All In Ball allows Dabo Swinney to help 'serve the community'

CLEMSON — When Dabo Swinney was named Clemson’s head coach back in 2009, he knew he wanted to use his elevated platform for more than coaching.

He chose to form Dabo’s All In Team Foundation, which over the last 12 years has created programs such as The Family Effect and LIFE Programs while helping fund CallMeMISTER and breast cancer research, too. Swinney’s foundation has raised and donated over $6.6 million to those organizations, along with South Carolina-based research teams, nonprofits and organizations.

On Saturday, the All In Foundation will holds its annual All In Ball at the Shepherd Hotel in downtown Clemson. The event serves as the main fundraiser for Swinney’s organization. After last year’s ball was called off because of COVID-19, this year’s will be held in hybrid fashion, with a live stream and approximately 400 in-person attendees.

“First of all, it’s just important to Kath [Swinney] and I to serve the community, but also to teach and empower our players to give,” Swinney said on 105.5 The Roar earlier this week. “And really, to experience the joy that comes from being able to serve other people. That’s really what I’ve always tried to teach our guys. True joy doesn’t come from confetti or trophies or money or anything like that, it comes from helping other people. From day one, 2010, our very first All In Ball that spring we raised $90,000 and the intention of this foundation was truly to use this platform and serve. To give back. Not knowing how long we would be here or have this opportunity, but we really wanted to make a difference. That’s what we’ve done.

“It’s [money fundraised] just gone right into this community, right into this state and hopefully has created a lot of opportunity for other people and we’ve created hope. I’ve always been chasing my dream; I’m still chasing my dream. It’s been about helping other people chase their dream.”

Dabo Swinney will hold his All In Ball on Saturday night. (Courtesy of All In Foundation)

The All In Ball includes a silent auction, which is filled with Tigers memorabilia, artwork, jewelry and other items, which are donated by South Carolina small businesses.

The ball always includes a guest speaker. Past speakers have included Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy. This year’s speaker is Jon Gruden, the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Gruden and Dabo Swinney have become friends over the years, as the Raiders coach has drafted a handful of former Clemson players. Now he’s at Clemson, helping giving back to the community.

“He’s actually never been to Clemson, he’s been trying to come a few times,” Swinney said. “In fact, he was coming last spring. He was going to speak at our clinic last spring and that was literally, it was supposed to be right after spring break. Of course, it was during spring break that COVID hit, so that obviously canceled his trip. He hasn’t had a chance to get here, so we talked about it last year and he said let’s just do it next year. Here’s next year. He’ll be a lot of fun. He’s not your typical guy, a lot of times you’re like you just want to make things as easy as possible, get you in and get you out. And he’s like no, I want to hang out. He’s going to come in on Friday and we’re going to hang out, spend some time, talk some ball. Show him Clemson on Saturday and really take some time to tour him around a little bit, then the event is Saturday night. He’s really excited about it, he’s been pumped about this for a year. We’ve just become friends.”