My Clemson Pre Game Pics

[chakka3421]

My spouse surprised me with tickets and we met and stayed with family friends down at Clemson. Just got home so I'll post some pics. We tailgated and then started walking up to stadium for the pre game show. Clemson has a very nice campus and everyone I met was very friendly and welcoming especially strangers even when they recognized I was wearing SU Orange proudly I may add.

Clemson puts SU to shame when it comes to tailgating. Every open nook and cranny of campus lawns & parking lots were filled with tailgaters...I could have taken hundreds but here's a few.

Even employee only parking lots were full - found out everyone pays for parking SU is missing out on some serious revenue opportunities.

I think you get the picture - the day was perfect for a football game and everyone was just happy enjoying the day. Now we finally get to the stadium and its open to the public so anyone can see and hear the game even without a ticket and yes tailgating goes on right next to stadium. Not allowed at SU if I'm not mistaken.

Ok to the right is the entrance where the famous rock is placed.

If you ever get a chance to go to Death Valley - do it! I'm going back in 2 years - it was a blast! More to follow can only upload 4 pics at a time.

 

[chakka3421]

4 more before getting into stadium. A view up close of the entrance.

A quick view to the right under the entrance - more tailgating everywhere.

And now the famous Howard's rock 20 feet beyond gate at entrance.

And a close up of the famous rock.

More to follow.

 

[chakka3421]

So after a little while we entered through the gate. No wand check. Serious security breach of protocol - an accident waiting to happen about the only thing (except the game) that really bothered me.

A view straight ahead and surprisingly way down below was actually the visitors section where most of the SU people with connections and money sit.

To my left

To my right

And my seats way up to the left again near the girl in pink upper left corner of pic

Since we were near visitors SU section I felt comfortable going down to take better pre game picks. Didn't see anyone I really knew but my Clemson friends said it was a fairly decent showing of SU fans compared to some other ACC fan bases. More to follow.

 

[chakka3421]

Got up fairly close so here's what it looks like at almost field level looking back at Howard's rock & entrance

And our team warming up (yes those are purple balloons)

And Clemson team doing something weird

And for SUTomcat a close up best I could get shot of the band (tried to count the Tubas maybe 12?).

More to follow.

 

[chakka3421]

So now for the good stuff. It was military appreciation day and a purple out - ha even Clemson fans don't listen many were still wearing orange! Back up to my seats now and here we go a fly over... For you military buffs, I think these are A10s right?

And one making a turn

Ok now for the Clemson Tiger mascot hang gliding in

Ready to make a landing

More to follow...

 

[chakka3421]

So some more hang gliding - helps to get fans in seats before kickoff - SU needs to get very creative with our Dome redo. It's a lot of other entertainment going on besides the game. All were military paratroopers.

And coming in for a landing

And I tried to get a pic showing how high the were coming in at (my finger got in way my worst pic but shows good perspective)

And so the American flag landing last

A just a little bit more just before kickoff...

 

[chakka3421]

So my final pics just before kickoff, our team runs out

Their team runs down after touching the rock

Balloons are released - hope they were biodegradable

And finally the coin toss...there you have it...and we know the rest of the story...

and that's it. With the Dome redo, I certainly hope SU can learn from this to expand our tailgating and do our own pregame pageantry that is unique and different. One can only hope.

I hope and pray both ED & BE are good to go on Saturday! Looking forward to it! See you all there - Go Orange!

 

[cuse309]

So even an elite program with the best facilities still utilizes plain aluminum benches with no back support? I wonder how their locker rooms look?

 

[Eric15]

So my final pics just before kickoff, our team runs out
View attachment 81133

Their team runs down after touching the rock
View attachment 81134

Balloons are released - hope they were biodegradable
View attachment 81135

And finally the coin toss...there you have it...and we know the rest of the story...
View attachment 81136

and that's it. With the Dome redo, I certainly hope SU can learn from this to expand our tailgating and do our own pregame pageantry that is unique and different. One can only hope.

I hope and pray both ED & BE are good to go on Saturday! Looking forward to it! See you all there - Go Orange!

These are great -- thank you for sharing. Few things in life bring me more joy than visiting a new college football venue for the first time.

 

[AirForceOrange]

So even an elite program with the best facilities still utilizes plain aluminum benches with no back support? I wonder how their locker rooms look?

Seating at Doak Campbell, FSU, are metal bench seating as well.

 

[chakka3421]

Almost forgot this one.

They say football is a religion in the South (zoom in on trunk) well here you have it! If you get a chance to go the Clemson game in 2 years just do it. Most Clemson fans made us feel welcome. Last pic!

 

[CusefanATL]

So even an elite program with the best facilities still utilizes plain aluminum benches with no back support? I wonder how their locker rooms look?

Clemson wasn't considered elite as little as probably 5 years ago.