Death of a Legend...

Like him or not, Dr. I.M. Ibrahim was a Legend at Clemson. He was both Famous and Infamous around campus and the City of Clemson. He started the Clemson Soccer program from scratch in 1967 and he was very successful! From '72-'79 Clemson did not lose a game in the ACC (38-0-2). 19 ACC Championships from '67 to '94 and 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ('84 and '87). I was at the '87 National Championship game and it was AWESOME... He recruited remarkably, from all Jamaicans/Nigerians in 84 to All-Americans in 87 and beyond. It was amazing. Bruce Murray and Eric Eichman were 2 of the best players I have EVER seen play in person. Murray held the US National Teams scoring title for 10 years an was the fastest player with the ball I have ever seen. Wow...

On the down side, Ibrahim's temper was notorious across campus. I was friends with some of the Soccer Team, Jamie Roots, Edoo Boonstople, John Wolfe, etc were all friends of friends and they always told stories of how big an A-hole he was. I had the unfortunate dis-pleasure of having his Ex-Wife as a STAT301 teacher and she actually kicked a kid out of class for wearing Clemson Soccer t-shirt in her class. That bitch Failed me, I couldn't believe it, she was a nasty bitch - guess he rubbed off on her. His newer wife didn't fare much better - upon coming back from Charleston for the weekend in 1989 I stopped off in Columbia to wacth the Tigers play the Cocks. They actually beat us that year and after the game I was going to talk to some of the players and Ibrahim grabbed his wife by both bicepts and shook her and gritted his teeth and growled "Do not leave me, you stay right here." At least 2oo people saw this and some of his players just froze. I actually took a couple steps towards him, then he let go. I don't play that shit for anyone... What an ass.
His career ended one day when he actually punched one of his assistant coaches on the sidelines during a home game. That was the last straw - the players boycotted and he was gone.
All the while Ibrahim was compiling his Empire. From what I hear, he owned 1/2 of all downtown Clemson. Actually owning the buildings and collecting the rent would make anyone a wealthy man. He also had a Sports Clothing store chain that I heard he screwed suppliers and salesmen left and right. Coach could always be seen driving his Magnum P.I. red Ferrari 308 around town, then he upgraded to a Testarosa...

I pointed out quite a few negatives here but his work on the field speaks for itself.
Ibrahim's Legacy will live on and the Soccer Program can only aspire to meet it's previous glory. Sorry to hear about his passing. He really made a mark....