CLEMSON – For over eight decades, Clemson fans could not assure a win or a loss at Memorial Stadium, but they could guarantee a chance to mingle, cheer, or commiserate with their favorite players and coaches by “Gathering at the Paw” directly after each home game.

That tradition faced new challenges this offseason when the ACC banned any field or court storming, threatening steep fines for any violations. To comply with this mandate, the Tigers have delayed fan access until the visiting team has a chance to leave the field and the Tiger Band plays the Alma Mater. 

While the change protects Clemson from potential million-dollar penalties across seven home games, head coach Dabo Swinney believes it can still be improved.

“I wish we wouldn’t play the Alma Mater until we got the fans out there,” Swinney said. “I miss hugging up on random people, students. I understand it, making sure that we get the opponents off the field and what they’re trying to do and I think that’s important. So we’re still kind of working it out.”

Swinney believes the tradition can continue without losing its spirit and purpose.

“I think eventually we’ll find the right rhythm to where we can still be Clemson,” he said. “(It’s) one of the things that’s made Clemson unique and special for a long time.”

Junior defensive lineman Will Heldt, who spent two years at Purdue before joining the Tigers this offseason, has quickly come to enjoy postgame fan interactions.

 “I think it’s really special, it was really fun to do that,” the Carmel, Ind., native said. “I think it’s a lot more fun coming off a win but I think that’s a pretty cool tradition and it’s always fun to interact with the fans.”

Senior running back Adam Randall has experienced 24 Gatherings at the Paw in his career at Clemson, with 22 coming before the new regulations. As a veteran, Randall is relieved that he no longer needs to protect his helmet from getting snatched by an excited fan, (though he says he would do the same,) but is excited that the public still gets to play a role in the tradition.

“I’m just really excited that they still get to come out there because that’s a big tradition and I don’t want that to stop,” Randall said. “I do like the fact that we have the opportunity to have a moment with the team, but then when the fans come out there, that’s what really makes it fun so, I wouldn’t stop having them come out there.”

The tradition of Gathering at the Paw started long before Heldt, Randall, or even Swinney arrived at Clemson. In 1942, coach Frank Howard encouraged fans to meet on the newly-opened field, now bearing his name, following each win or loss. In 2003, the practice was officially given a name, and has remained a staple of each Clemson football game for two decades.

While many fans were disturbed with the change, quarterback Cade Klubnik voiced his support for the delay at ACC Kickoff in July.

“I will say I think it’s great that there’s going to be a little bit of a delay because I’ve never gotten to shake the opponent’s quarterback’s hand after a home game,” Klubnik said. “I didn’t get to say hi to Sam Hartman or Drake Maye at home or some of these guys. So to be able to do that will be awesome. To be able to enjoy the other team for a few minutes and then let’s go.”

Klubnik will have his next chance to shake an opposing quarterback’s hand, and Clemson fans will have their next chance to descend to Frank Howard field Saturday, after the Tigers host the Syracuse Orange for the third home game of the season. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN.