Thursday July 09, 2009

Parking Garage; Home Field Advantage; Lady's Clinic

Parking Garage
I had to attend a going away party for a friend last night and missed the parking garage conversation. This morning I did see the drawings and would like to make a case against this mistake.

Parking is one of the biggest issues on campus today and planning for the future is a major concern. Parking garages are needed on campus but not in Lot 5.

Here are my arguments against the idea:

1. Parking garages are eye sores and the sacred area so close to the stadium does not need a major eye soar.

2. Parking garages are nightmares at major sporting events. They are a bottleneck getting into and cause major traffic jams before the games but after the games are the worst. I have had to sit in a line at a Clemson-UNC football game in a parking garage for over an hour.

3. Tailgating in a parking garage is the worst. The exhaust smell kills any atmosphere.

I would put a parking garage in the current Sirrine Hall Parking lot. That is closer to more classes for the students and would cut back on some walking for the commuter students.

In the perfect world I would revisit the idea of putting a parking garage where the current football fields sit. I have been told commuter students currently park in Lot 5 (west end zone parking lot) but most ride the CAT bus onto campus from there. If you are going to ride a bus onto to campus then moving it to the current practice fields is not a problem for the commuters.

This plan would allow the football practice fields to be moved to Lot 5. I would have concerns for the safety of players, coaches and support staff having to cross perimeter road every day for football practice now that the football offices have moved to the West Zone.

This would have to be one of the most unique set ups in college football. The student-athlete would have the weight room, training room, meeting rooms, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, practice fields and stadium at the same complex. This would be ultra-impressive to a prospective student-athlete.

I think the current police station could also be utilized better also. I never really understood why they had the campus police department at its current location. That space is fairly valuable and I would think a campus police department might be better served if it were closer to the center of campus. I am sure the football offices or IPTAY could use the room.

Some parking for football has been taken away again this year. Not for another serpentine walk-way like the disaster in Lot 2-A (by the way, who was the genius that dreamed up that idea?) There is a new military appreciation park area in the lot behind Howard’s Rock called the Scroll of Honor to honor Clemson students who gave the ultimate sacrifice in combat.

Parking garages would help non-athletic parking though. The only problem with parking garages outside of appearance is the congestion and bottleneck effect during peak hours. This would only intensify during athletic events but should not be a factor for non-athletic event parking.

Another alternative has worked at other major sporting events. Bussing patrons in works at limited parking events like the PGA Tour. I know a lot of people like parking close to the stadium but I would rather be able to tailgate in a nice area and take a quick shuttle to the stadium in an air conditioned bus than tailgate in the fumes of a parking garage and sit there in traffic trying to get out for hours after the game.

I know the ideas are being floating about now and nothing will be decided anytime soon but I would encourage anyone with a concern to make your voice heard sooner rather than later. If I have learned one thing around here in recent years it is that the powers will listen to the masses.

Home Field Advantage
On this morning’s radio show we talked about home field advantage and I ran across a figure that surprised me. Clemson is just 12-8 in its last 20 home ACC games. We have to get this figure turned around in order to win a championship. Death Valley is too special to witness this. I think one of the most important things the new staff will have to do is protect the home turf. These numbers will have to improve. Think about this, if Clemson just beats Maryland at home in 2008 and 2006 then the Tigers win the ACC Atlantic Division. We all remember the Boston College loss at home in 2007 that cost the Tigers the division. This program needs make Death Valley special again.

Ladies Clinic
The 2009 Dabo Swinney Ladies Clinic will be held July, 25th in Littlejohn Coliseum beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Clinic is sponsored by Dabo’s All-In Team Foundation and ANMED Health. Attendees will receive instruction from the Clemson coaching staff and a behind the scene look into Tiger football. Registration fee is $45; $15.00 will go directly to breast cancer research matched by Dabo’s All-In Team Foundation. Space is limited, register today at www.daboswinneyfootballcamp.com or call (864) 656-1910.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, the Byrd family, the Dixon family, Chalmers Carr.