Clemson University is famous for its rich alumni pride and status as one of South Carolina’s most talked-about schools. People who bond over Clemson seem to form an instant connection outside of the school, almost going into their own world. Arriving without prior knowledge of the university’s traditions and lingo can be intimidating. Here’s a guide to help you out when you’re a little confused.
Traditions
If you’re nervous about an exam you’re about to take in Daniel Hall, you can link hands with a few others and chant “Daniel, Daniel, Daniel! Pass this exam I can-iel!” three times. This started when Thomas Green Clemson passed his first accounting exam by doing the same thing and later became the school’s founder.
The Hendrix Center is new, but the namesake goes back far. In 1969, Jimi Hendrix stopped in Clemson for a bite to eat during his U.S.A. tour. Back then, there was only a burger place right beside the highrises. When Jimi stepped in, someone called him out for being a hippie and a Jimi Hendrix wannabe. Jimi was at the height of his drug usage and thought he wasn’t the real Jimi Hendrix either. The manager kicked them out, and it was only after he saw Hendrix perform at Southern Wesleyan University that night that he realized his grave mistake. Clemson bought the burger place and named it the Hendrix Center later as an apology.
Cox Plaza lies to the left of Tillman and serves as a memorial to former Clemson President Walter Cox. There is also a statue of him sitting down on one of the benches. Rumor has it that if three people sit on the other benches and make the same pose that he does, all four will go underground into Cox’s secret lair. They say there’s a Thousand Island Dressing fountain, a hole filled with butterscotch candies and all of the characters from “Danny Phantom” brought to life.
Lingo
BYOG: Bring Your Own Gallon. Some supply the milk and some don’t.
All Lin: This originated back in 2012. It means that you’re betting on Jeremy Lin getting a dunk tonight.
IPTAY: You can’t walk two steps onto campus without seeing IPTAY everywhere. It stands for “I Painted The Astrodome Yellow.” IPTAY is from the 1979 Orange Bowl against Ohio State at the Astrodome. It was down to the wire, 28 to 28 with one minute to go. Clemson had the ball, and quarterback David “Slippery Dave” O’Donaldson ran the ball from the 25 yardline for a touchdown. The ref called a flag and gave the points to Ohio State instead.. The Clemson fans present peed inside the stadium in protest. The stunt resulted in three deaths and five divorces.
Donut Hills: This isn’t a thing. Whoever said it probably isn’t from around here.