Clemson University is deeply rooted in spirit, pride, togetherness and innovation — all themes reflected in our ever-cherished traditions.
These traditions begin early in the academic year, with one of the most exciting events of the year scheduled for the Friday before the first football game: the First Friday Parade. Students, alumni, faculty and fans gather together on Friday afternoon before the season’s first game. Clemson University President Jim Clements, the Tiger mascots, clubs and organizations all join together to celebrate the coming season with the community.
On the remaining Fridays during the school year, Clemson students, faculty, staff and alumni wear Clemson orange to celebrate Solid Orange Fridays as a show of unity and pride. While walking around campus, students can expect to be surrounded by orange crowds of fellow spirited students.
Alumni, fans and students connect in pride as alumni return home to celebrate Homecoming traditions dating back to 1914. Student organizations gather on Bowman Field at all hours during the week before the game to create Homecoming displays and construct a house for Habitat for Humanity. Students then gather at Tigerama, Clemson’s student-led pep rally, the Friday before the Homecoming game, to watch skits, fireworks, musical performances and the crowning of Miss Homecoming.
On its own, Clemson’s campus holds many cherished traditions within the grounds that are walked each day. The sidewalks that connect campus are engraved with the names of over 53,000 alumni. This tradition began in the 1950s when graduating seniors imprinted their names on newly built sidewalks on campus that they raised money to build. This act instilled their legacy on campus, as well as the thousands who have continued this tradition in the years following.
Another path that paves the way for Clemson tradition is Lover’s Lane. This lane can be found in President’s Park and is many Clemson couples’ favorite tradition. Legend states that couples who walk hand-in-hand down Lover’s Lane will marry.
Clemson traditions don’t only affect those on campus, however. Clemson’s $2 bill tradition spans across the nation as Clemson fans visit other cities to see the Tigers play. This tradition began in 1977 when Georgia Tech decided to stop playing football against Clemson. Students and alumni stamped $2 bills with Tiger Paws and used them across Atlanta to show the economic impact of Tiger fans at athletic events. Clemson fans still carry out this tradition today, stamping $2 bills with Tiger Paws and spreading Tiger spirit across the country.
Wearing your Clemson ring is a great honor that upper-level students and graduates have taken pride in since 1896. Once students reach 90 credit hours of completed coursework toward their major, they are eligible for a ring. To receive this ring, students take part in the Clemson Ring Ceremony, where they learn the history and connections that the ring holds.
Students wear the ring facing towards themselves while they’re still in school, and a Clemson alum traditionally flips the ring to face away from them once they graduate.
Clemson is home to many other cherished traditions, such as Howard’s Rock, the ‘Tiger Rag’ and Founder’s Day, that help define its unique spirit. During their four years at Clemson, students not only participate in these traditions but also make them their own, creating lasting memories while honoring the past and shaping new traditions for the future.
