If you think you know Tommy Bowden, read this.

Dec 21, 2004, 1:07 PM

I have seen posts on here in the past referring to Tommy Bowden as pretentious, arrogant, egocentric, etc. Even some have called him unavailable.

This is what he has done for me. You don't have to believe it and you don't have to read it but it is all true. Photos can prove it.

1. Even before there was an opening at Clemson I called Bobby Robinson on the phone and mentioned it sure would be great to have Tommy Bowden as our head coach if things didn't work out with Tommy West. I knew after the GT game things were not going to work out with West. He was incredibly out coached in that game and used awful time management at the end. I still wish him the best of blessings at Memphis however. He is a good man.

2. Tommy Bowden through his agent expressed interest and Robinson mentioned to me that a few other Iptay members had the same thought. Tommy and the rest of the family wanted to move but Lauren wasn't too big on the idea at first. That has since changed.

3. Since Coach Bowden has been here we have communicated in a number of ways several times and he even visited my wife while she was in the hospital despite the fact I'm not a big donor. I give $1,400/year to Iptay and for the attention I get, that is not much.

4. Friday he invited me up to meet with him and some of the staff that were around to sign some footballs for some needy children and one family who lost their Clemson grad son in a bicycle accident in Charleston this year.

5. He gave me a tour and told me to sit in HIS chair while we talked some football and just caught up on some old matters and other things that have been going on at Clemson. None of this needs to be discussed but I did mention we need to talk to Coach Nix as Southern Miss but it was too late for that. (USC got them a good one there. He might be the best DC in the nation but I digress)

6. He and I posed for photo after photo taken by a young lady who was filling in for his secretary who was out that day.

7. Dabo Sweeney met with me for a while and posed for some photos and I can tell you that guy will be a div 1 head coach in the near future. What a personality that guy has.

8. I talked with Brandon Streeter and it had been a while since I saw him last so it was great meeting up with him again.

9. We went over to the Iptay office and I saw Billy D on his way in and he ran over and shook my hand and we exchanged pleasantries. Billy D is a great asset to Clemson. Everything that guy says is positive and he always makes you feel like family when you are around him.

10. Next Billy D took me in to talk with Bert Henderson who is a nice guy but not the gregarious person I remember him as. I guess anybody can have a bad day though.

Finally I met up with Tim Bourret and he gave me plenty of propaganda and I have to admit, as a chap listening to Tim I thought he was the greatest. It's too bad he can't add color to the football games now - no offense to Will Merritt but I'd like to see all three of them in the booth - Tim knows every stat there is out there. He'd be a lot easier to like if he weren't a Notre Dame grad but some things you just have to accept. ;0)

Finally I finished by shopping in Tigertown at Tigertown Graphics, Mr. Knickerbocker, and Coach Ibrahim's stores. After a three hour ride home, I was exhausted but I can tell you I was like a kid at Christmas.

I want to thank our athletic department and especially Coach Bowden for taking so much time to meet with me and just spend time together. He is entertaining with lots of stories to tell and as long as you don't badger him for info, he will really go out of his way to make you feel at home.

And that is what I want Clemson to always be for Tommy Bowden, his family and for all Clemson grads and fans who make it such a special place. Clemson rules. Whether we go 9-4, 12-0, or 1-10, I would still prefer to be from Clemson than any other school in the country.

By the way, if you are interested in helping Clemson bring the Weekend of Champions to Clemson every other year, please t-mail me and let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

GO TIGERS!

sorry so long.

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If you think you know Tommy Bowden, read this.

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