Board of Directors

 Regina Poppie is the Founder and Executive Director of Tigers Give Back. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and Spanish and brings over a decade of experience as a college volleyball coach. In addition to her collegiate career, Regina has dedicated years to coaching youth volleyball with Upward Stars, where she developed a passion for mentoring young athletes both on and off the court.

Through Tigers Give Back, Regina combines her love for athletics with her commitment to community, creating opportunities for local youth to experience the excitement and inspiration of Clemson Athletics. She is deeply grateful for the chance to give back and impact the next generation through the power of sports and shared experiences.

Valerie Melvin, holding both a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics, is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience as a mathematics instructor and online educator. 

Her extensive leadership as secretary for organizations, including community college faculty associations, state mathematics associations, and a non-profit blockchain initiative, reflects her organizational acumen and dedication to advancing educational communities.

Valerie is proud to serve as secretary for the Tigers Give Back Foundation, utilizing her organizational expertise to support their mission of fostering community engagement through sports.

Anthony Melvin served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1975 to 1979 before earning a BS in Accounting and an MA in Vocational Education. 

He held the role of Executive Director of

Internal Audit and Loss Prevention for a Fortune 500 firm from 1985 to 2001, leveraging his financial expertise and leadership skills. 

Later, he transitioned into education, teaching high school courses in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Sports Marketing until his retirement. He is

honored to contribute to the Clemson community by serving as treasurer for the Tigers Give Back Foundation, ensuring financial stewardship to support the mission of providing sports

tickets to those that might not otherwise have an opportunity to participate.

Brooks Taylor brings more than 20 years of experience in communications to Tigers Give Back. His career has spanned roles as Director of Public Relations at Martinsville Speedway, a Public Affairs specialist in the U.S. Army, a television reporter, and now Corporate Communications Officer at Carter Bank. A graduate of Marshall University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Brooks has always been passionate about telling stories that connect people and build community.

As a longtime supporter of women’s basketball and with a wife working in elementary education, Brooks has seen firsthand how sports can shape young lives. He is passionate about giving kids opportunities to experience the joy, inspiration, and sense of belonging that comes from game day. Through Tigers Give Back, Brooks is committed to helping bring happiness to children who might not otherwise have the chance to cheer on the Tigers. 

He lives in Virginia with his wife, Ashley and two kids, Emery and Quinn. 

 A native of Wilmington, NC, Alice has been passionate about athletics her entire life. A former standout in volleyball, softball, basketball, and track, she carried her love for sports into a lifelong commitment to coaching and mentoring youth. 

With over 20 years of experience, she has inspired countless young athletes, encouraging them to discover the value of teamwork, discipline, and community through sports at an early age. 

Now residing in Seneca, SC, Alice is a true light in the Clemson community. Whether she’s cheering on the Tigers in Littlejohn Coliseum or watching Tiger athletics from home, her enthusiasm never wavers. 

Her warmth, dedication, and lifelong devotion to athletics make her an invaluable part of Tigers Give Back, where she continues her mission of making sports accessible and impactful for youth.