Clemson Athletics’ Social Summer promotion continues today, June 5, with Web Wednesday. Each week, a story that encompasses the Clemson experience will be featured on ClemsonTigers.com. This week’s memory comes from James Covington, a 1957 graduate of Clemson, from Altamonte Springs, FL. James explains how Clemson fans had a lasting impact on his son at an away game versus NC State.
In the fall of 1978, I was living in Fayetteville, NC and my son was a senior in high school there. We traveled to Raleigh to see the Tigers take on the Wolfpack, who at the time were undefeated and featured a running back named Brown they were pushing for the Heisman. It was being billed as the game that would decide the ACC Championship. Clemson had about a fifth of the crowd and it was concentrated on the visitor’s side of the field from maybe the 35 yard line to the end zone. It still rates as probably the best game I have seen Clemson play in person. During the game the officials had to warn the Clemson crowd about excessive noise or expect their team to get a delay of game penalty as was possible back then. As the game wound down to a decisive 33-10 Clemson victory, the Clemson crowd sang in unison “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.” I truly believe the enthusiasm shown that day by the Clemson fans was the reason my son chose Clemson and got his degree there a few years later.
Do you have a story you would like to share with us? Fans are encouraged to submit their own experiences by e-mailing promo@clemson.edu. Please be sure to include your name, hometown, phone number and a photo.
April 18, 2024
