Building Bases

Maryland wrestling’s Clayton Gabrielson was recently recognized for his passion of wanting to become an educator. The freshman was selected as a recipient of the Dr Pepper Go Teach Tuition Giveaway. 

Gabrielson was one of a dozen student-athletes selected to represent the Big Ten Conference, and each student was selected from a different institution. The College Football Playoff Foundation and Dr Pepper collaborate on an annual award to provide tuition assistance to deserving education majors across NCAA conference partners. Student-athletes interested in pursuing careers in teaching and/or coaching are selected by their institutions. 

“We're just really excited for him to not only get the opportunity in terms of funding, but also it being an award that's given to members of the Big Ten from the College Football playoff Foundation,” said Sydney Steinberg, who is Gabrielson’s academic advisor. “It’s a pretty big name in college athletics, so just super pumped for him.”

Gabrielson is a human development major at the University of Maryland College of Education. Steinberg says he’s the only student-athlete across the three sports she advises (men’s soccer, women’s golf, and wrestling) to have a major in education. Gabrielson was a clear candidate from the university and was awarded a $2,500 tuition stipend for his nomination.  

The Maryland native developed an appreciation for educators at a young age. His mother is an elementary school teacher at Huntingtown Elementary School and his father is the director and coach for Southern Maryland Wrestling Club in Chesapeake Beach, MD. Gabrielson says he wants to follow the path of his parents and become a teacher and a coach. 

Gabrielson attended St. Mary’s Ryken High School, but before he entered high school, he reclassed in the eighth grade. In the second year, he was homeschooled and spent his free time helping his parents with their respective jobs. 

“Once a week I would go into my mom's classroom and help out with her kids,” Gabrielson said. “I really grew a passion for it there, and since I was 10-to-11 years old, I've been helping my dad in the room with the novice four-year-olds and that hasn't changed. I still try to go home as much as I can and help out. It has always been a part of my life.”

The 141-pound wrestler claimed eighth place at the Tiger Style Invite on Nov. 11. He competed unattached and won three matches at the 2024 Franklin and Marshall Lehman Open on Jan. 5. He also participated at the Southeast and Patriot Opens earlier in the wrestling season to contribute to a promising freshman campaign for the Terps.  

"When you choose a school like Maryland, you do so to compete both in the classroom and on the wrestling mat," wrestling head coach Alex Clemsen said. "Clayton has exemplified that since coming to College Park. We are super proud of his efforts in both areas and his earning of this grant shows just how hard he’s working in the classroom. I’m excited for Clayton‘s future and for the impact he will make on young people every day as a future teacher and coach."

The money Gabrielson received from the giveaway will help him perform at a high level on the mat and in the classroom. He’s not currently a student-athlete on a full scholarship, therefore making him a proper applicant. 

Gabrielson will now have many opportunities to further his education and create more experiences that will put him on a path to becoming a successful teacher and coach. Steinberg says it's often difficult for student-athletes to own their academic identity, but Gabrielson has been on top of his schoolwork since coming to campus. 

“The personal ties to education are super important and it seems that is deeply ingrained in his family's values,” Steinberg said. “To have somebody who comes in and here and is like, ‘This is what I want,’ is very different and it's very unique.”

Not many student-athletes take the education career route, but Gabrielson says it’s important to help children build a good foundation of morals and views and help instill confidence in them.

“I feel like being a teacher for little kids really builds their base,” Gabrielson said. “You can really be a positive figure in a little kid's life. That's my big reason for teaching and I've always felt like I've connected with the youth.”