Traditions

Alma Mater Salute/Rat Caps — Freshmen wore rat caps during Clemson’s military days and for a short while afterward. The hats were waved in the air during every football game until the end of the Homecoming game. If the Tigers lost, however, rat caps had to be worn until the next victory. Today, the tradition is continued by waving the hand in the air (with thumb folded underneath so the fingers appear to be holding a cap) at the end of the singing of the alma mater.

Banging on the Drum — As part of the traditional celebration before the Clemson-Carolina rivalry game, Army ROTC students bang a drum at Death Valley for 24 hours a day beginning the Thursday before the big game on Saturday.

Blood Bowl – Since the 1980s, Clemson and USC have hosted annual blood drives to see which school can donate the most blood. Over the years, a collective total of more than 90,000 pints of blood have been contributed.

Blue Cheese – Clemson Blue Cheese was first cured in the Stumphouse Tunnel in 1941 by a Clemson dairy professor who recognized the tunnel’s perfect conditions for curing blue cheese. In 1958, the curing was moved to the Agricultural Center in Newman Hall. Clemson Blue Cheese is still produced and enjoyed today. 

Clemson Ring — The “C” surrounding a palmetto tree on a black background is one of the most recognizable of all college rings today. Copyrighted so only Clemson alumni and students with more than 90 hours can have the honor of wearing it, the ring contains art elements representing the University’s land-grant and military heritages as well as the motto: “Who shall separate us now?”

Running Down “The Hill” — Dubbed “the most exciting 25 seconds in college football,” running down “The Hill” originally started out of practicality. Before the west stands were built, the football team dressed at Fike Field House and ran from there to the gate and down the hill onto the field. Today, fans hear, “YOUR CLEMSON TIGERS,” a cannon fires, the Tiger Band plays “Tiger Rag,” and thousands of orange-clad fans cheer the moment the Tiger football team runs down the grassy hill and onto the field.

First Friday Parade — Since 1974, the First Friday Parade has been held the Friday afternoon before the first home football game to celebrate the new football season. Student floats move through campus down S.C. 93 and end at the Outdoor Theater for a pep rally.

Founder’s Day — Founder’s Day commemorates the anniversary of Thomas Green Clemson’s death on April 6, 1888, with a prayer service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, S.C., where Thomas Clemson is buried.

Homecoming and Tigerama — The excitement, spirit and enthusiasm of Homecoming celebrations have been a Clemson tradition since 1914. During the week preceding the game, student organizations build Homecoming displays on Bowman Field that will be judged on game day. Every Homecoming Friday night since 1957, Tigerama — one of the nation’s largest student-run pep rallies — has featured the crowning of Miss Homecoming, skits by student organizations and spectacular fireworks.

Howard’s Rock — Howard’s Rock, named for legendary Coach Frank Howard, was brought to Clemson from Death Valley, Calif., by 1919 alumnus S.C. Jones. The rock was first placed on a pedestal at the top of “The Hill” on September 24, 1966. Before a game against Wake Forest on September 23, 1967, Howard told his players that if they would give 110 percent, they could have the privilege of rubbing the rock. The Tigers won that game with a 23-6 victory. The white flint rock still sits at the top of “The Hill,” and Tiger football players rub it for good luck before each home game.

Ice Cream – The ’55 Exchange store on campus features ice cream created and sold by Clemson students. This tradition dates back to the 1920s and was started by what were then the dairy science and animal husbandry departments. In 2006, the Class of 1955 provided funds to renovate part of the Hendrix Center to make the current retail home for Clemson ice cream.

Orange, Purple and the Tiger — The first “colors” of Clemson can be seen in an early diploma displayed on campus. But to everyone’s surprise, they’re red and blue! The orange and purple began when Walter Merritt Riggs formed Clemson’s first football team in 1896. Because Riggs had come from Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (later renamed Auburn), he borrowed ideas from their team colors, orange and purple, and their mascot, the Tiger. Although the football team was known as the Tigers and often used “Eat ‘Em Up, Tigers” as a slogan, it wasn’t until 1954 that a Clemson student donned the mascot suit. In 1993, the Tiger was joined by the Tiger Cub.

Military Heritage — Clemson University has a proud tradition of military excellence. Founded as a military school in 1889, Clemson built its reputation by consistently graduating well-prepared officers. Today, Clemson Army and Air Force ROTC cadets carry on the rich tradition of the historic Corps of Cadets. Clemson’s military spirit is commemorated through sites such as the Clemson Military Heritage Plaza, which overlooks Bowman Field and features an array of ribbons and honors, the footprints of brave service men and inscriptions from a variety of alumni classes.

Senior Sidewalks – A tradition that started in the 1950s, graduating seniors raise money to build sidewalks and engrave their names as a way to imprint their legacy and also donate a class gift to the University. Today, the names of more than 53,000 alumni have been engraved on campus sidewalks. 

Solid Orange – Students, faculty, and staff wear orange every Friday to show their Clemson pride and display the unity of the Clemson Family.

“Tiger Rag” — The Clemson College Band began playing “Tiger Rag” in 1942 after student band director Dean Ross found the sheet music in an Atlanta music store and brought it back to campus for football games. The “Tiger Fanfare” by Dr. Mark Spede was added to the “Tiger Rag” sequence in 2003. All in all, the band has more than 15 ways to play the South’s favorite fight song.

$2 Bills — In 1977, when Georgia Tech decided to stop playing against Clemson, students and alumni stamped two-dollar bills with Tiger Paws to show Atlanta the money Tiger fans spent on athletic events. Today, fans still use $2 paw-stamped bills when attending away games.

Welcome Back Festival — Held the Monday after University housing opens each fall, this street festival along College Avenue in downtown Clemson gives students a taste of the surrounding restaurants and businesses, which offer food samples, merchandise and prizes.