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TigerTraditions

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Solid orange Solid Orange is about pride. Clemson fans, friends, alumni and students undoubtedly love to show this Tiger pride through their actions of honoring the University’s traditions, teams, performances, people and one another. Students can be part of this exclusive campus movement when they

•wearorangeeverygameandonFridays, •showthepaw,wearitproudly, •holdgreatprideinwhatmakes •welcomeothersintheClemsonway... Clemson unique, greet them, help them find their way, •aregoodsports, •cheerrespectfully...butbetheloudest •winwithclass, fansinthecountry, •followrulesregardingalcohol, •havefun!

ClemSon alma mater Where the Blue Ridge yawns its greatness, Where the Tigers play, Here the sons of dear old Clemson Reign supreme alway. CHORUS Dear old Clemson we will triumph And with all our might, ThattheTiger’sroarmayecho…O’erthemountainheight!

This is the first verse and chorus of Clemson University’s Alma Mater

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and is sung at the conclusion of all Clemson sporting events by our sports teams, alumni and students. At thebeginningofthenote“O’er”,placeyourhandintheairoutwardwithyourthumbtuckedunderyour

hand and wave it until the end of the note “height.”

ClemSon tiger rag Clap your hands along with the Tiger Band as they play Clemson University’s fight song before, during and after sporting events. Clap your hands to the beat all the way through the song until it is timetospelloutCLEMSON.Atthattime,makeyourhand into a fist and count out each letter C-L-E-M-S-O andaftertheOmakeaclockwise,circularmotionwithyour right hand for an extra beat and finish it off with an emphatic N.

CadenCe Count Clemson’s cadence count cheer was born in Clemson’s military days and can be heard at many Clemsonsportingevents.Tostartthecheeryell:C-L-E-Mincadencecount! Thenthecheergoeslikethis:1-2-3-41-2-3-4C-L-E-M-S-O-NT-I-G-E-RRRR-S,FIGHTTIGERS,FIGHTTIGERS,FIGHTFIGHTFIGHT!

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AthleticsFootball Besuretobeinyourseatsatleast30minutesbeforegametimetoseetheTigerBand’spregameperformanceandwatchourTigersrundownthehillastheytakepartinthemostexciting25secondsincollegefootball!TheTigerBandwillplaythenationalanthem,ouralmamaterandTigerRagin preparation for the Tigers to run down the hill when the cannon is fired. Once the cannon is fired, balloons will be released and the team will rush down the hill on to the playing field.

When the Clemson team gathers to run down the hill theplayersrubHoward’sRock.TherockismountedonapedestalatthetopofthehillandwasgiventoCoachFrankHowardbyafriend(S.C.Jones‘19)whopickeditupinDeathValley,Calif.TherockwasfirstplacedonthepedestalatthetopofthehillonSept.24,1966,agameClemsonwon40–35overVirginia.Theteamstartedrubbingtherockbeforethefirstgamein1967,a23–6winoverWakeForestonSept.23,1967.FrankHowardisfamouslynotedassaying“Ifyou’renotgoingtogive110percent,keepyourfilthy

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handsoffmyrock!”FeelfreetowalkthroughPoePlazapriortothegameandrubHoward’sRockinapledgetogive110percent.

Running down the hill is one of the greatest and most exciting traditionsinallofcollegefootball!Whentheteamgetsoffthebusandisstandingontopofthehilltheylockarmsandshowthattheyare one and are only as strong as the teammate beside them. This is a great symbol of unity for the football team. Be sure to get in the stadium early in order to show your support.

Duringkickoffs,placeyourhandintheairexactlyasyoudoattheendofthealmamater,withyourthumbtuckedunderyourhand,andwaveituntiltheballiskicked.Assoonastheballiskickedyell:“FIGHTTIGERS,FIGHTTIGERS,FIGHTFIGHTFIGHT!”Timeitsothatyourfirst“FIGHT”isyelledwhentheballiskicked.

IftheTigersareonoffensewatchforTigerfirstdowns.Afterthefirstdownisgainedyou’llheartheTigerBandplayatune,makeafirstdownsignwithyourarm,pointitinthedirectiontheoffenseisdrivingandyell,“GO!”

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Once the Tigers score, after Tiger Rag has been played, the mascot will do pushups in the Southeast corner of the field directly in front of the student section. Count the number of pushups by yelling the number and pointing towards the Tiger.

When the Tigers are attempting a field goal place both hands straight up in the air to encourage our kickertomakethefieldgoal.

When the opponent has the ball and the Tigers are ondefenseMAKELOUDNOISES!Makesureyouaresoloudthattheotherteamcan’thearthemselves.The Tiger Band will assist you in getting behind the defense by playing “Rage Defense”. When you hear thissongputyourrightarmintheairandmoveitbackandforthwiththemusic.Attheendofthreehandmotionsbackandforthmakeafistandyell“DEFENSE!”

As a member of the student section you are responsible for getting the rest of the crowd involved. Here aresomeideasforyoutochantbackandforthwiththeNorthstands:CLEMSON/TIGERS,LET’SGO/TIGERS,ORANGE/WHITE.

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One of Clemson’s traditions is to spell C-L-E-M-S-O-N around Death Valley. Sections A and B in the studentsectionbeginitbyyelling“C!”,thenthehillwillyell“L!”.Thiswillbeginthecheeraroundthestadium and repeat it as it comes around to your section.

Attheendofthegameitistraditiontogatheratthepawatthe50yardlinetocelebrateourwinwithourteamandfans.Pleasewaituntilthevisitingteamhasclearedthefieldandtheofficialsallowyoutoenter.

As with all Clemson sporting events, remember to stay and sing the alma mater with your fellow students and alumni after the game.

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baSketball When the starting lineups are announced cheer on your Tiger starters. When the other team’s lineupisannouncedyell“Tigerbait!”aftereachnameisread.

WhentheTigersareonoffensehelptheteambycountingdowntheshotclockwhenitgetsbelow 10seconds.

When the Tigers shoot a three point shot put your hands in the air until the ball goes in.

When the Tigers are shooting free throws clap when the ball bounces to the player then put your hands in theair.Whentheplayermakesthefreethrowbringyourhandsdownandmakea“SWOOSH”noise.

WhentheTigersareondefenseBELOUD!GetlouderandencouragetherestofLittlejohnColiseumtojoinyouwhentheopponent’sshotclockisunder10seconds.

Just as we spell C-L-E-M-S-O-N around Death Valley, we also spell it around LittlejohnColiseum.Thebandwillyell“C!”anditwillbespelledcounter-clockwisearoundthecoliseum.

UsethecheersyoulearnedduringfootballseasontochantbackandforthwiththeotherstudentsectionwithcheerssuchasCLEMSON/TIGERS.

Be sure to stay after the game to sing the Clemson Alma Mater.

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baSeball WhentheTigersareonthefieldandourpitcherhastwostrikesagainsttheopposingbatterslowlyclapandbuildyourclapuntiltheballispitched.Whentherearetwostrikesagainsttheopposingbatter and two outs in the inning stand up and cheer along with clapping.

When the Tigers come to bat in the bottom of each inning cheer for the coachashemakeshiswaytothethirdbasecoach’sbox.

InthemiddleofthefourthinninglookforCentralSpiritastheytossout candy to the crowd during the Central Spirit Candy Toss.

Join in or start a cadence count after the Tigers score each of their runs.

JoinDannyCannoninsinging“TakeMeOuttotheBallgame”duringthe seventh inning stretch and when the song is over say, “Hey Tigers, let’sscoresomeruns!”

WhentheCheapSeatsinrightfieldplaythetrumpetsay“Charge!”

Be sure to stay after the game to sing the Clemson Alma Mater.

ACC Champions 1954, 1958, 1959, 1967, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2006.

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Volleyball StandupandcheerasTigerRagisplayedwhiletheTigersmaketheir way onto the court and in between games.

AftertheTigersscoreapoint,thePAannouncerwillsay“PointTigers!”towhichthestudentsimmediatelyecho“PointTigers!”

WhentheTigersblockapoint,bringbotharmsfromdownbyyoursidestooveryourheadandbackdownagainwhileyelling“REEEEEJECTED.”Timethechantsothat“JECTED”issaidwhenyourarmshavecomebackdown.

When the Tigers are one point away from winningagame(matchesarethebestoffivegames)standupandcheeruntil the Tigers have scored the game clinching point.

ACC Champions 1997, 2007.

SoCCer OneofakindClemsonscarveswillbedistributedatgamesthroughout the season.

AtanypointduringthegamefeelfreetostartchantingCLEMSON/TIGERSbackandforthbetweenthehomeandawaystands.

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The Clemson soccer teams play their home games at Historic Riggs Field.RiggsFieldhashostedseveralsportsincludingfootballandbaseballsinceitwasoriginallydedicatedinOctober1915.

Men’s NCAA Champions 1984, 1987. Men’s ACC Champions 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982(t), 1985, 1998, 2001.

indoor/outdoor traCk and Field Duringmanyeventslikethepolevaultandjumps,fanswillstartwithaslowclapbeforetheathleteperforms that becomes increasingly faster as the athlete runs closer to thejumping/vaultingpoint.

Forrunningevents,ameetofficialwillringabellsignalingthefinallapof the event. At this point cheer on the Tigers even louder as they finish the race.

Men’s ACC Team Indoor Champions 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Men’s ACC Team Outdoor Champions 1980, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004. Women’s ACC Team Indoor Champions 1992, 2010, 2011. Women’s Team Outdoor Champions 1991, 1999, 2010, 2011.

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CroSS Country Men’s ACC Team Champions 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988. Women’s ACC Team Champions 1986.

Swimming and diVing Men’s ACC Team Champions 1986. Women’s ACC Team Champions 1987, 1988, 1989, 1997.

golF NCAA Team Champions 2003. ACC Team Champions 1982, 1987, 1988, 1990(t), 1997, 1998, 2000,

2003, 2004.

tenniS Men’s ACC Champions 1969, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1997. Women’s

ACC Champions 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2004, 2008.

Rowing Theraceboatslaunchfromthedocksabout30minutesbeforethecompetitionbegins.EverytimeaClemsonraceboatleavesthedocksallfansperformtheClemson Cadence Count.

ACC Team Champions 2009.

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EventsFirSt Friday Before the first home football game every year Clemson students, faculty and community members come together to celebrate the first game of theseason.TheFirstFridayParadeincludesfloats,guests of honor, the Tiger Band, cheerleaders, rally cats, mascots and much more. The parade concludes withapeprallyonRiggsField.

tigerama Tigerama is a student led pep rally occurringtheFridaynightbeforeClemson’sHomecomingeveryyear.ItishostedbyBlueKeyHonorSociety.Tigeramafeaturesskits,videosandpresentationsbystudentorganizations,theTigerBand,theRallyCatsandcheerleadersaswellasthecrowningofMissHomecoming.TigeramahasbeenhostedonClemson’scampusforover50yearsandis a great way to get into the Clemson spirit before the Homecoming football game.

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HomeComing Clemson’s Homecoming celebration each year is a chance tocelebrateourpastandlookintothefuture.CampusorganizationsworkallweektocreatefloatsonBowmanFieldthataredisplayedonSaturday before, during and after the football game. The football game festivitiesincludewelcomingformerplayersbacktoDeathValley,reliving past triumphs and reuniting with former classmates.

blaCk Friday: CoCky’S Funeral Come together and celebrate a differenttypeofBlackFridaythedayafterThanksgivingbeforetheClemson vs. South Carolina home football game. The Student Alumni AssociationsponsorsCocky’sFuneralwhereCocky,SouthCarolina’smascot,islaidtorest.ColonelSandyEdgereadsCocky’seulogyandClemson’sROTCwillleadinCocky’sfuneralprocession.

ClemSon VS. SoutH Carolina game ItisatraditionforClemsonROTCtoprotectHoward’sRockbeginning Thursday before the Clemson vs. South Carolina game when held in Death Valley. The cadets keepasteadydrumcadencearoundtherockpriortothegameandcanbeheardacrosstheClemsoncampus.AslongasyouhearthedrumcadencecomingfromDeathValleyyoucanbesuretherockissafe.

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roCk tHe ‘JoHn RockThe‘Johnisourannual“midnightmadness”eventtocelebratethestartofbasketballseason.EveryyearthousandsoffanscometoLittlejohnColiseum to meet the new players, participate in on-court promotions,andgetafirstlookatthemen’sandwomen’sbasketballteams.Inpastyearsfanshavewontelevisions,iPadsandhadmultiplechancestowinacar!Attheconclusion of the event fans have the opportunity to meet the players and coaches up close during the autograph session.Prizes,fireworks,andplayerentertainmentmake

RockThe‘Johnaneventthatyouwon’twanttomiss!

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Traditions$2 bill IthasbeenauniversitytraditiondatingfromSept.24,1977,fortheschool’sfanstospend$2billsonawaygametrips.ThisbeganwhentheschoolplayedGeorgiaTech“forthelasttime”asGeorgiaTechrefusedtotraveltoClemson.Ofthe17gamesplayedbetweenGeorgiaTechandClemsonbetween1953and1977,onlyonce,in1974,didtheGeorgiaTechYellowJacketsrefusetocometoDeathValley.Toshow the Atlanta business community how much money Clemson fans contributed to the local economy,

Tigerfansspentvastquantitiesof$2bills,manyofthemstampedwithTigerPaws.ThiswasthestartofClemson’s$2billtradition.WheneveryouheadtoaClemsonawaygameorbowlgame,exchangeyourcashfor$2billsatalocalbank,stampthemwithTigerPawsandspendthemonyourtrip.WheneveryougetastrangelookbesuretoexplainthatyouarefromClemsonUniversity!

Solid orange Friday TheSolidOrangecampaignwasadoptedin2002asaway to reinvigorate pride and unity in the Clemson family. The central theme is honorable conduct, “Our actions honor our university, its traditions, teams,

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performance, people, and each other.” As a way to promote pride, Clemson students, employees, alumni andfansareencouragedtowearorangeateverysportingeventandonFridays.

orange and PurPle The first colors of Clemson can be seen in an early diploma that is displayed oncampus.Buttoeveryone’ssurprise,they’reredandblue!TheuseoforangeandpurplebeganwhenWalterMerritRiggsformedClemson’sfirstfootballteamin1896.BecauseRiggshadcomefromAlabamaPolytechnicInstitute(laterrenamedAuburn),heborrowedideasfromtheirteamcolors,orangeandpurple,andtheirmascot,theTiger.AlthoughthefootballteamwasknownastheTigersandoftenused“Eat‘EmUp,Tigers”asaslogan,itwasn’tuntil1954thataClemsonstudentdonnedthemascotsuit.In1993theTigerwasjoinedbytheTigerCub.

tiger Paw TheTigerPawistheathleticsymbolbywhichClemsonUniversityismostoftenrecognized.HendersonAdvertisingdevelopedthiscopyrightedlogoin1970.Manyschoolsuseasimilarpaw,butClemson’sisunique—becauseitwastakenfromtheprintofarealtiger,ithasafishhook-shapedwrinkleinthelowerright-handareaofthepawandistiltedattheoneo’clockposition.

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Contributors: Bradford Jones, Katie Queen, Thomas Dees, Brett Mills, Patrick Stephens, Robert Tinsley, Sarah Newburn, Jordan Plumblee and Tim Isgett