Clemson’s men’s soccer team marched with pride and triumph on Saturday as the crowd roared during their honorary parade to celebrate their 2021 National Championship.
Central Spirit led the parade followed by Tiger Band playing their traditional Tiger Rag with onlookers clapping and chanting loudly to the tune.
Following came the mascots, the Tiger and Tiger Cub, cladding championship t-shirts whilst handing out rally rags which fans began to wave in the air. The street quickly became electric with song and cheer.
While championship wins are nothing new to Clemson, this was many students’ first time witnessing a Clemson national championship celebration. Fortunately for them, the high spirit was felt by all as the team made their way from Sikes Hall to Historic Riggs Field.
“I’ve never seen so much school spirit, so seeing so many people come here for the team after all the games is like wow, oh my god,” Sophomore soccer fan Maddie Lawrence said of her first championship parade. “[The team] definitely deserves it.”
As this is the men’s soccer’s third national championship in school history, the 1984 and 1987 trophies were seen being held by the previous championships’ alumni in the parade.
Each coach and their families sported their own Clemson-themed car before the team was brought out on truck bed with hay bales sporting the 2021 trophy. The trophy was held high by players as they stood and waved to the crowds.
While waiting for the parade, fans were playing soccer, volleyball and Spikeball games of their own. Onlookers of all ages were clad out head to toe in Tiger gear as they roared throughout the entirety of the parade, congregating mostly at the intersection of College Ave and Old Greenville Highway.
IPTAY was also kind enough to hand out complimentary national championship pins and congratulatory cards while Coca Cola dispensed cans of soda on the sidewalks.
Overall, the parade was nothing short of a worthy celebration that the team, fans and community will remember for years to come.
The soccer team will also be recognized during halftime at the men’s basketball game against Boston College.
