Clemson University has been ranked as one of the most school spirited universities in the country. This school spirit is routed almost completely in the campus organization, Central Spirit. It is a welcoming organization that positively impacts everyone’s college experience at Clemson.
Central Spirit’s mission is to provide an energetic and passionate fan base for all D1 athletic events. They paint their bodies for football games, create new cheers for soccer games and even celebrate victories on the tennis court.
Members of Central Spirit paint windows of downtown stores and restaurants each week prior to game days and they paint the library for rivalry and championship games.
They organize events to uphold the traditions of Clemson University such as organizing the First Friday Parade, Spirit Week, waving flags during football and baseball games and setting up balloons for the football games. The best 25 seconds in college football would not be the same without the members of this organization.
“My favorite part about being in Central Spirit is getting to be a part of Clemson’s amazing traditions with some of my favorite members of the Clemson Family. They make getting to the stadium at 8 a.m. (for a noon game) to do balloons for the best 25 seconds in college football worth it” said Kaleigh Sandness, a junior Sports Communication major.
Club members not only support the teams at home, but they also follow them to away games, bringing Clemson Orange everywhere they go. They send the teams off when they leave for away games, or trail behind them into new cities or states. They have also gone on many road trips as an entire organization to support the Clemson Tigers, including to Florida State and the University of Miami football games and to Louisville for a weekend of baseball.
When they aren’t cheering on their classmates, they are playing in their own league themselves. Central Spirit members participate in intramural sports including flag football, basketball, soccer, and softball. This is an opportunity for club members to take a break from cheering and compete on their own fields as a team of their own. Whether they are cheering or playing, Central Spirit members leave their mark on Clemson athletics.
“Being a member of Central Spirit has given me some of my greatest friends and greatest memories. It has allowed me to do things I never thought I would, like spend a game on the field, go to the national championship, or become a student leader and plan events for all of campus. I’m so thankful for this part of my Clemson journey.” said Kaleigh Sandness.
The organization exemplifies the spirit of the Clemson Family with the love and support they give to the athletic programs and to the University. Interested students are encouraged to come to a sporting event and just jump right in even if they are unsure of their interest in long-term membership.
For questions contact organization president, Peter Rowan at [email protected].