for 10:00 P.M. kickoff Pac-10 games. Nevermind how good its going to be to be drinking a beer at 8:00 A.M. Saturday mornings in God’s country.
Out of all the real nonsense the government does, I say let the State’s two major football programs have all the state plane usage and anything else that could help the programs.
If they are paying full price to use it, and USC is using it too, then fine as long as it is the same amount that each school is using it. Remember that former coach Bowden whined that it wasn’t fair that the State championship games were only played in WB. He said it should be equal for both school to host the games (even though WB is closer to the center of the state and Clemson is way the F up in the top northwest corner, so you don’t have to have a school in the low country drive all the way to Clemson to appease the crybabies, Beaufort is 267 miles from Clemson while its only 98 miles from Clemson to Lawrenceville, Georgia like fits reported Clemson flew to FYI). So hey if it’s all the same amount of use, and payment, then it’s fine. If not USC has a plane, tell Clemson to get one if they want to fly. And if it’s not equal tell the NCAA to look into it and the Haley connection then both could be gone in one swoop LOL but either way that lying woman won’t be back next term anyway.
I hope you did not pay for English classes at Carolina…
ramble on idiot!
both of you little faggots can go fuck yourself. hahaha
Personally, as long as the trip is paid for I could careless which school is using the plane. As far as Governor Haley is concerned, she is a very attractive Mom, and a good Governor. She has a good head head for is a necessity and what is a luxury. Wish we had more like her!! She will again get my vote in 2014, if she isn’t looking to a higher office!
Steve, I hope to god you are being sarcastic.
Nope not being sarcastic at all, I like Nikki, will vote for her again, and hope she is re-elected if she decides for a 2nd term!
Shut up, Rob.
YOU ARE A MORON STEVE
Steve its because of voters like you that one should have to pass a test measuring degree of brain function before they are allowed to vote. Bring back a modern day version of Jim Crow era voting test
This story has already been done. Clemson sold one of their planes and uses and pays for the use of the states plane. It actually costs less than fuel and upkeep for the University jet.
I had a “Nikki Haley” dream last night. Gawd, she’s a manipulative little slut.
Oops. Didn’t mean to be anonymous.
A lot of the comments here are “plants.” Very, very obvious.
Thomas…..
According to STAR WARS, the “force” flows through all living things and the mitochondria in “Plants” amplify the force in certain ways.
In fact, our “plants” here at FITSNEWS are actually very useful at gatherings all around our state..!! (Like KUDZU..) The “plants” here at FITSNEWS understand that this site offers unique “water” that can be used like water cannons against our government officials…
Thomas, this website was the first non-paper site to be used to print out bathroom fodder at the Summit Club until Catherine Cieps was defeated by Tom Davis and then this site was elevated to more modest accommodations at the administrative desks in the bowels of the statehouse.
Thomas…you can water the “plants” at your convenience …anytime..!
Young Folks whining like a little girl …. again.
I can’t figure out whether he’s more fixed on his unrequitted love for Haley, or Clemson’s rejection of his application.
ha! +2 for moniker and comment … although I’d have sooner applied to Savannah State than Moo U. And as for the value of Nikki’s accounting degree, I’d refer you to the 2010 campaign …
Rub my cock not your friends rock
What’s with DHEC buying ad time on Clemsun football broadcasts?
I listened to the LSU game and there was a DHEC ad every 15 minutes are so. Ads didn’t say anything of value. Just this ad paid for by DHEC.
Any state agency can use the planes for a fee. You could agrue that having two passengers is not very efficient but otherwise there is nothing to see here.
http://www.scaeronautics.com/benefit.asp
Clemson PAYS to use the plane. You think people would look stuff up before MAKING stuff up. Get a life fitsNOT news.
http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/19/2486549/clemson-biggest-user-of-state.html#.URP8lqXXloE
took 2 seconds to find.
Nice find, Fits breaking the news 5 months late
I read your article in the State newspaper. Clem’s Sons University used the airplane more than anyone including Haley and the lawmakers. 30 trips in one year???? And no, Carolina, nor MUSC, nor Coastal Carolina used it during that time! And we are paying for Clem’s Sons to use it with taxpayer money!
MUSC uses it. SCar uses it. CofC uses it. They pay for it. So what is…oh, wait, yeah…it’s Clemson & you’re butthurt. Say no more. Gotcha!
Read the article.
“Clemson is the only public college that has used the state-owned planes in the past year, according to state flight logs.”
@PalmettoCPA – umm…yeah. I’m one of those people who doesn’t believe everything he reads. So I read the flight logs. Coastal Carolina & MUSC used it in the last few MONTHS. Dickhead.
Check your facts butthurt! Carolina does not use Haley’s plane!!!
She should spend an extra buck and buy her son a Clemson jersey from somewhere other than WalMart (maybe, Amazon?). I guess you can take the trash out of Lexington County, but can’t take the Lexington County of the trash.
Why does it matter where she bought her sons jersey? Saving a buck is not a crime!
I think that is suppose to be a “throw back jersey” to the days of Banks McFadden or could be one his grandad knitted him at the sweat shop
I think there is a proviso that excludes athletic departments from having flight manifest made public. in other words there are many many flights not recorded.
That is the real problem.
Isn’t some absurd retort from CNSYD due any second now? Assuming he can take a break from talking about little boys long enough to formulate some joke of a response, that is.
Sic Willie said the joke was in your pants.
The only “little boys” are those on here that hide behind ever changing fake screen names.
so you have listed your full real name on here? If not, are you hiding behind your computer?
um,
I realize it is way above your level of understanding, but the avatar is unique to e-mail address thanks to Ms. Mace. So all you chickens can’t pretend you are me as you used to do. Is CNSYD my real name? Define real name. It is my real screen name.
Now is that so hard to understand?
I notice that once again you always only focus on half of what was aksed you and then attempt to sound high and mighty. Its simple, screw your avatar as no one asked about it, or screen name as we can see that, if you dont put you full real name then you are hiding. Is that too hard for you to understand tater? Run along little man
yea i got it cnSTD
Brian Robert Phillips of Camden,
The mystery man. There are no public records for you in Kershaw County. Perhaps you don’t exist. Did you find that name on a tombstone when you tried to establish a new ID? IRT your remarks. As I have done in the past, I will supply my name. Tom Williams. Apparently you are a newbie to FITSNEWS or you would already know that. Run along little boy, I hear your Mom calling you.
you might want to look again. Just because you cant find it doesnt mean I am not there. FYI thats not my mom, that yours calling me back to the bedroom. thanks boy!
Is it true the she majored in Animal Husbandry at Clemson until they caught her at it?
Beautiful!
Orange IS her color. Good thing, at the rate she’s going.
Dear informational war fare CADETS……
Another great example of Psy-ops and mis-information tactics..!! How would educated students at CLEMSON and USC and SC State use this article and the FITSNEWS website..?? How would John Stewart use this to tickle Scott and Haley and Hugh Leatherman..??!
Does Wil Folks remind anyone in this article of how much FOREIGN Jet FUEL it takes to operate this plane..!? Does Wil ask Scott or Haley or Leatherman if any CLEMSON Algea Bio-Jet FUEL is being produced to operate in this jet instead of FOREIGN..!?
How is CLEMSON or USC or SC STATE or the CITADEL doing everything it can to support the WAR on TERROR (Drugs)…!?!
How are we supporting our LOCAL energy production instead of importing foreign FUEL..!?!
How should students react during a game that Haley attends…!?
What questions should new recruits ask when being swooned..!?!
What is Jeff doing correctly with his tweets and pics..!!
That is one hideous dress. No wonder Exotica doesn’t sell shit.
Exotica sign read retiring, everything must go. The Exotica store is now restocked and being run by some Indian woman, not Raj. Don’t know how much they’re selling, ,as there is a super nice consignment store right next to them with the most gorgeous formals. As far as the Exotica store,was told that you see a dress and they order it. You hope it fits. If not, tough.
The question is what is the policy for using the state plane? If people can, then did Clemson compensate enough funds for the planes use. I certainly hope not one penny of taxpayers money was involved on these trips. It’s not a question of how much money or publicity Clemson brings into this state. These are things you hide behind once caught. Another interesting question is what other institutions are using this plane and how are they paying for the use of this plane? The governor wants transparency in government. She needs to start with herself. The taxpayer deserves better than this.
Idiots especially Fits
And yet here you are, FYI “idiot”
According to OrangeandWhite.com a Clemson website, “Clemson student-athletes posted a 2.99 GPA for the spring semester of 2012, the highest on record, according to data released by Clemson University’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning.”
According to WLTX “USC announced Monday that the school set the highest departmental grade point average (GPA) on record (3.267), based on numbers from the Fall 2012 semester. That broke the previous record of 3.202 set in Fall of 2011. USC athletics officials say Gamecock student-athletes have posted a combined GPA of 3.0 or better for 12 consecutive semesters.”
So as far as Clemson being smarter, it has its highest GPA ever of 2.99, never actually breaking the 3.0 mark and yet USC has 12 in a row over 3.0. Hmmm. That’s 6 years for those of you at Clemson playing sports.
Well Im sure that the football team is smarter right, nope.
“Clemson’s football program had a 2.61 team GPA, just below the all-time record of 2.63 set in the spring of 2008”
According to the same article/story on WLTX as earlier, “USC Football GPA was 2.918”
Go Gamecocks!!! Clem’s sons students are so dumb! Just look at Haley and how she has cheated her way to be govern not! LMAO!
That might make sense if they were taking the same classes with same professors and same standards.
How about looking at a standardized test?
This data is a little old (2008) but it shows a point.
Clemson SAT: 1158(student) 1022(student-athlete) 950(football-athlete)
USC SAT: 1101(student) 996 (student-athlete) 932(football-athlete)
But weren’t those test were taken at the high school level not college? It would be a high school problem then. Surely you can admit there is a difference in students at AC Flora vs Eau Claire. Wouldn’t that be a knock on how their different high schools got them prepared for the “standard” tests? An argument could show that Clemson teaches as they coach. They get the “better” students or players each year but fail to coach/teach them to perform at the college level.
I guess Dabo couldn’t get his ego through the door of the Clempson Cropduster
My father was the one of the pilots of this plane/agency for over 30 years. Any state agency including state supported schools have access to the aircraft at their expense. Nothing like someone trying to CREATE news! Lost a reader FITSnews. I can no longer trust your posts are true and well researched.
All his of articles about Nikki Haley have been BS if you follow them longer than a day or two. Will has some sort of fascination with this woman that can’t be explained. Perhaps its because she laughed at his tuiny dink or he was impotent that night and she never called him back. Use this site as local comedy relief and not as a news source.
Isnt Clemson a state funded school? Does USC not use private planes for recruiting trips? If Clemson coaches paid for airline tickets with funds from the athletic department wouldnt that be state funds as well? This is a stupid deadline written for stupid people.
Those fellas up in the foothills may want to reconsider flying A La Gypsy Queen Airlines.
Sources over at the 6 to 10 Git & Go tell me that all the pilots of the Gypsy Queen’s aircraft are recruited and hired by the same individuals over at SCRSIC who hired Robert Feinstein. You know the lawyer who can’t practice lying cause he can’t pass the test.
Last pilot they hired was the first cousin of the Mansion Chef who got the job while waiting on an opening to the Tijuana Branch of the Pastry College of Les Coulisses du Chef Olivier Berte.
Over at SCRSIC he was put on the Xbox Flight Simulator and had the highest score. Over 69% of his aircraft made it back home safely.
Sidebar: Did anyone else double click on the picture. Many years ago I had to take ink blot tests. The image on the Gypsy Queen’s skirt is the same one that kept me from getting security clearances on more than one occasion.
My assessment years ago was the image represented truth being squeezed out of a politician’s asshole. As far as I am concerned my parking ticket has finally been validated.
Good luck getting the compensation from Clemson. If they had the money to charter a plane, I feel sure they would charter from an aviation agency. Not pay a reduced rate with the taxpayer picking up the difference. I find it hard to believe that The States plane is chartered at the same rate as a privately owned aviation business. Looks like Clemson was looking for the cheap way out at partly the taxpayers expense, I am sure Clemson could at least afford a crop duster.
State planes can be used on a rental basis. If they are paying the rent, there is no story. If they are getting the use of the aircraft at no cost to the athletic department, which is a private corporation, then you might have something.
Did you even check?
The question yo be answered is the two “ifs” in your response my answer to this is accountability. Lets see the rental fee charged and the canceled check that paid for it. That’s what I am asking. No reduced rental rate that the taxpayer makes up the difference. If they are allowed to use this plane without compensation because they are a state supported school for recruiting, then it’s time as tax payers to put an end to this non-sense.
Sexy !! I’d eat her alive !!
My dad flew with Karen’s dad (look above this) and flew it in the pictures above. If this doo-dah agrees with this FAKE article, I dare SHITNews to call Mr. Hugg on his cell phone that is in the manifest above, he’ll tell you the truth and then tell you to go ef yourself
sure he will
Another blatant error in this ridiculous article is Clemson honoring Gov. Haley at the Orange Bowl with her face on the play calling placards. The Governor’s face was on the placards all last year along with Michelle Obama’s.
We we should get Ashle Landes and Will to calculate what Clempsun owes. If I remember from the Harrel one day story….they had an entirely new math developed for calculating the value of private air travel?
They can use it as much as they want… Obviously isn’t helping them much though. 4-0 & lookin for a 5-peat!
Clemson fan here, but thanks for being intelligent. See my post above.
Clemson fan here, but thanks for being intelligent. See my post above.
the muslim loves to screw our state just like douchebag sanford! I wish she would use the plane to move to Argentina!
I’m done with your shitty blog. Great political gossip but petty and pointless crap like this has turned me off to it. Your typical cockfan inferiority complex is entertaining though.
bye then
Goodbye and good riddance! Clem’s sons use of a state airplane is plain wrong and does not seem ethical! It’s only because Haley is a clem’s sons idiot too! Just look at her term as governor. I am sooooooo happy she didn’t go to THE GREAT CAROLINA!!! If she did, she may know how to govern LMAO!!!
how about when she went on colbert and gave him a clemson helmet after clemson got @#$%^ by WVU in the orange bowl. and she didnt at least take him a USC baseball hat or jersey or glove or anything and THEY WERE THE BACK-TO-BACK REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!! LOL!!! WTF NIMRATA?!!?!!?
As a Carolina fan, I don’t see the big deal, as long as Clemson pays the freight. I also don’t care that she supports Clemson so openly as the governor.
And when she runs again, I will vote for her.
NOT!!!!
The classless hideous deformed piece of shit!
What’s the difference between a Clemson girl (Nikki Haley) and a pig?
The pig does not have zits.
Oh the irony
Oh the irony
Haley knows this is wrong. It is an insult to every tax payer and every other school in this state.Voters remember this well
Haterz gonna hate… Y’all have beaten us on the field the past 4 years. So why do you give a shit if Clemson coaches use the “State Plane?” It obviously isn’t helping us beat USCjr. Enjoy your winning streak and stop acting like a bunch of bitches.
Haterz gonna hate… Y’all have beaten us on the field the past 4 years. So why do you give a shit if Clemson coaches use the “State Plane?” It obviously isn’t helping us beat USCjr. Enjoy your winning streak and stop acting like a bunch of bitches.
Pitchfork Ben is watching you Clemson. You better be careful.
Pitchfork Ben is watching you Clemson. You better be careful.