CLEMSON — I am often asked, “Where does Memorial Stadium compare to other stadiums I have been to?”
There is not a right or wrong answer here. I have been to plenty of great venues in my 21 years following the Tigers.
I have been to Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla., Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., and Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Those are perhaps the best college football venues I have personally been to, and, obviously, I have been to a whole lot more.
What makes a stadium tough to play in. I think it depends on several things. The atmosphere is obviously important. And I just do not mean in the stadium. I think what is happening outside the stadium is just as important.
Then there are the bands, the parades, the fight songs and traditions going on inside the stadium that make it special as well. Of course, the most important part, the fans.
The fans have to be into the game, at least an hour or two before kickoff, during the game and then after the game.
Doak Campbell has the Cowgirls, the Turf Graveyard, Renegade and Chief Osceola. The tradition of Chief Osceola throwing the burning spear into the ground prior to kickoff is one of the most unique traditions in college football.
I am normally not a fan of loud music pumped into the stadium sound system with manufactured smoke, as a team runs into a stadium. However, I have to give Virginia Tech credit, “Enter Sandman” really gets that place hopping and you can feel the stadium move when the Hokies come onto the field. Lane Stadium is a very underrated atmosphere and a hard place for a visiting team to win.
Jordan-Hare Stadium has War Eagle, a battle cry that is deeply rooted in Auburn tradition. The “War Eagle” phrase is used by the Auburn family to greet and identify with each other, originating from a legendary eagle sighting during a football game back in 1892. The Eagle flying around the stadium prior to kickoff is unique to Auburn and makes it standout.
I have only been to Sanford Stadium once, but it is easy to understand why it is so hard for Clemson or anyone else to win there. There is Dawg Walk, Calling the Dawgs cheer and “Glory, Glory” the school fight song which is played by the Redcoat Band. Then throw in the Chapel Bell, which is rung after every Georgia victory, a tradition that signifies a celebration that can be heard throughout Athens. Of course, there is Uga as well, America’s favorite dog, who is treated like a king in Athens.
Kyle Field is loud, one the loudest in college football. It has the 12th Man, Midnight Yell and the Aggie War Hymn. There are the Senior Boots and the Aggie Rings that standout, as well. The most unique thing is how the upper deck sways when the Aggie fans are singing or participating in one of their Midnight Yells or the Aggie War Hymn.
Notre Dame Stadium was a bucket list item for me, and it did not disappoint. Notre Dame Stadium is college football, as some of the greatest teams and players have played in that stadium throughout the years. There is “Touchdown Jesus” overlooking the stadium, the Golden Dome, Victory March and the alma mater. All of these things, as well as the tailgating, are all a part of the Notre Dame experience.
Royal Texas Memorial, which is over 100 years old, is one of the coolest atmospheres I have personally experienced. Bevo, the mascot, is larger than I imagined. The firing of Smokey the Cannon after every score took some getting used to and the celebration of “Bevo Boulevard” before the game was interesting for sure. The stadium itself is a memorial to Texans who served in World War I, with a statue representing democracy at the north end. The Mariachi Music performed during commercial breaks and in between quarters was also unique and a pleasant surprise.
As one can see, Clemson compares to all of these stadiums in some form or another. Memorial Stadium’s nickname is “Death Valley” a moniker given to it by former Presbyterian head coach Lonnie McMillan prior to his team playing at Clemson in 1945. The tradition of Howard’s Rock and Running down the Hill is unique to Clemson. There is the playing of “Tiger Rag” by Tiger Band throughout the game and after every score. There is the Clemson cannon being fired when the Tigers run down the hill and after every touchdown, and of course, the Cadence Count, born from the days when Clemson was an all-male military college.
My answer to the question at the very top of this column is simple. Clemson’s Memorial Stadium compares very well.