Alondra Pena is one of the many ardent students baring a Clemson tattoo after the team’s victory at the National Championship. Proudly displaying the orange and purple paw on her foot, she is an ideal representation of the student body’s excitement after the 2016 football season.
“My [championship] watching experience was great. I was so anxious, but I knew we were going to win. Our team killed it.” Pena said.
Pena, a junior English major from Skylar, Nebraska, had never been inked before, but made the decision to tribute Clemson almost immediately after the university’s win. She then decided on the paw design when a local parlor, Artistic Ink, began a special pricing offer for paw tattoos in the fervor of Clemson’s triumph. For only 40 dollars, students could get a half-dollar sized Clemson Paw etched in their skin. According to Pena, the small orange and purple paw only took about fifteen minutes to get done.
“I wanted the color because I’m generally just a huge fan of Clemson orange. I love how bright and vibrant it looks on my foot,” said Pena about her tattoo.
Pena wasn’t the only person took advantage of the deal at Artistic Ink.
“A lot of my friends got the paw on their butt cheeks,” Pena said while giggling. She also described the large groups of people at the parlor awaiting their Clemson tattoos.
“Nobody was scared of getting tattooed, everyone was just pretty excited,” Pena said.
Artistic Ink also takes pride in being a part of Clemson history. In a post on the business’ Facebook page, a representative wrote, “I think one third of Clemson University Students have a Tiger Paw on their ass, and we take full credit for it all!!! [sic] Come and get it guys!”
For Pena and many students like her, the fresh ink is a reminder of Clemson and all of the great memories held at the University.
“My favorite football memory was the Notre Dame Game in 2015. I remember going to Game Day in the morning with my best friends then going to the game that night and having the time of our lives watching Clemson win,” Pena said.
The paw is more than a pretty piece of artwork for Pena.
“I’ve always wanted to get something important tatted on my foot, and the paw is my visual reminder to always walk as a Tiger,” she said.
Pena isn’t alone in her pride and devotion to Clemson; her family is full of fans.
“Growing up in Nebraska, my grandpa was a huge Clemson fan and we all wore Clemson shirts every time a game came on and everything. When my family moved to South Carolina, I just knew I was going to go to Clemson,” said Pena.
Upon revealing her tattoo, Pena has received nothing but positive reactions. “Everyone was pumped about it,” she said.