Clemson Family,
It’s always great to be a Tiger, but it’s been REALLY great the last few weeks. Over the past 10 days, our athletic teams are a combined 10-1.
Football has put together a pair of gritty, hard-fought wins each of the last two Saturdays and has moved to 5-2 on the year, 4-1 in the ACC. This week, we celebrate homecoming and look forward to welcoming Syracuse to Death Valley for the first time.
FALL SPORTS UPDATE
Women’s soccer is off to one of the best starts in school history as they’re now 11-2-2 overall and 4-2-1 in ACC play. The 11 overall wins is the most since 2006 and, with only three regular season games remaining, the team is in great position to advance to the postseason.
Men’s soccer has played as tough a schedule as anyone in the nation and has won three of their last four ACC matches (the only loss a double-overtime heartbreaker at North Carolina). Coach Mike Noonan’s team beat No. 6 Virginia last Friday at Riggs Field, and have three upcoming home dates in four regular season matches left before the ACC Tournament.
Jolene Jordan Hoover’s volleyball squad has a 14-5 overall record and won three straight matches before dropping a tough one Sunday to Pitt. They hit the road for a pair of conference matches next week before hosting three straight the following week.
Also last weekend, our men’s cross country team finished first among 10 teams at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, and will take that confidence into the ACC Championships in two weeks.
FACILITIES UPDATE(Click here for a recap of a media availability discussing facilities)
Off the fields and courts, recently we had a chance to update the Board of Trustees about several ongoing projects. The baseball player facility at Doug Kingsmore Stadium is progressing well (you can see an update HERE). We’ll begin construction on the WestZone oculus, which will include a pedestrian bridge spanning the north to south stands to ease congestion, as soon as the football season concludes. Upgrades to the suites and club levels on both the north and south sides also will commence during the offseason.
We’ve selected both contractors and architect for the rebuilding of Littlejohn Coliseum, and that project continues to move forward at a rapid pace and we’re set to begin in May. The rebuild should take a little over 12 months to complete, and we’ll send information out soon on tickets for the men’s 2015-16 season to be played at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville.
Another project we’ll be advancing soon is a new football operations center located near the indoor practice field. Up next will be a renovation of Vickery Hall and upgrades to the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center. While its still in an early stage of planning, we’re excited about the progress already made and the future of all our facilities.
THE CLEMSON EXPERIENCE
A common topic we hear about during football season is traffic. While bringing 81,500 friends into a city of 14,000 is always going to provide unique challenges, we’re working with campus experts and others on a comprehensive traffic study. The group observed the Louisville game and will again be on site for the South Carolina game. We’ll share their conclusions and suggestions when we get them.
We’ve made it a priority to continue to make the Clemson Gameday Experience the best in the country. The Solid Orange Fan Advisory Board brought forth some great ideas, and we’ve already implemented a few. We’ve also solicited thoughts and opinions through email at fanfeedback@clemson.edu, and we’ve received several good ideas through that medium as well.
On the topic of atmosphere and experience, I wanted to share a note I received last week from a Louisville fan. I’ll let her letter speak for itself, but it’s always great hearing about the positive experience a visiting fan has at Memorial Stadium. Thank you for continuing to make Death Valley a difficult place for opposing teams and a hospitable place for opposing fans.
Myself and five other UL Cardinal fans hit the road……. destination…… Clemson University!!! We were looking forward to the Clemson vs. UL football game. We were looking forward to the game, seeing the Clemson campus and the area. AND it was not a disappointment! The weather was great, the area and campus was beautiful, and the game was down to the last second exciting!!!! …
What we didn’t count on….…… was the Clemson fans! As we were on our way home discussing the game and our time at Clemson…. the one common theme that we all talked about was that every Clemson fan we encountered was so gracious, hospitable and friendly!!! And it wasn’t just our opinion as a group!!! Almost everyone we spoke with that attended the game from Louisville had similar comments and feelings.
I even heard fans on Louisville sports talk radio shows that were echoing the same sentiments.
CLEMSON FANS WERE AWESOME!!! Every Clemson fan we spoke with thanked us for coming, had much respect for the effort of the UL football team, asked us if we had a good time, and asked us to come back again. There was no trash talk, no razzing, or comments against the opponents. I never heard one negative comment!
What a testament to Clemson University and their fans! They were all so kind and gracious!
I hope somehow you can convey a thank you to Clemson and their fans for their hospitality. I know any Louisville fan that attended will hope to come back again someday! Thank You and much respect to the University and the Clemson fans!!!!
Sincerely,(Name Withheld)UL Cardinal Fan
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
Next Monday begins my four-year term on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this inaugural group. With the excitement of the 2014 football season thus far, I know our work will be difficult but in speaking with other committee members we’re all looking forward to the challenge.
Go Tigers!
Dan Radakovich
December 12, 2024
December 11, 2024
December 10, 2024
