Jarrett Foster

Jarrett Ryan Foster, age 33, of Pendleton, S.C. died Saturday, July 8, 2006 in a jet ski accident in South Carolina. Jarrett was a native of Rutherford County and the son of Jimmy and Linda Foster of Forest City, N.C. He was a member of Floyd's Creek Baptist Church.

A 1991 graduate of Chase High School, Jarrett continued his education at Western Carolina University. A three year letterman on Western's track team, Jarrett was captain and MVP his senior year. Jarrett earned his bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Management in 1995 and completed his Master's Degree in education in 1997. Jarrett also spent three years as an assistant track coach at Western before moving on to Clemson.

Jarrett had a great impact on the Clemson program over his career, coaching 12 All-Americans, 40 NCAA qualifiers, 23 ACC Champions and 55 All-ACC selections. During his time as an assistant coach Clemson had five top 20 team finishes and won six team ACC Championships.

Clemson's field event athletes had just completed their most successful season in history in many areas under Foster. In 2006, he coached four All-Americans, five ACC Champions and nine All-ACC athletes. Clemson had an All-American in the pole vault (indoors), the heptathlon (indoors) and the triple jump (outdoors) for the first time in school history, and had an outdoor decathlon All-American for just the second time.

Jarrett was a big reason Clemson finished second at the ACC Outdoor championships, fourth at the NCAA East Region and 26th at the NCAA national meet in 2006.

Jarrett was named the East Region Assistant Coach of the Year for Jumps/Combined Events in 2005, by the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTCA). He earned the inaugural award after coaching a long jumper and triple jumper to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, as well as a high jumper, pole vaulter, and two throwers to competition at the East Region Championships.

Jarrett loved God, his family, and life. He lived each day to its fullest.