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Why I care about Clemson Football

Oct 16, 2007, 6:28 PM

I remember that first crisp fall day. My first Clemson Football game, November 1973. Having moved away from South Carolina, it was rare when my dad, a Clemson Graduate, got to return and see a game. This, my first game, came about 2 days after we buried my Grandfather. Everyone was sad, and we all were grieving terribly. But dad, in his wisdom, got his 9 year old son out of the house, and to a place he called Death Valley. On one end, the east end, was a HUGE grass hill that ran from sideline to sideline. The North and South Sides only had one deck, and the place was about 2/3 full on this day. The opponent, if my memory serves me right, was NC State. But I didn't care. Here I was with Dad, at a game, sharing a common joy, and a joy that I still carry with me today. A joy that, some 34 years later is still etched in my mind clearly.

Two years later, we moved to Greenville, and dad and I started going to home games. I believe the only game we missed in 1975 was against some former girl's school, a Florida State or something. They had a new coach. Glad I missed that game actually, as the former girls school put a whoopin on my now beloved Tigers.

I remember finding a place to park back behind Hardee's and running, joyfully, regardless of the outcome, back to the car after the games to, as dad would say " Beat the traffic". Funny how I remember that kind of thing so much more than special dinners, birthday's etc. I remember running through clemson with dad. We might have run over you if you were there.

The IPTAY membership increased, the seats got better, and eventually the parking spot got better too, as we no longer had to scrounge for a spot behind hardees.

Through the years and into my early 20's dad and I were faithful followers of our dear tigers. Eventually, mom and my sister got into the act as well. And although we were all together, it was still a special time to be with my dad.

1981 brought a memory that can never, ever be taken away. One that showed that a little "Cow" school in "wherever, they are, I think it's Texas" could rise up and reach the pinnacle of sport. I remember the joy, unbridled, and unabbreviated joy, over the accomplishments of those 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 year old kids. Unbridled joy.

You see, Clemson Football is about so much more than football. It's about friends, and family, and remembering the great times that occur, the best of which are spontaneous and totally unexpected.

We have had many coaches inspire those boys to run down the hill. We've had colorful charecters, Peanut Martin, William Perry, and my personal favorite Vandel Arrington, wear the orange, white, and.. blech, purple.

What do they have in common with today's team? They all run down that same hill, albeit encroached upon by the north and south stands. They all see a sea of orange as the "Song that shakes the Southland" Blares out anew, the call to fight, and they all represent the university that we love so much.

I recall a visit with my oldest boy to see my ailing father in the hospital in November 2002. It was the day that Clemson played Maryland. From his hospital bed, dad handed me two tickets to that night's game. It rained, rained and rained some more, and we lost. But you know, that night, a dad and his 9 year old ran through the parking lot to get to the car to " beat the traffic". And we laughed and we giggled, and we remembered. Winning didnt seem that important.

3 weeks later, my father fell asleep for the last time. Thanks, dad, and thank you, Clemson, for the memories. If I never have another, i"ve had enough.

And thats why I care about Clemson Football.

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Both my parents went to Clemson. We started going to the games together as a family when we moved back to the Upstate in 1978. We continued going as a family after we moved to Columbia in 1984.

My sisters and I all went to Clemson. I think it was largely because we had fond memories of the entire experience of coming to the games. The wins faded, the losses only stung for a little while, but the love of Clemson always remained.

This was made all the more real to me last Saturday. We were driving to the fair and cut through the USC Campus on Blossom Street. I let my kids know that we were going through the campus. My eight year old blurted out "Who would want to go to school here."

My Wife and I now travel out from Columbia to the home games with our kids. At age five and eight, they are still not really sure what is going on during the game sometimes. My daughter got mad because I called Tommy the "s word" at the last game....Stupid. To them the experience is what is fun. The team getting on the bus and then running down the hill. Watching the military and homecoming displays on Bowman. Cadence count, yelling loudly when we are on defense, and the jump up dance at kickoff. They like to hear the cannon because they know that we did something good.

All Clemson fans want to see the team succeed. I would like to see Tommy right the ship and finish strong. If he does not, I expect that Clemson will make a change. A change will not be made because people on Tigernet do not like the bubble screen. It will be changed because the Clemson Football Experience produces strong customer loyalty. At the end of the day, Clemson has a brand to manage. It is a brand that produces an extremely high level of customer loyalty. I expect that James Barker and Terry Don Phillips recognize that.

Go Tigers

Why I care about Clemson Football

THE HOTTIES!***

Re: THE HOTTIES!***

That was awesome!***

Re: That was awesome!***

one of the best stories I have ever heard!!!!!!!!!***

Re: one of the best stories I have ever heard!!!!!!!!!***

^^^^^^^^HOF right there folks!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^***

Re: ^^^^^^^^HOF right there folks!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^***

sadly, most of the immature punks on this-a-here bored

Re: sadly, most of the immature punks on this-a-here bored

Awesome post***

Re: Awesome post***

Good post. Thanks for sharing.***

Re: Good post. Thanks for sharing.***

Great post******

Re: Great post******

Big Thumbs up***

Re: Big Thumbs up***

A HOF vote for your post, sir-thanks***

Re: A HOF vote for your post, sir-thanks***

Awesome post! I have to listen via computer now,

Re: Awesome post! I have to listen via computer now,

WOW.....that was excellent.....

I bow to you

Man, my eyes are welling up - thanks for sharing***

Thank you, sir.***

I have to admit....THAT is perspective***

I have to admit...THAT is perspective***

Re: Why I care about Clemson Football

Thank you so much for sharing.***

One of the greatest posts I have ever read.

Wow...Yep HOF Post right there. Thank you for sharing!***

One of the best in my 3 years on here- thanks!***

Point #94, thanks for sharing.***

Thank you.***

Re: Why I care about Clemson Football

HOF all the way! Thanx for the memories :--)***

Great story. Not that it matters, but here's the home sched

Re: Great story. Not that it matters, but here's the home sched

Re: Why I care about Clemson Football

I'm wiping away the tears! What a touching story! Thanks!***

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