12 Things You Didn’t Know About Clemson University

A big-little town overflowing with tradition, Clemson really is one special place in South Carolina. If you’ve never visited the friendly community of dedicated tiger fans, you’re really missing out on something no less than extraordinary.

An odd amount of orange on Fridays, a tilted tiger paw and a surprisingly delicious game day lunch at an old gas station are all traditions near and dear to the football-frenzied Clemson clan.

Here are 12 things you probably didn’t know about Clemson University:

1. The cheerleaders wear a ‘tiger rag’ on their left wrist, and it must be folded and tied to display the letters ‘IPTAY’.

2. Every game day they wear a tiger paw on their left cheek turned to one-o’clock; years ago the football games were played at this time.

3. Every time Clemson gets a road win against a top 25 team they add a tombstone to the ‘grave yard’ in front of the indoor football practice facility. (there are currently over 75 tombs stones in the grave yard)

4. The ESSO Club, one of Clemson’s most famous game day restaurants used to be a gas station.

5. A new tradition began when Clemson beat Notre Dame in 2015; between the 3rd and 4th quarter the fans turn on their cell phones to light up Death Valley Stadium.

6. The official name of Clemson’s football stadium is Memorial Stadium, but is more commonly referred to as Death Valley.

7. Every Friday is solid orange Friday. You MUST wear orange.

Ready for work! #SolidOrangeFriday #BeatLouisville #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/at1dzzUg7O

— Jim Bross (@JimBrossJr) September 30, 2016

8. Win or lose, the Clemson fans rush the field to meet on the iconic paw and join together in the Alma Mater.

Clemson storms the field after every home game. If you don’t like it, then beat them

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 15, 2016

9. Clemson has its own resident DJ, who keeps the fans hype on game day.

10. The Hill was named one of the ’25 most exciting seconds in college football’. (When the team enters the stadium on game day, they run down The Hill and rub Howard’s Rock to give 110% before they play the game).

11. It is tradition that you must not read the words at the base of the statue in front of Tillman Hall until you graduate.

12. There is a new film on Clemson University Spirit Squad coming soon!

Watch the trailer: Clemson University Spirit Squads rally their fans on game day in the new film, It’s Game Day: Clemson!

RELATED:

Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum is a Big Win!
Roll Call: Meet the Clemson Tigers!
On the Sidelines with the University of Tennessee