Clemson Corps and ROTC Departments to Recognize Military Personnel at the Clemson-Texas A&M Football Game

July 19, 2005

The Clemson – Texas A&M football game at 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 3, 2005 in Memorial Stadium has been designated as Military Appreciation Day. The Clemson Corps, the Clemson University Army and Air Force ROTC Departments, along with local, state and national merchandisers want to create a “Sea Of Orange” at the first game this year as we recognize our military personnel.

Clemson fans are encouraged to purchased the attached $11.95 t-shirt at officially licensed stores who sell Clemson merchandise, on-line or via phone orders. (See list of local merchants) A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go towards the Clemson University Air Force and Army ROTC programs.

Local Clemson merchant John Earle of Tiger Town Graphics thought of the idea to help bring more awareness to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces. “I talked to Coach Ibrahim (Tiger Sports Shop and The Athletic Department), David Spearman (Mr. Knickerbockers), Leonard Keller (Judge Keller’s) Tina Chalfant (University Bookstore), Rob Heller (Student Book Store) and Kathy Sapp (clemsontigers.com) and we have all agreed to sell the shirt and donate a portion of the proceeds to the two military departments on campus” said Mr. Earle.

Retired Colonel Danny Rhodes, Chairman of the Clemson Corps when approached of the idea said, “It is great to see the Clemson community come together and not only support our men and women oversees but to also help raise money for those Clemson students in our Air Force and Army ROTC programs”.

Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden said “We talk about our game as a war, however, the real war is thousands of miles away from Clemson. Clemson has a rich military heritage along with the citizens of the State of South Carolina and anything that our team or myself can do to help raise the moral of our soldiers, then we are all for joining in the cause”.

Description of the t-shirt design

• Tillman Hall is the first academic building on the Clemson University campus.
• The clock is set for 8:00 o’clock which is the unofficial kickoff time for the game.
• The 8 stars across the top represent those soldiers who attended Clemson University (3) and Texas A&M University (5) who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Clemson – AfghanistanCapt. Daniel G. McCollum Class of 1996 – 1/9/02 – Richland, SC (Marines)

Clemson – IraqCapt. Mark N. Stubenhofer Class of 1996 – 12/7/04 – Springfield, VA (Army)Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Zabierek Class of 2000 – 5/21/04 – Chelmsford, MA (Marines)

Texas A&M – IraqCapt. Ernesto M. Blanco Class of 1998 – 12/28/03 – TX (Army)1st Lt. Doyle M.Hufstedler Class of 2001 – 3/31/04 – Abilene, TX (Army)2nd Lt. Jonathan D. Rozier Class of 2001 – 7/19/03 – Katy, TX (Army)Capt. Sean P. Sims – Class of 1994 – 11/13/04 – El Paso, TX (Army)Capt. Lyle L. Gordon – Class of 1997 – 1/26/05 – Midlothian, TX (Marines)

The shirts will be on sale at the following locations in Clemson –www.clemson.edu/bookstore – Clemson University Bookstore (864) 656-2050www.mrknickerbocker.com – Mr. Knickerbocker’s (864) 654-4204www. clemsonbooks.net – Student Book Store and Supply (864) 654-2005www.tigersports.com – The Athletic Department (864) 654-1719www.tigersports.com – Tiger Sports Shop (864) 654-1719www.tigertowngraphics.com – Tiger Town Graphics (864) 654-1365www.clemsontigers.com – Clemson University Athletic Department Websitephone orders accepted Judge Keller’s Store (864) 654-6446