50 years ago

Sep 2, 2015, 3:16 PM

Fifty years ago I was beginning my freshman year at Clemson University. The university designation had been achieved only a year earlier due to the addition of several schools of study. However, it was the last year of a tradition that began with the cadets earlier on an all-male military school-type campus, way before becoming a university. That tradition was known as "rat-season" which was designed to bond the incoming freshmen (in 1965 that included co-eds) to the history and spirit of the school. It was the last year all the freshmen cut their hair military-style (not the girls) and wore beanies called "rat hats". This indoctrination was under growing criticism at the time and faded quickly following 1965, however, it had some positive results. You stood out from the rest of the student body so an upper class student had the opportunity to welcome you and acclimate you to campus life, or take pity on you. All rats were required at all pep rallies so you were forced to became part of the spirit. We rats sat together at the football game so the head cheerleader could urge us to yell louder and longer.

I was never "hazed" outside of being stopped by an upperclassman and asked to recite something from the book we were all issued. The "rat book" contained a history of the school, the alma mater, cheers and factoids. Answering the question correctly received a "good rat" comment, and you were on your way. Occasionally, we ran errands to the canteen or Dan's sandwich shop, but, we got a drink or snack for our efforts. The worst punishment was a "Block C" which was shaving a "C" into barely sprouting hair. I cannot remember what those guys did to receive their "C" on the night of the big pep rally, but they appeared to take it as a badge of honor. We won the game on Saturday against NC State and rat season was over and we were part of the Clemson Faithful.

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Rat, As a member of the rat class of 1968 I can assure you the tradition was alive and well past 1965. We were required to have our heads shaven and did errands for upperclassmen(many trips to Dan's, but was never treated). I quite remember spit shining the shoes of the president of the student body,Tim ? and his room mate was #### Harpootlian. They would recognize me when passing on campus. I shined the brass of many other upperclassmen as well.
I remember being forced to run laps in the quad after eating water melon and puking afterwards. I remember having to do cheers while eating. I remember banging the 50 gallon drum for a couple hours the night before the SC game in 1968. I remember having to wear my rat hat the second of which I still have(the first one tore up from using it to cheer with during the pep rallies and at games.
I remember me and a fellow rat from New Jersey hitch hiking to my home in Greenwood and it taking 4 different people picking us up and 4 hours, but we proudly wore our rat hats.
Yes, you are right that change was in the air mainly from northern students and by the next year, 1969 it was voluntary and all but dead, But I promise you that in your senior year the rat season was alive and kicking. I even still have my rat book. Bonus question...How many oranges are in the 1951 Orange Bowl trophy? Jaybird

50 years ago

Re: 50 years ago

Re: 50 years ago

Re: you post old***

50 years ago

I was a handsome, youthful, smart, about-to-be employed Rat Graduate 50 yrs aGO!

Re: 50 years ago

Same number as in the 2014 Orange Bowl trophy?

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