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All-In [25393]
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The famous I-26 Tiger Paws escapade...
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Oct 1, 2023, 2:50 PM
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Many of you fellow alumni and/or IPTAY donors have likely seen the Fall 2023 edition of the "Clemson World," which sets the record straight about the infamous Tiger Paws on I-26.
Most of us in the Columbia Clemson Club back in the 70's had long speculated that a fraternity had pulled off the prank. Not so.
I had only been in Columbia about five years in the fall of 1977, having returned from three years overseas military duty and was living in the St, Andrews area, northwest of the city. Hoping on I-26 east toward the city one morning just prior to the Clemson/SC game to be held here, I was stunned and in great joy to see large, orange Tiger Paws, painted in the eastbound lanes of I-26 and I-126 into the city, I learned later, they stretched from the Greenville area into Columbia, and the Clemson folks were in great jubilation. The Gamecocks, not so much.
The perpetrators remained mum, the rumors flew, and most believed a frat was involved. Per the article, a Clemson alumnus, Joel Wells (57) got the idea from his wife, Zan, marshalled up alumni friends, and planned a military-like operation that mostly went off without a hitch.
They had about 50 teams, armed with stencils and paint, each assigned a mile marker along I-385 and I-26, and designated a 2 a.m. execution one night, each taking about 15-20 seconds. Cal McMeekin (65) and a cohort had the last assignment, but it went so quickly, they proceeded on down Huger St. toward Bluff Road at the stadium. They paused reluctantly at the Richland County Sheriff's station.
Cal said it was a prank you'd expect from college students, but, no, they were 35-50 year olds on a dare and a mission. Unbelievable!
It will remain for us Clemson folks living here then, the greatest prank of pranks of all times. Even the Carolina folks I knew in those days were incredulous as to how it was conducted, but acknowledged the great success of the prank.
Doggone, if I wouldn't love to see that repeated one more time...when the game is in Columbia...ahem ahem! lol
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Oculus Spirit [83133]
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Great story. Thanks.***
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Oct 1, 2023, 2:54 PM
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Oculus Spirit [83133]
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Though, good thing we won the game that year on the
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Oct 1, 2023, 2:59 PM
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Catch I.
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All-In [25393]
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I am glad you added that, as it became a legend in
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Oct 1, 2023, 3:03 PM
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of itself that year..,Jerry Butler and the Catch I.
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CU Medallion [53830]
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No need to add "I" to " THE CATCH"....at least not for those
Oct 3, 2023, 3:30 AM
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of us that were there.....It is amazing that the two players that were known for THE CATCH, one in college and one in the NFL, were not only on that field that night, but both played for Clemson and BOTH made a crucial catch in that final drive....We TIGERS have truly been blessed over the past 40 to 50 years......
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CU Guru [1836]
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A similar escapade occurred I think a
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Oct 1, 2023, 3:11 PM
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Few years earlier when the O in Carolina that's painted on that big white water tank on Whaley St, cootville was replaced with a perfectly painted orange paw.
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Orange Blooded [2848]
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Re: The famous I-26 Tiger Paws escapade... - Too much
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Oct 1, 2023, 3:17 PM
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traffic these days for this to work.
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CU Medallion [53830]
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I have often thought , it would be nice to see a BIG ORANGE
Oct 3, 2023, 3:34 AM
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PAW planted on that commercial building right outside center field in Sarge Frye Field....wouldn't that be something the next time we played ........that and a big ORANGE EGG laying underneath that million dollar chicken.....Yessir, us old timers have thoughts....just too old to execute anymore...I have one more idea...that well...if it ever happens...you will know who did it...just sayin'
Spud
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CU Guru [1025]
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Re: The famous I-26 Tiger Paws escapade...
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Oct 1, 2023, 6:51 PM
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Most impactful in the way of repeat performances would be a platoon of drones outfitted with paint sprayers putting one at midfield just before kickoff at The Roach this November. I can see them appearing majestically in formation over the stadium, perhaps with Ride of the Valkyries (or Tiger Rag) blaring over the sound system we have also commandeered, doing the deed, and fleeing before anyone can react.
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Orange Blooded [2311]
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I was there...
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Oct 1, 2023, 7:57 PM
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There was a team at every even numbered mile marker. The paws alternated between the left land and right lane to simulate a big cat walking going East from Greenville to Huger street. Everybody had CB radios back then. At 1:oo am each team hit the interstate and spray painted their paw on their team’s assigned mile marker. They were down in a very short period of time. When your paw was down and you were on your way you got on CB CH 19, announced your mile marker and said “Garnet and Black”. Then many of us met at the 104 truck stop and ate. Cal Meekin was late getting to the truck stop. He said the paws looked so good they went down and painter two more on Huger St in front of the Richland County Sheriff’s DEPT. I was at mile marker 104. What a great time to be a Tiger.
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All-In [25393]
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That will always remain one of the greatest
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Oct 2, 2023, 4:59 AM
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pranks in the rivalry...to me, the greatest.
The mystery of the "culprits" was a point of discussion for years, even here on TNet, and I recall most of us thought a frat was involved. The fact that it was a group of alumni makes the tale even more significant.
Thanks for posting and for participating.
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CU Medallion [53830]
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Hartins...I dated Mr. Wells step daughter Erin and played
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Oct 1, 2023, 9:03 PM
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football with his step son Steve at Wade Hampton back in the 70's. I met Mr. Wells several times and knew he was a great player at Clemson but I have never heard this story. I wish I would have been a part of that convoy....I can just see it going all wrong and after a chase by the police...seeing the look on the officers face when he saw an interior of the car covered in orange paint! I would like to know just how many cold beers have been consumed reliving that night!!!
Go Tigers!
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Oculus Spirit [90820]
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Thx Hartins..not sure I knew that story but did meet Joel
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Oct 1, 2023, 11:03 PM
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once in AD’s office and he got up out of his waiting room chair and introduced himself which stunned me in that I knew of his RB history and knew his older brother Jimmy who was an Olineman and architect in Greenville who awarded me the Duke Power Keowee-Toxaway Visitors Center to decorate & furnish.
Super Guys!
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All-In [25393]
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Bill, check your T-mail from me about an old cohort
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Oct 2, 2023, 5:30 AM
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of ours on "The Tiger" newspaper staff.
Just posted on Spud's comments about Wells and McMeekin. Wish the heck my mind was clearer, but back in those days I was fairly active in the huge Columbia Clemson Club and met a number of older, active alumni. Most people aren't aware of how many alumni/fans, etc. live in the Columbia/Lexington area, but I think it ranks just below the Greenville/Spartanburg area, way on up into the multi-thousands. Some big names and families here among the Clemson faithful.
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All-In [25393]
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Spud, I had heard the name Joel Wells, thinking I
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Oct 2, 2023, 5:21 AM
[ in reply to Hartins...I dated Mr. Wells step daughter Erin and played ] |
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met him some years ago. Same thing with Cal McMeekin, but time has clouded my memories.
One former big time Clemson alum I did know was B.C. Inabinet, founder of Defender Industries here in the Columbia area, who hosted huge Clemson gatherings way back when. I'm thinking I met Wells and/or McMeekin at one of B.C.'s shindigs. Saw B.C.'s daughter, Dixie, at the Boykin Christmas Parade last year, and she is a treasure trove of Clemson lore. Next time I see her, I'll ask her about the Paws escapade, as I'd be willing to bet B.C. knew all about it, He was in on anything and everything about Clemson, stunning me when I met him, as he knew I had been the Editor of "The Tiger," as well as a Cheerleader among other things.
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Orange Blooded [3290]
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Re: Spud, I had heard the name Joel Wells, thinking I
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Oct 2, 2023, 5:46 AM
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That is a great story, I always wondered who did those Paws!
When we played Georgia Tech in 1972, in Atlanta of course, when we got to Grant Field there were Tiger Paws painted on the columns al around the stadium! We learned they were painted by another student, Ronnie Barnhill from Shelby, NC. We knew Ronnie from when he lived in Bishopville, SC. Sadly Ronnie passed away a number of years ago but is fondly remembered.
Message was edited by: djones73®
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CU Guru [1013]
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Re: The famous I-26 Tiger Paws escapade...
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Oct 2, 2023, 1:55 PM
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77 watch out this year
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110%er [5483]
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Re: The famous I-26 Tiger Paws escapade...
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Oct 2, 2023, 4:34 PM
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A guy i worked with was in on it. He never fessed up but the next morning he had orange paint on his shoes.
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Scout Team [158]
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Re: The famous I-26 Tiger Paws escapade...
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Oct 2, 2023, 5:12 PM
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It is a great article. I read it yesterday afternoon.
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