College football brings a special social aspect to its atmosphere: tailgating.
No matter which school you go to, tailgating is something that every new student should know about before entering college. Especially at Clemson, fans go all in with these festivities, which means students should also understand the excitement.
Tailgating begins as soon as the sun comes up. Whether a game is a noon kickoff or an 8 p.m. start, you should expect Centennial Road, Perimeter Road and Old Greenville Highway to be jam-packed with avid Clemson fans trying to get the party started. This isn’t a worry if you’re on campus, which most freshmen are. However, prepare yourself to experience traffic throughout the day and give yourself plenty of time. Creating a plan for leaving and arriving is always a smart thing to do.
Also, give yourself time to get excited because Memorial Stadium will be loaded with loud, cheering Tiger fans.
Next is food, which is a significant aspect of tailgating. Make sure to have some good food at your tailgate, or if you are bringing food, bringing a lot for other friends and family can help you share some incredible moments with others.
Be prepared for different temperatures throughout the season, as temperatures could be between 70 and 80 degrees but could drop to 50 on a November night. Especially in the heat, stay hydrated, as you don’t want to be the person leaving the game early because you don’t feel well. Plan accordingly for the weather, including bringing sunscreen or wearing an extra orange sweatshirt if the temperature is expected to drop.
On the topic of clothing, some games have different themes. For example, Clemson does a military appreciation game each year, where Tigers are encouraged to wear purple for one game only. This game, deemed “Purple Out,” is one where every fan can be seen wearing a shade of purple in honor of the United States Armed Forces. Make sure you have the attire needed for these games, in addition to the traditional Clemson Orange regalia.
While walking around unknown tents and grills during tailgating can be an interesting strategy, come with a plan. Being around tens of thousands of fans could be hectic, and you should group up if you’re attending with friends. Whether it’s going to different tailgates at various times or meeting people at a specific entrance of the stadium, you’re going to want to have that planned out to avoid pregame stress.
At a University based on tradition, get to know people you may not know. Almost everybody is tailgating for the same reason: to cheer on the Clemson Tigers, and everybody comes with a different story.
Lastly, take in the moment! While tailgating at Clemson, a school that brings around 80,000 fans into Death Valley each game, game days can be taken for granted. If you talk to an alumnus or current senior about it, they will tell you to treasure every moment, and the same goes for tailgating. Get to know the fans and families around where you are, as they will welcome you into the Clemson Family, which the school is famous for.
Clemson faces Louisiana State University in the opening game on Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium, which will be many freshmen’s first time experiencing a Tiger tailgate ahead of the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Whether the game entails meeting new people or eating some great food, it’s an experience you will never forget. Happy tailgating!
