Clemson Football Team Reunions Scheduled for 2009 Season

July 21, 2009

The annual football reunion, recognizing teams on their 50th, 25th and 10th anniversaries, will be held during the weekend of the game against TCU, September 26, 2009, according to Charlie Bussey of The Tiger Letterwinners Association. According to Bussey, the 1959 team, which defeated TCU in the 1959 Blue Bonnet Bowl, will be honored on its 50th anniversary, while the 1984 team will be honored on its 25th anniversary, and the 1999 team, which played in the 1999 Peach Bowl against Mississippi State University, will be honored on its 10th anniversary. In addition, the 1940 and 1971 teams will be honored during the weekend. “We plan to continue our policy of recognizing teams on their anniversaries,” said Bussey, “and will also include additional teams each year until all teams have been recognized with an official reunion.”

All players, coaches, managers, trainers, etc. of the teams of 1940, 1959, 1971, 1984, and 1999 are invited to participate in reunion activities, according to Bussey, and personal letters have been mailed to all for whom mailing addresses were available. Individuals connected with either of the above teams who have not received a letter concerning details of the reunion should contact Charlie Bussey as soon as possible at 864-656-2979 or at cbussey@clemson.edu.

Reunion festivities will begin on Friday, September 25, at 6:00PM with a reception at the Clemson Ramada Inn, followed by dinner and a short program. On game day, September 26, team members and their families will be guests of The Tiger Letterwinners Association at a tailgating in The Tiger Letterwinners Room (Northeast Atrium of Littlejohn Coliseum) from two hours prior to the game until shortly before kickoff. Team members will be recognized by the stadium crowd as they rub The Rock and walk down The Hill prior to the game. Team members and their guests will then watch the game against TCU from reserved seats located in a special section of the stadium. Transportation will be provided for team members and their families to/from the stadium, departing the Ramada Inn parking lot approximately two hours prior to the game.

“Traditionally, team reunions are among the best attended functions we have”, said Bussey, “and everyone seems to have a great time renewing old friendships, recalling all of our great plays, and just being with so many former Tigers and their families. With so much excitement surrounding the coming season, we anticipate a record turnout at this reunion”.