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Replies: 26
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Game Changer [2096]
TigerPulse: 100%
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First Visit
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Aug 18, 2023, 6:54 AM
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I'll be taking my son to the opening home game at Death Valley on Sept. 9. It'll be his first ever visit, and my first since I was a kid. Any suggestions we should know about? Parking is handled, but that's about all. Last time I was in Clemson for a game was 1981.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/ideas.
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Legend [6834]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
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Aug 18, 2023, 7:01 AM
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I will say this, parking is a whole lot different now than in 81. Good luck.
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Game Changer [2096]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
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Aug 18, 2023, 7:02 AM
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I've gathered that from reading t-net. We're actually not going to park, my wife will drop us off that morning and come back later to pick us up when things die down a bit.
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Asst Coach [803]
TigerPulse: 95%
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Re: First Visit
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Aug 18, 2023, 7:07 AM
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You’re being dropped off the morning of and picked up post game? So planning to walk around and then be in the stadium through the game?
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TigerNet HOFer [128683]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Posts: 57940
Joined: 2009
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LOL! She gonna come back and pick you up?
Aug 18, 2023, 9:46 AM
[ in reply to Re: First Visit ] |
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Good luck with that!
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Gridiron Giant [16084]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Posts: 17586
Joined: 1999
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Really think you should consider getting a parking pass SOMEWHERE.
Aug 18, 2023, 10:09 AM
[ in reply to Re: First Visit ] |
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I don’t know the particulars of your situation but getting back to campus after a game would be a huge test of patience, if possible at all.
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Game Changer [1606]
TigerPulse: 100%
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I would very much advise against this
Aug 18, 2023, 10:20 AM
[ in reply to Re: First Visit ] |
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Unless you're planning on camping out in the parking lot. Coming back to campus after a game is nearly impossible.
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Clemson Conqueror [11614]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
Aug 18, 2023, 10:27 AM
[ in reply to Re: First Visit ] |
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Check out the post game bus drop offs. Might catch one that drops like at the church parking lot which would be easier to get picked up from but depends on what side of town your is coming from. There are several transports available. I know they will let you hop on the handicapped transport too with smaller kids if its not full that takes out to handicapped parking. Could make things a little easier. Have to check the site for pickup/drop-off points.
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Hall of Famer [8516]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
Aug 18, 2023, 3:33 PM
[ in reply to Re: First Visit ] |
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I don’t even think they allow traffic to come back into campus until at least 2-3 hours after the game ends. The game starts at 2:15 and probably won’t end until around 6:30 so you are looking on getting out after 9pm.
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Solid Orange [1339]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
Aug 18, 2023, 5:23 PM
[ in reply to Re: First Visit ] |
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Buy a parking pass online. If she doesn’t want to come to game she can drop you off downtown. You can hit the stores and buy all your Clemson the walk campus on way to stadium. Wife can come in to parking spot about 3rd Qtr and wait for you
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Clemson Conqueror [11240]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
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5
Aug 18, 2023, 7:02 AM
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Took my wife to her first game in about 15 years last year, just soaking in the ambiance around the stadium, going to the Tiger Walk, being in the stadium pre game etc. will be more than enough.
Enjoy and go Tigers!
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Top TigerNet [28570]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Went to my first game last year.
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Aug 18, 2023, 8:02 AM
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Thanks to the graciousness of folks here on T-net. Based on what you said, here are my suggestions.
1. Walk around the campus. Warning, it's hilly. But, just let your son get the ambiance of a college campus. Walk downtown. Stop in Judge Keller's store. You don't have to buy anything, but you certainly can. Ask someone about the history of that place.
2. Watch the Tiger Walk. Thanks to suggestions, we didn't go right down to the walk and fight the crowd. (But, you might want to do that.) We stood on the sidewalk next to the stadium up the hill a little bit. (You'll understand when you get there.) We could see the entire walk and enjoyed watching those who were right by the players and see their reaction and feel the emotion. (If you're not sure where I'm talking about, ask someone where the busses come to drop the visiting team off. That's a great place to stand.)
3. Get to your seat before the players leave the locker room. Watch them leave the locker room, get on the busses, and ride around the stadium on the jumbotron. The excitement builds in the stadium. Your son will love it. By the time they run down the hill he'll be saying, "I wanna do that!" (You'll enjoy it, too. 👍 )
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Commissioner [1208]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Went to my first game last year.
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Aug 18, 2023, 10:02 AM
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Thanks to the graciousness of folks here on T-net. Based on what you said, here are my suggestions.
1. Walk around the campus. Warning, it's hilly. But, just let your son get the ambiance of a college campus. Walk downtown. Stop in Judge Keller's store. You don't have to buy anything, but you certainly can. Ask someone about the history of that place.
2. Watch the Tiger Walk. Thanks to suggestions, we didn't go right down to the walk and fight the crowd. (But, you might want to do that.) We stood on the sidewalk next to the stadium up the hill a little bit. (You'll understand when you get there.) We could see the entire walk and enjoyed watching those who were right by the players and see their reaction and feel the emotion. (If you're not sure where I'm talking about, ask someone where the busses come to drop the visiting team off. That's a great place to stand.)
3. Get to your seat before the players leave the locker room. Watch them leave the locker room, get on the busses, and ride around the stadium on the jumbotron. The excitement builds in the stadium. Your son will love it. By the time they run down the hill he'll be saying, "I wanna do that!" (You'll enjoy it, too. 👍 )
5. My son always wants to be where the busses unload to start the tiger walk. Dabo normally comes around shakes kids hands before the tiger walk starts there.
6. Lespaws reply
7. Exchange 55 ice cream after the game
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Top TigerNet [28570]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Good point on your #5.
Aug 18, 2023, 3:22 PM
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Obviously, I've never done that.
We were where the opposing teams busses unloaded. (Louisville game.) It was fun watching them get off the bus and a group of UL fans and parents yelling "L's Up!" Very gracious actions on both teams fans. Would be a safe space for a kid.
But, watching Clemson players get off bus and being able to shake hands or at least see the coaches up close would probably be better.
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Top TigerNet [28425]
TigerPulse: 100%
55
Posts: 13253
Joined: 2014
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Re: Went to my first game last year.
Aug 18, 2023, 5:12 PM
[ in reply to Re: Went to my first game last year. ] |
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55 Exchange will probably be closed after the game. Call on Friday to verify their hours that day.
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Top TigerNet [28425]
TigerPulse: 100%
55
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Joined: 2014
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Re: Went to my first game last year.
Aug 18, 2023, 5:17 PM
[ in reply to Re: Went to my first game last year. ] |
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If you are there early, 55 Exchange may be open before the game. Since it is a 2:15 game they will either be open something like 10AM - 12 noon before the game or 4PM - 6PM after the game. They close 2 hours before the game so the student employees can get to the game. Like I said in the other post, call Friday to get their hours.
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Top TigerNet [29122]
TigerPulse: 100%
55
Posts: 22242
Joined: 2002
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Take out a 2nd mortgage so that you can afford
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Aug 18, 2023, 8:36 AM
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to buy your son some Dippin Dots.
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Clemson Conqueror [11947]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Posts: 10013
Joined: 2006
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Orange Phenom [14450]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Get there early enough to go downtown and hit the stores!
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Aug 18, 2023, 9:34 AM
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I always tried to get in the stadium early enough to let my son watch the players warm up, see Dabo, and the other coaches, etc.......Then, when the band comes in, it's all on go, building up to THE HILL entrance!! Buy a program!!
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [98453]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Joined: 2009
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Hey Anaton21..
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Aug 18, 2023, 10:34 AM
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here’s some possibilities:
* Get to town at least 2 hrs b/4 game.
* Have your wife let y’all off couple blocks away from maint street downtown so she does not get snarled in traffic.
* Walk about 2 blocks to downtown College street area so Son can go into a shop or two to get a souvenir cap, etc.
* Then walk from there a block to Bowman Field “at least” one hour b/4 kick-off and down to the Amphitheater to hear TiGER band warm up & play pep songs..
* Then follow them 100 yds to side street adjoining the Calhoun Mansion where they assemble in formation as does cheerleaders..which would be exactly 45 minutes b/4 kick-off.
Stay there by side of Calhoun Home so you can watch and tag along with them going down the outer hill towards the South end of stadium (end with scoreboard)..all the time they are playing our beautiful sounding Tiger Rag tune. What fun & sounds!
As they turn right at the Stadium still playing the Rag, you have 30 minutes to head quickly to enter the stadium at your designated gate, to your seat so to see Tiger Team assemble at The Hill & run down.
Enjoy and take Pics for posterity!!
Go TiGERS..ROCK!
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110%er [4017]
TigerPulse: 100%
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These are all great suggestions
Aug 18, 2023, 11:28 AM
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and you can't do them all the first trip. You would need a golf cart to get from place to place and meet all of the events. Prioritize based on what your son wants to do. Sounds like TigerWalk is his highest priority. Time wise I don't know if that allows you to get to where you can see the band coming down the street towards the stadium, but that is certainly something to see.
After the game go and get the milkshake and then walk across campus to "downtown" to get the T-shirts etc. Stop at Judge Keller's (I assume that is the direction to meet your wife) and let him see what stores used to be like. It has commercialized since I went there in the 60s, but not that much compared to most places.
Enjoy and plan on returning often as he will see it as a high point of his times with Dad.
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Game Changer [2096]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
Aug 18, 2023, 3:03 PM
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I really appreciate all of the input! We'll be there early that morning, roughly 9am or so. I figured getting back out again will be an issue, but I don't have any plans for Saturday night.
I'll definitely follow some of the tips posted here, thanks again!
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All-Time Great [92723]
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Joined: 2006
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Welcome to Tiger Town***
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Aug 18, 2023, 3:16 PM
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Top TigerNet [28570]
TigerPulse: 100%
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One more suggestion.
Aug 18, 2023, 3:27 PM
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Since you said you are getting there early, as you are walking around, walk through some tailgating parking lots. Introduce yourself to people. Let them know this is your son's first game. You will be amazed at the hospitality thrown your way.
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Tiger Spirit [9304]
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Joined: 2009
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Where in the double hellllll have you been?
Aug 18, 2023, 3:28 PM
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###
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Game Changer [2096]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Where in the double hellllll have you been?
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Aug 18, 2023, 3:49 PM
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I joined the service in 1989, finally retired in 2013. Stayed in Virginia so my son could stay in the same school system with his friends. We plan on moving back to SC (originally from Greenville, Berea and Sans Souci area for those that remember) in the near future.
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1st Rounder [659]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: First Visit
Aug 18, 2023, 3:50 PM
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Hang around a gas station looking lost and maybe you could get a ride out of town with Robbie Caldwell like those Notre Dame guys did in 2015.
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Replies: 26
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