Friday August 28, 2009

Friday E-Mail Bag-ALL IN

Friday E-Mail Bag
Editor’s Note: In our Monday blog, I asked readers to send in their thoughts about the increase in attendance at Fan Appreciation Day and their thoughts about “All In.” As we approach year one of Dabo’s tenure, I thought it would be appropriate to publish those e-mails today. Thanks to all those who participated.

Mickey,
At Fan Appreciation Day, I arrived at the stadium at three o’clock sharp. I quickly realized I should have arrived sooner, but had promised my wife I would take her shopping for some Clemson gear first. I also wanted to pick up a football. I had one goal to accomplish on this day. That was to acquire the signature of the man who has inspired me to be a better fan. I have been a casual fan of the Tigers for most of my life. I attended my first game when I was very young, and have never been anything other than a Tiger fan. But, I wasn’t dedicated. My wife and I walked into the stadium and began to look around. Lines stretched off into many directions, and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. Children were running around with their tiger gear (already loaded with signatures) and big smiles on their faces. I asked a few people where the line for Dabo began and was pointed in several different directions. I decided to just walk around for a little bit and take in the experience. I passed by the tables of the offensive players and pointed out to my wife the ones I recognized, and she did her best to be excited for me. I passed by the area in front of the elevators where they had placed CJ and Jacoby. I watched as CJ engaged in conversation with a young girl, signed her shirt, then stood and put that incredibly large CJ smile on to take a photo with her. I glanced and Jacoby and could see and intense look of concentration on his face as he listened to a young man’s questions and then responded to him. I continued on and noticed player after player standing /kneeling for a photo or signing a fan’s memorabilia all while smiling and acting gracious. I finally found the tent that they had Coach Swinney stationed at. I then traced the line back to the end, and decided I would go back to just watch for a few minutes. He engaged many of the fans in conversation and took his time with each one. I never got the sense of it being an assembly line (which kind of sucked once I decided to get in line), and that strengthened my resolved to acquire this man’s signature. I have never actively sought another person’s signature before, but for some reason I was drawn this day to wait in a line with thousands of other people to do just that. Around four o’clock the staff shut down the CJ/Jacoby line and sent hundreds of people away sad/disappointed. Many of them immediately joined the line I was in. A little boy with a huge smile on his face passed by me with a football just like mine, except he had already acquired a signature from Coach Swinney, CJ Spiller, and Kyle Parker. I was slightly jealous. At five minutes to five a voice came over the loud- speaker, announcing that the stadium would be closing in five minutes. I was only thirty or forty people away from getting my chance to meet the coach and acquire what I had come for. Many of the fans behind me who had already been shut down once (the CJ/Jacoby line) began to groan a little. Someone shouted sign faster. Another shouted stop taking pictures. Another yelled please just a little longer. People began joking about where the cut off was going to be and who would be the last to acquire a signature from the coach. At five o’clock the voice came back over the loud-speaker and announced that the stadium was now closing, and thanked everyone for coming. That was little conciliation to the hundreds still waiting in line, and the moaning began to start up again. Then Coach Swinney stood up and faced the crowd. He raised his hand to quiet the crowd and said “I’m not going anywhere.” The line erupted in cheers as Coach Swinney returned to his chair and continued to sign and take photos. I was still several people away from the coach when I could begin to hear his conversations. I was shocked to hear that he wasn’t just going through the motions. After several hours and thousands of signatures he was still engaging the fans. I would have even cut him some slack at this time, but the conversations were genuine and original with every fan. The gentleman in front of me asked the coach if he liked his watch. You could see Coach Swinney process the question and then his face lit up. He said “you’re the watch guy.” The gentleman chuckled and said that he was. Coach Swinney turned to his assistant and said “this is the watch guy.” His assistant said “ I remember that gift. It was one of the first ones he received.” Coach Swinney signed his magazine, stood for a photo, and then it was my turn. I had a long speech prepared in my head, but all of it went out the window. I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. I handed him my football. It was simply another opportunity to be impressed. He took his time. He actually stopped after “Dabo” to comment on another fan’s pants. The pants were covered in tiger paws. I shook his hand again, and thanked him again and walked away. I was now the little kid with a big smile on my face. I had a signature ball. I am “All In”.
Sincerely,
Matt

Hey MP,

From Florida I can say the connection and reconnection with Clemson Football has been Dabo. And I am/was a CTB supporter.

The enthusiasm and spirit and connection Dabo seems to have with Clemson - with us - has been a powerful magnet that has drawn me back in. His approach and accountability and his story have all captivated me and made me cautiously optimistic - AGAIN - but in a very different way than CTB ever did. And I'm not talking about this year - I'm talking about seeing some very positive things in the next 5 years or so . . .

Here's hoping !

AND - - AND - - AND - - -

If Dabo REALLY wants to connect to all of us lifelong fans over the age of 24, then he HAS to bring back the bigger paw on the helmet . . . seriously !

Kyle

Mickey,
First of all, I love reading your blog on tigernet. You always seem to be thinking pretty much what I am thinking. I am a big time Clemson fan, even though I did not go to Clemson. But I consider myself to be a very positive Clemson fan. I feed off of positivity, and ever since Dabo took over, I have been enjoying Clemson football more and more. I cannot remember the last time I was so excited about a football season, and it really comes down to Dabo Swinney for me. I mean don't get me wrong; CJ Spiller is a stud. But Dabo and his super realistic yet optimistic and positive approach to the the Clemson football program is contagious. I took my seven year old son to Fan Appreciation Day, and you could feel a lot of that positivity. Sure, there were some people who got turned away from this line or that line, but it was because so many people have bought in! I talked to a lot of Clemson fans that day; we all agreed that Dabo has really energized this program. My son and I had one of the best days I can remember having at Clemson together, and we were just there to get some signatures and see some athletes up close. Every athlete we encountered was cordial, and friendly, and even Big Jarvis Jenkins gave my little son a fist bump (to see his big ol' fist meet my son's little 'paw' was priceless). You can tell that Dabo's positivity has been passed all around the team. That is one thing I got from that day, and I think a whole lot of other people did, too. I hope you have a blessed day.

Jason

Mickey:

I'm "All In" with Dabo because of the way he is connecting with the Clemson family. I was at Fan Day for my 4th consecutive time. I thought it was the biggest and most upbeat crowd in those 4 years. If there were 15K there this past Sunday then there were 10K-12K last year. It was bigger but not by a tremendous amount. All the players were herded away at 5:00 or shortly thereafter but Dabo was still signing and posing for pictures well past 6:00 pm. He definitely has all the intangibles we're looking for in our head coach; I, like everyone else, just hope it translates into many wins on the field. If it does - Happy Days Are Here Again.

I also had the chance to go into the West End Zone on Monday morning and looked around - what a great facility we have there. Also wandered (by mistake) into the recruiting room before getting discovered and politely led out. That was awesome. My true intention was to get Dabo's autograph as a surprise Christmas gift for my brother in Minnesota, but he was not in his office when I talked with the receptionist and I didn't have time to wait around, as my wife and I needed to head back to Barnwell. Before leaving the area, however, we stopped by Mac's for lunch and took a short, but unsuccessful, excursion around Pendleton looking for Danny's place. I concur fully with Joe Sherman's words about 'Something in Those Hills'. Every chance I get I come back to Clemson and when I do, I hate to leave.

Dale

Mickey - I'll tell you why we are 'all - in', it's simple, you wrote about it after the Wake Forest defeat and I have quoted you to many. What we needed was someone to bring us together and Dabo is doing this. We were divided under coach Bowden. No matter how much we wanted Tommy to be successful, for our sakes, we all had friends ( close Friends ) that were not Bowden supporters, almost from the start of his tenure. Many times I wish I had saved your blog from last October, it was profound and prophetic. We are beginning to heal thanks to a coach that we ( ALL ) can get behind. Thanks.

Bill

Mickey,
Loved the blog post about fan day. I was there and the crowd was bigger but not that much more than last year. The biggest difference was that this year the Dabo line was the same length as the Spiller/Ford line. Last year it was not even close. That says something right there. The other big difference is that the attitude of the fans and even the players and coaches seemed to be much improved. Maybe we’ve all drank the orange kool aid but I for one am “All In”. Dabo’s attitude toward football and the players and life in general are what we, the fans, have needed for years. From the first time I came to a Clemson game 30 years ago it has always been a special place like no other. I remember that even though my father never attended college or lived in the upstate he called going to a Clemson game “going up home” . Dabo gets this idea. He believes in the school and the kids and I hope the Clemson faithful give him the chance to show us what he can do. This could prove to be a tough year or a stellar year. Either way at least we are moving in the right direction.

Go Tigers!
Craig

Mickey,
I am a fan of your show,104.9 and the line up of sports talk. I have been a huge Clemson fan all of my life and some of my best memories of growing up are of my father taking my brother and I to all the home football games. Playing football in the parking lot, eating hot dogs and sliding down the hill during the many blowouts of the Danny Ford era was what it was about on a saturdays during the fall. My wife and I are all in because we both love Clemson football. But, the real reason is the overwhelming sense of pride we experience every game day saturday as thousands of Clemson faithful descend upon the area and tail gate and fellowship together. It reminds me of how well people can really get along and enjoy one common interest, Clemson football. And Mickey, on those Saturdays we toss all differences aside, focus on the game, and leave all the other problems of the world, for just one day. I am ALL IN!
Thanks for the line

Ted

Mickey,
Thanks for the blogs. Keep up the good work. I think your latest blog has hit the nail on the head. Dabo has connected with the administration, the players and the fans. I believe the results on the field will show for it.
Thanks,
Houston

Mickey,

I just got done reading your blog, and I thought it was your best in a while. I think you broke down the reasons well and it's hard to make a counter-argument to what you said. I agree on all fronts. There is no need to publish this unless you want to. I am more interested in your thoughts than I am in other people reading mine.

I was raised as a Clemson fan and my father took me to my first Clemson football game when I was just one month old. The community aspect is one of the things that attracted to me to Clemson football when I was a young boy. I always loved to watch the game, but the tailgating and family vibe got my blood boiling almost as much as a big sack from Brentson Buckner or Anthony Simmons. I loved seeing the parties on the quad, the family tailgates, and everyone getting together and having a good time in the name of Clemson football. It didn't get much better than selling programs to get a ticket to a football game, and that's where my love of Clemson developed.

However, I always thought that Clemson was a divided fanbase under the Hatfield and Bowden eras. Clemson fans are the types of folks that want someone to tell them straight, someone who appreciates their fanaticism, and someone understands that being head football coach is an honored and storied position (Riggs, Cody, Neely, Heisman, Howard, Ford) Bowden never seemed to have those things and Hatfield certainly didn't. They were the type of people that said that football wasn't their number one priority, which is a respectable viewpoint. But fans already know that these people have families and lives in church, community, etc. We just want a leader who seems to hurt as bad as we do when we lose, not someone who waxes poetic and says it doesn't really matter. It matters to us, so it damn well better matter to the man in charge.

My father always speaks about how the attitude around Clemson changed when Charley Pell took over the program, and how the fans were louder, cockier, and we tried to embody the team we saw on the field. It's corny and cliche, but I think that's true. If Dabo can win some games and catch a few lucky breaks early on (which any young coach needs), I could see him bringing this program back to where it was in the late 70s and 80s, not just in terms of success, but in terms of attitude.

Clemson fans are picky and fickle at times, because not only do we want a winner, we also want a coach and a team that embodies toughness and gives us something to rally aroud. Ford was one of us, because he reminded us of the working man that Clemson men are supposed to embody. Dabo does the same thing. If he doesn't win, he'll be gone sooner or later. But if he wins, I could see this program getting back to where it belongs (ACC Championships, top-10 finishes, and the occasional shot a National Championship).

I guess the point is that when Bowden was coach, I was pulling for Clemson, not for Tommy Bowden. He never had my loyalty outside of my loyalty to Clemson, because I never felt like he cared about Clemson more than he cared for Tulane or West Virginia or the other programs he had been associated with. Dabo isn't like that. He comes to the Cajun Cafe and hangs out with the locals, and while he should be coming to Cheap Seats instead, I love the fact that he embraces Clemson and not just his own little world.

Take care buddy, hope all is well back home.

Roy

Hey Mickey,

First of all, be careful what you ask for as I'm sure you will be receiving a large amount of email on this topic. That being said, these are the reasons I am "All In" with Dabo and Clemson. I will ask that if you decide to post this email, please only post the below information and reference me as "Pete" instead of my real name. Thanks

I am "All In" for Clemson Football 2009 and Coach Dabo Swinney for numerous reasons. First of all, I am a life long Clemson fan, graduate, and always will be. My loyalty will always remain, even through the toughest of times. That being said, there is something special about this year, something special about this coach. I think Dabo is an excellent face of the football program. He has a down-home, folksy type of personality that "fits" the Clemson atmosphere and the vast majority of the fan base. With that comes a "the buck stops here" and "it's my responsibility" approach to being the head coach that is very refreshing. I like the idea of being more aggressive in schemes. I love the idea that he's going "All In" in this opportunity and not just trying to survive. All of these are great examples of reasons why I have gone "All In" with this coach and this team.

But the biggest reason I am "All In" with this coach is that he "gets it". This is a hard thing to explain, but this story may help. My friend's child was diagnosed with cancer back in April 2009. The diagnosis came down just days before the Charleston area Clemson meeting. Another friend of ours stood in line for Dabo's autograph and explained the situation to Coach Swinney. Coach was kind enough to sign a "Tiger Rag" that my friend tied around a stuffed tiger and gave it to the parents and the child. On the "Tiger Rag", coach wrote, "Chase, Beat It!, Dabo". The "Beat It" phrase has become our motto is this child's battle against cancer. That was a nice thing for Dabo to do, but probably something that many coaches would have done at a booster meeting. But his actions do not end there. My friend who got the autograph and I have each emailed Coach Swinney since then updating him on Chase's progress. I for one did not expect much when I sent the email as the team was practicing and it was a busy time of year. Within 12 hours, I received an email back that Dabo had his secretary send, but it was obvious the words were his. Coach Swinney has also invited my friend and his son to come to practice whenever they can. It just seems like he truly cares about this family and this child.

I guess that is what sums it up best for me. I feel like Dabo cares!!! Not just about football and winning and keeping a job. He cares about the players, their families and their futures. He cares about fans. He cares about Clemson and everything and everyone that makes Clemson what it is! He doesn't try to be any particular type person, he doesn't try to act like a head coach or CEO. He is who he is and makes no apologies for that. I for one cannot understand how anybody could not pull for this guy. GO TIGERS!!!!!

Mark

Mickey,
"In the end, though, I think number five is the biggest factor. Dabo has connected to Clemson people. The connection is what they have not had in recent years. This is what they have been starving for...."

No what we (or at least me) have been starving for is good, sound, tough fundamental football with the complete support of the university. It is getting a tad old listening to how wonderful the coaches think it is that Clemson people are so supportive. Well DUH, no kidding!!! We have been supportive, we supported Hatfield eventhough he was completely out of his depth as a real HC. We supported Tommy West because he was a good guy and a former Coach Ford Assistant. We supported Tommy Bowden because with him we thought we had a coach that would help us turn the corner. What NONE of those coaches got was support for Clemson University. You have the AARC, the complete lack of football ONLY facilities until the summer of 2005 and the constant funneling of funds to that ridiculous top 20 magazine rating!!! What I would really like to see is the Clemson Administration, including our great Board of Trustee's step up and REALLY show they want to win at football. Because all I see is a bunch of flub and our clown President spouting off unrealistic expectations while shirking the completion of the football facilities that are over two decades behind in completion!!!

Clemson football is not lacking in fan support, never has and probably never will, what we do lack is support from the people who make the key decisions. It sure would be nice to have the same support that schools like, UGA get, UNC get etc etc, you know those schools that take players from us on signing day just after we tell them they aren't good enough for Clemson despite the fact that Clemson is no where near those other schools academically or athletically!!

Steve

Mickey,

The reason for the increase in attendance at Fan Appreciation Day can be attributed to two factors. Change and Dabo. Dabo is here because of change and Dabo has brought excitement to the program. Time will tell if that excitement continues. We know how fair weather fans can be. I was "All In" when TB was here and I'm "All In" with Dabo. That's the way a fan should be. Enjoy the good times and continue to support the team during the bad times. I look forward to seeing how the offensive line performs in the early part of the schedule. This will give us a good view as to how the rest of the season will play out. The defense is going to be good. Coach Steele will make sure of that. The defense has talent and now they know how to be aggressive. I think the excitement will help carry this team and if they can get past GT, and I think they will, a lot of good things will happen this year. I'm not looking past MTSU but come on, that's a win. I'm All In!!

Reverend Optimistic

Mickey,

One thing that could account for the increase in attendance at Fan Appreciation Day, is the students were in town for this years Fan Day, but in years past it has been on the Sunday before students were on campus.

Go Tigers!
Seth

Hey Mick,
This was my first fan appreciation day, and the main reason I went was to take my little 6 year old girl, and to tell you the truth, I maybe wanted to go a little for myself. I like many have always been giddy about the upcoming season and although I usually get disappointed and say I’m not going to do this next year, well there I was. I’ll be the first to admit that Dabo would not have been my first choice. I believe Clemson is a place to where you get a proven head coach and you get him to come. Gary Patterson would’ve been my first choice. Saying that I can honestly say I’m All In, and no one will be pulling for Dabo any harder. I believe that eventually he’ll be the next big thing, so I can see why we got him now, plus getting him a lot cheaper. A proven coach would’ve cost us a lot more, and that wasn’t feasible with TB’s buyout. I think one thing that has everyone excited is that Dabo just gets it. He embraces what Clemson has and is proud to accept what Clemson can give, where Bowden always wanted Clemson to accept what he thought he could give. Usually you give a coach a few years to settle in, but this first year is really important for Dabo to realize that the team needs to perform every week. I never think loosing is ok, but the way we lost in the Bowden era was what was so heart breaching. We often looked UN prepared and lost. If we can can go 9-3, imaging the momentum we could take to recruiting, 8-4, which is what I predict, to some degree the same, but a 7-5 with some ugly losses, and were backing up, people will be saying it’s the same old Clemson. I still have doubts about our o-line, but our QB play couldn’t get any worse, hell if we can just teach our QB the old throw it away play or how to scramble from pressure instead of to pressure we should be fine. Getting back to fan day, that’s exactly why I went, cause I’m a fan and I love it. I went and sat in my seats, drove by my parking spot, and I could just picture my kids, family getting pumped to see the tigers run down the hill. I’m All in and ready to go, hope all is well with you family, and tell Ryan that we still think of him often.
This is totally of subject, but one thing I was wandering was if you thought over the last few years the atmosphere has gone down. When I was little my parents couldn’t afford season tix’s and my dad and me just loved Clemson football, so to be able to get in, he worked for Crowe Security, who used to do the games, and I’d get in with him. Man was the valley rocking back in those days. Here’s a couple of suggestions I have on how we could get those days back. Do you know if Dabo has any input into the pre-game routines?
1. First thing is get Barker off the jumbotron. It’s embarrassing to watch him up there talk about how to treat others and be respectful to our opponents, and then the cadence chant is just pathetic. People from Clemson for the most part know how to treat people and I don’t see this as ever being a problem.
2. Next, I remember that when I was little, as soon as the team left the locker room to board the bus, the camera was in the bus and it showed on the Jumbotron. Now, they just show up at the hill with little fan fare. I say film the whole thing with bumper music and get the place rocking. I do like the fact that Dabo don’t let them get halfway down the hill dancing before the cannon, this had gotten out of hand.
3. A lot of it will be solved when we turn things around and are no longer a 12:00 team, by that I mean if we start winning like I know we can, other slots will be made available, plus I think in the past TB liked noon games. This is one area where he was stubborn and didn’t listen to the people.
Sorry for the grammar mistakes but like you English isn’t my strong suite, pulling for the tigers is.
Phillip

Mickey,
Thanks for your blog, I appreciate your words about our team. I think what makes this situation with a new coach different than years past is summed up best by saying “NO EXCUSES”. We have all grown weary to hear that we were one bad play, or bad call away from a trip to the ACC championship game. Facts are that we have not won a championship since 1991. That is the year most incoming freshman were born! Do you think any of them remember our team being anything but mediocre? Dabo at least doesn’t make excuses. He holds himself and his staff accountable for the successes on and off the field. It is refreshing to hear someone be honest. Looking backwards (reactive to situations) or looking forward (proactive to situations) is a mindset. Dabo gets this. He did this to name a quarterback and kicker. I look forward to this approach on game day. I look forward to adjustments being made during the game to “win” the game versus “not lose” the game. We all have heard that the defensive strategy has changed, but my question is how has the offensive strategy changed? Can we exploit a weakness in a defense the way Alabama did to us last year? I look forward to your response.

Regards,
Tigershane

Mickey:
I am “All-In” with this team and with Clemson. I love the term as it demonstrates a collaborative covenant, one that transcends the extraneous ebbs and flows of life and sports. I don’t personally know a single player on the team and have only met a coach or two briefly, I don’t know 99.99999% of the fans who show up Game Day & I am not a significant financial contributor – but I am All-In with this team/school with the part of my heart that makes me passionate about each play, game & season.

Thanks for the blog.
Scott

Mickey,

First off, I think you do a great job for Clemson. I read your blog everyday and I wish I had time to listen to your show. I no longer live in South Carolina so its difficult to hear ya and to stay in contact with day to day Clemson sports. In any case, I thought I would finally share my thoughts on the football program. I spend a fair amount of time reading the postings by the regular Tigernetters but I never share my own opinion.

So here it goes. I graduated in December of 2007 and my last home football game as a student was the BC game when Aaron Kelly dropped that pass on the 1 yard line on the last drive. I was in the Upper Deck in probably the deepest, darkest, coldest corner of Death Valley with my 20 best friends, my girlfriend and all her girlfriends. I think me and my roommates sat silent in that cold Upper Deck for an hour after the game. All the girls had long since gone but a few of us were too stunned to leave. It was our last experience as a student and it was heartbreaking.

The next day, there was of course a lot of fallout from losing that game so I did something again that I rarely ever do. I wrote TDP an email and expressed my gratitude for the work that he does and for giving me so many memorable moments. I think our Athletic Department does a great job and I just thought it was important that TDP hear that in a time when I am sure he was feeling some intense pressure. He actually wrote back and thanked me for my kind words. It made an impression on me and as much criticism as he gets, I bet he always has the good of the University in mind. You have talked before how the AD is not the same as it used to be. That may be the case but Im willing to bet that the general goal is still the same. And that is to bring Championships back to Clemson.

I think that is evident in the Dabo hiring too. Something else that could be evident is that TDP knows this program needed a dramatic change. Otherwise, he would have gone out and hired a Gene Chizik or someone like that who already had head coaching experience. To bring in a relative unknown and hand over the reins is certainly a change but it also speaks volumes about what they think about Dabo. I met both CTB and Dabo while I was a student. My experience meeting them tells you all need to know. CTB said nice to meet you and walked away. Dabo said nice to meet you, asked me where I was from, what year I was, what sports I played and thanked me for my volunteer work.

Not that Tommy wasn't a good leader but you can just tell that Dabo is a great leader. The university needs something to rally around. With so many budget cuts and tuition increases, Clemson is winding down a dangerous road. With the team under Tommy, people, fans and students frustrated by other things took their anger out on the most visible person and program. There was such a large disconnect amongst all the Clemson people. It really was a group that expected greatness but didn't really see the possibility of getting there. Dabo needs to make everyone believe and needs to make Clemson people support the program even if we lose a game or two or five this year. He has to change the collective attitude about the direction of the program. I believe you have said this before yourself.

The attendance at the Fan Appreciation day makes me think this has already started to happen. Expectations are not nearly as high this year but I really do think this team has the ability to surprise some people. With the season less than two weeks away, I have the Clemson football bug bad already. I am "All in" but I think that is misleading. I have been "All in" since the first day I stepped on campus back in 2003. I have always wanted this team to do well and win championships. Other people should have been like this too. I know you are because you constantly want the best for this University, otherwise, you wouldn't be doing this. Whoever is not "All in" just for some reason doesn't want this program to succeed. For certain fans, how about instead of complaining about a situation you have absolutely no control over, why dont you support the people who are in charge and do your best to support the current players and coaches? It pains me to hear so many "supposed" fans say terrible things about the decisions made and the people in charge. Deal with it, move on and support the team. Its similar to people opposing the war in Iraq and not supporting the troops because of it. That is a truly terrible thing.

Sorry for the long response but it comes from frustration with the negative postings I see all the time on Tigernet. Its time to Rally around the team even if for some crazy reason you're not "All in." Fans should always be "All in" no matter who is the coach, the QB or the AD. Some of our fans need to grow up. This is wishful thinking because as you said, people like to disagree. In our case though, heart and the power of positive thinking could go a long way this season. We can't win on talent alone so we had better find some strength in other places.

Thanks again Mickey. Take care, my best to your family.

Reed

Mickey,
I am 61 years old and have been a Clemson fan for as long as I can
remember. I live in Georgia and have made the long drive to Tigertown
more times than I can count. I was in Miami when the Tigers
accomplished their greatest feat in 1981. I Beleive Danny Ford was
Clemson, and I now I think we have finally found his counterpart.
Dabo, in my opinion, is Clemson.I'm excited and yes I am "ALL IN"!
Randy

Mickey,

I am a student at Clemson University and I have always loved Clemson. It
really and truly is a special place and that is how the student body,
alumni, and fans in general feel about this school. So, when you finally
get a coach in here that is as energetic and passionate about this place
as much as we are you can't help but to get behind that person. Before
Dabo I have always said that the reason Clemson cannot get over the hump
is because for the past ten years we have had a very passive coach who
just wasn't a good motivator. A great administrator, but not a players
coach. What Clemson needed is someone with fire and we finally got it.
Someone who gets in your face, someone who kisses the rock and runs down
with the team. Look at the successful teams across the country and you
notice that they have passionate leaders at the helm. For example,
coaches like Pete Carol at USC, Saban at Alabama, Urban Myer at Florida,
Stoops at Oklahoma, and Mack Brown at Texas. When you watch these coaches
they are engaged on the sideline in the players faces and they are
passionate about their particular programs. Dabo Swinney reminds me of
these great coaches and I am proud to have Dabo as our head coach and
support him 110% because this guy will win at Clemson. I just know it. I
believe Dabo is the answer to mediocrity and I believe it is his energy
that will allow this team to win games that they SHOULD win and to be able
to handle success and not fall asleep on teams like we have in the past.

GO TIGERS!!

12 more days

Gary

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy.