Today, I wanna share a little something about the Clemson’s Tiger Paw. It was a long time ago, I think it was back in July 1970, that I decided to dive into this.
First, I packed my bags and drove all the way to Clemson. Man, the traffic was a real pain, but it’s all worth it. When I got there, I started asking around. I wanted to know where this whole Tiger Paw thing came from.
Some folks pointed me to the university. So, I went there and started snooping around, trying to find any info I could. I even went to the library. It’s huge, by the way. I spent hours digging through old newspapers and articles. Finally, I found some old articles dated July 21, 1970. Turns out, that was the day Clemson University officially made the Tiger Paw their logo.
The Day of The Tiger Paw
- I read that they had press conferences all over the state. It was a big deal! I could almost feel the excitement from back then. The articles mentioned places like Florence and Charleston.
- I imagined a team traveling around, showing off the new logo. They must have been so proud. It was like a roadshow, but for a logo.
- I found out they called it a “blitz” of press conferences. Sounds intense, right? It wasn’t just a simple announcement.
- I saw some old photos too. The Tiger Paw was everywhere. It felt like the whole state was covered in orange.
- I learned that it became a symbol. You see it on the roads leading to Clemson. It’s like a welcome sign for fans.
After that, I decided to take a walk around the campus. I saw the Tiger Paw everywhere, on flags, shirts, even on the ground. It felt like the whole place was alive with it. I even saw some students painting a giant Tiger Paw on a wall. I joined in, and let me tell you, painting that paw was way harder than it looks!
Then I remembered something about a rock. Coach Frank Howard’s rock, they call it. Apparently, players rub it before they run down the hill into the stadium. So I went to the stadium, and there it was, the famous Death Valley rock. I touched it. It felt… well, like a rock. But knowing the tradition behind it made it feel special. I took some pictures of course, they are not very good but I think it’s fine.
I spent the rest of the day just soaking it all in. I bought a Tiger Paw T-shirt from a local shop. It’s a bit too big for me, but I love it. I even saw a car with a Tiger Paw sticker on it. I gave the driver a thumbs up, and he honked back. It was a good day.
So, that’s my little adventure with the Clemson Tiger Paw. It’s more than just a logo, it’s a symbol of pride and tradition. I’m glad I got to experience it firsthand.
