1st Rounder [644]
TigerPulse: 99%
Posts: 479
Joined: 5/9/04
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Why I care about Clemson Football
Oct 16, 2007, 6:28 PM
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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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