End of an Era? Rigler family sees latest Tiger graduate

By Teresa C. Hopkins
Media Relations

CLEMSON, SC – May 11, 2011 – Of the more than 120,000 Clemson alumni across the country, 10 are from the same family.

The blood runs orange in the Rigler family from Pennsylvania. When Tyler C. Rigler graduates, he will join his five older siblings as Clemson alumni.

“It is a tremendous honor for me to be a part of such a tradition. My family has always been supportive and given me advice for my journey through Clemson,” Tyler said. “Clemson has not only given my family a great education, but has also given us a bond that has brought us even closer.”

Above photo: The Rigler family, nine of whom have graduated from Clemson. Notpictured: Tyler Rigler, who will become the 10th family member tograduate from Clemson when he walks across the stage on May 13.

The Rigler family Clemson legacy began with Tyler’s father, Earl K. Rigler Jr., a 1971 Clemson graduate.

“I always told the kids they could go any wherever they wanted to for college. I just wasn’t paying for anywhere else but Clemson,” Earl said.

The senior Rigler was the second person from his high school to attend Clemson.

“The first person, Thomas Brown, was a year ahead of my dad and convinced him to see ‘where the Blue Ridge yawns its greatness,’” said Monica Rigler Morris, Class of 2002.

Monica says her dad reunited with her mother after graduating. The two had known each other since kindergarten.

“Mom went to the University of Delaware, but we don’t hold that against her,” Monica teases.

Monica says her family was known as “the Clemson family” in their hometown of Kennett Square, Pa.

Above photo: The Rigler siblings, from left, Tyler, Todd, Alicia, Gina, Monica and Jess.

The Rigler family Clemson connection also includes three in-laws. The breakdown of the Rigler family Clemson legacy is:

• Earl K. Rigler Jr., 1971, has a B.A. in psychology with a minor in political science, attended Baltimore School of Law and has practiced in Pennsylvania for more than 33 years. He is owner of Rigler & D’Amico, LLP law firm.
• Jess M. Rigler, 1998, earned a B.A. in history and minor in English. His wife, Stephanie Moore Rigler, is a 1998 graduate with a B.A. in secondary education. Jess and Stephanie live in Indianapolis, Ind. They have two boys, Chase and Cole. Jess completed an M.S. in sports administration from Central Michigan University and works for the NCAA.
• Alicia E. Rigler is a 2000 graduate with a degree in economics. She attended George Mason University School of Law and is an attorney at Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP Law Firm in Austin, Texas.
• Monica Rigler Morris, 2002, earned her degree in human resources development. She now is pursuing her MBA at Texas Women’s University and works in human resources for Thomson Reuters in Dallas, Texas.
• Todd E. Rigler, 2004, earned a B.S. in business management. His wife, Jessica Bush Rigler, graduated in 2003 with a degree in speech and communications. They live in Columbia, where Todd completed his master’s degree at the University of South Carolina and now is attending the USC School of Law, and Jessica is a schoolteacher.
• Gina Rigler Rowland is a 2007 graduate in communication studies. Her husband, William Rowland, earned his Clemson degree in economics in 2006 and works for The Vanguard Group. Gina earned a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Georgia and currently works for MISource Inc. She and William now live in Charlotte.
• And last, Tyler C. Rigler will graduate on May 13 with a degree in business management.

“My parents have had a child at Clemson, and at many times two children at Clemson, since 1995,” Monica said.

The Clemson years have created countless fond memories for the family — from athletic events to study sessions to graduations.

“Through the years my parents have proudly attended countless homecomings, football games and Tigeramas. They are particularly proud to stand up when the announcer calls for parents who have sent multiple children to Clemson,” Monica said. “I think most of our favorite Clemson memories are when the family is all together at football games, homecomings and graduations. It was always comforting for us and our parents to know you had a sibling on campus to call on in a time of need.”

More than one Rigler on campus at a time created more comfort than competition — sometimes.

“We were fortunate enough to have one car, to share.  A famous story told time and time again is that the car would be hidden in one of ‘the pits’ by one sibling so that the other sibling couldn’t take it. This worked well, until we got a car with a keyless remote alarm button. It made finding the hidden vehicle a lot easier.”

A sibling on campus could serve as a study buddy as well.

“Admittedly I was not good at accounting. My parents sensed I was struggling early, and Dad would send Alicia over to my dorm as a tutor. She would sit with me in Lever Hall and work accounting problems until late in the night. I think it’s the only way I passed,” Monica said.

The 1990s were full of visits to Clemson for the Riglers. Monica remembers she and her siblings attending a weeklong basketball camp at the University.

“Todd and I were so excited to meet basketball coach Cliff Ellis and we got our camp shirts signed by Clemson player Elden Campbell on the last day. That week was one of the best of our lives,” she said.

Every visit to Clemson would result in dozens of Clemson T-shirts.

“We would proudly wear them nearly every day,” Monica said.

The years — and the miles, it is a 12-hour drive between Kennett Square, Pa., and Clemson — are full of memories that aren’t likely to fade any time soon.

“That’s a lot of time to joke around and share stories,” Monica said of the trips.

The Clemson history has been set for the Riglers, and the future is in their control. Is it really the end of an era, or are there future Tigers in training in Jess and Stephanie’s boys, Chase and Cole?

According to Monica, “Ideally we would all send our children to Clemson.”

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