Clemson is known for is rich history and traditions. As Southern Living’s #1 Tailgate for the second year in a row, game days in Tiger Town were meant for the record books. From the orange and purple sundresses and cowboy boots to the sea orange that stretches for miles outside of the stadium, Clemson on fall Saturdays is an experience you would never want to miss out on- and with only 2 home games of the season left make sure to make the most of them!
As Clemson students, here are some of the traditions we need to make sure we aren’t missing out on:
1. Running down the hill
The Clemson football tradition of rubbing Howard’s Rock and running down the hill has been dubbed the most exciting 25 seconds of college football. When this tradition began, the players dressed in Fike Field House (where the locker rooms were located) and ran across the street and into the stadium.
2. Clemson Alma Mater Salute
During the singing of the Clemson alma mater, students and alumni extend their arm with their thumb tucked under their hand and wave. The thumb must be tucked under because when Clemson was a military school, the students would remove their hats and hold them in their extended right hand. During the song, there is a pause before the last line, which is when students and alumni raise their right hand and wave it. The alma mater was written in 1919 and set to the current tune in the early 50’s.
3. Tiger Walk
During Dabo Swinney’s first season as head coach, he introduced this new tradition. Before the game, the team and coaches process into the football locker rooms in the West End Zone to the sounds of the band and the cheering crowds that gather in support of the tigers.
4. Finally, solid orange.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Clemson fans are very proud of their orange. Other colleges claim to be orange (Texas, Tennessee, etc.) but nothing comes close to true Clemson Orange. When Clemson was founded, the original colors were red and blue. Walter Merritt Riggs changed the colors when he formed Clemson’s first football team in 1896.
Photo Credits:
1. http://www.thestate.com/2013/0…
2. http://www.orangeandwhite.com/…