Kathleen Bassett: How Well Do You Know Dabo Swinney’s Wife?

American philanthropist and former teacher Kathleen Bassett, better known as Kathleen Swinney, is the wife of the current ‘Clemson University’ football head coach, William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney. Kathleen is no ordinary celebrity wife and is known as the “first lady of Clemson football” because of her relentless support for the team members and their families. Born in Ohio, Kathleen had first met Dabo in elementary school. They began dating officially by high school. They kept in touch though their ‘University of Alabama’ days. Kathleen graduated with a degree in education and initially taught elementary school. She married Dabo in 1994. Her life as an educator came to a halt when she became pregnant with her first child with Dabo. Now a mother of three sons, Kathleen is a full-fledged philanthropist. Following her sister Lisa’s death due to cancer, Kathleen Bassett teamed up with Dabo to form the ‘All-In Foundation,’ which funds cancer-research projects. She has also donated for many ‘Clemson’ football projects and other initiatives, such as the ‘Habitat For Humanity’ project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-cFsqhbl6Y

Early Life

Kathleen Bassett, better known as Kathleen Swinney, was born on March 27, 1971, in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States, to Jeffrey and Bette Bassett. She grew up with two sisters, Ann Cicero and Lisa Lamb, and a brother, Daniel Bassett.

Kathleen initially studied at the ‘Valley Elementary School’ in Pelham, Alabama, where she met her future husband, Dabo. She then went to ‘Riverchase Middle School’ and eventually to ‘Pelham High School,’ where she was part of the high-school cheerleading team.

Kathleen then earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the ‘University of Alabama.’ Dabo graduated in business administration from the same university.

Kathleen Bassett then started her career as a teacher of an elementary school for 4 years, while working night shifts at the ‘Shelton State Community College.’ She, however, quit her teaching career after getting pregnant with her first child with Dabo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i16qVe6_KQI

Her Relationship with Dabo

Kathleen is married to American football coach William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney, who serves as the head coach of the ‘Clemson Tigers’ at the ‘Clemson University’ in South Carolina, United States. He succeeded former coach Tommy Bowden.

Kathleen had met Dabo back in ‘Valley Elementary School’ in Pelham, Alabama, when she was in first grade and Dabo was in second grade. Kathleen thus became good friends with Dabo since the tender age of 7.

As they grew up together, Dabo and Kathleen were both part of their school’s safety patrol and student council. Her first real date with Dabo was when he asked her to dance with him at a school dance event. She recalls they had a slow dance that day.

They remained friends through ‘Riverchase Middle School’ and ‘Pelham High,’ where Dabo excelled in multiple sports. They then both graduated from the ‘University of Alabama.’ After he completed his MBA, Dabo was all set to become a coach. He proposed to Kathleen soon, and they got married on July 9, 1994. They have three sons: Clay, Drew, and Will, who have all been active in their respective school football teams. Will and Drew now play as wide receivers for the ‘Clemson Tigers,’ under their father.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IlX-7GE3ys

Their entire family is closely associated with the ‘Clemson’ football team, and Kathleen also personally keeps in touch with all the ‘Clemson’ team members and their families. This has made the media term her the “first lady of Clemson football.”

Losing Her Sister to Cancer

Kathleen’s sister Lisa Lamb was known for her fight against breast cancer since 2002. Though she was declared cancer-free in 2003, the disease returned to haunt her in 2009. It had advanced to her brain and lungs by then. In April 2011, Lisa passed away after a long battle with the disease.

Kathleen Bassett, after meeting a genetic counsellor, realized that both she and her other sister, Ann, had a 90-percent chance of getting cancer later in their lives.

Kathleen thus went through a double mastectomy to decrease her chances of breast cancer. After a few years, she got a hysterectomy done to reduce the chances of getting ovarian cancer.

Kathleen and Dabo also co-founded the non-profit organization ‘All In Foundation,’ also known as ‘Dabo’s All In Team Foundation,’ which is geared toward fighting breast cancer and funds cancer research.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ujjUN0sf10

Other Philanthropic Work

In 2016, Kathleen Bassett and Dabo donated $1 million to ‘Clemson,’ as part of the ‘IPTAY’ initiative, which dealt with football-related building projects. In August 2019, Kathleen funded a new ‘Habitat For Humanity’ home for a six-member underprivileged family in Liberty. ‘Dabo’s All-In Team Foundation’ had funded the construction of the home, and Kathleen herself helped in putting the final touches and decorating the home.

Their foundation donated $72,000 to the ‘Habitat For Humanity’ project, making it the first such project in Pickens County to be funded completely. The home was meant to have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a central-heating system. Kathleen teamed up with Lexie Vick, the marketing and communications coordinator of their foundation, and Dabo’s brother Tripp to make the project a success.