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Ultimate Clemson Legend [101298]
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Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 29, 2024, 12:51 PM
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Is getting more & more difficult emotionally at 83 than it was at age 17.
I discovered Tigertown, Clemson College & Clemson Football the same day in 1958 from an invite to attend a Tiger football game which back then was played in a typical mid-size unimposing football stadium on a quaint compact campus and it had no eye-opening upper decks but instead had lovely green & trimmed hedges on the far sidelines like those at UGa's stadium..
And the rubbing of the Rock and running down The HiLL were not even a thought and the same goes for dreaming up a head-coach named Dabo 50 odd years later and being told that he & we would experience many 10+ consecutive wining seasons, two Natties in four tries would shock & delight us all..
And there were No as in Zero female student members..nor a Knickerbockers Clothing Store with tons of PAW logo-clad merchandise, no Lake Hartwell, that the school was a College and not an University yet, and no 4-lane 123 Bypass to G'ville existed til mid-60's..
and Tiger football was still playing those dastardly Coots in Columbia after 60 straight years with still one more year to go (1959) b/4 those Birds would come to DV to see our beautiful campus for the very first time but still our team had won about 1/3 more games away.
BUT..Clemson had a lot going for it in 1958, like: a special military Esprit-de-Corps all-male student body that had a bond & closeness 2nd to none, Dan's Sandwich Shop where he'd set you up on open credit if broke, and the infamous Tin Can dorms were still causing a stir due to their unique cantilever design while their razor-thin walls allowed sounds that were alarmingly audible from adjoining walls..
Yet one could watch the former "Barron of Barlow Bend Alabama born" Clemson Football Coach Frank Howard hold court at practices on what is the present Soccer Team's field while his Boys were amazingly ranked in the Top 10 while still playing 2-platoon football with dual quarterbacks but headed to the Sugar Bowl while a few of the players were married and lived in the WW2 Prefabs for married students.
The Pentagon-sized P & A Building was where yummy home-made ice cream & the famous Clemson brand of bleu cheese could be easily found, and the male cheerleaders were the equal to present day Texas A&M "yell" leaders, and the world-class modern-designed Clemson House Hotel located on the high grounds opp Bowman was the place for great evening meals & Sunday brunches..
While the infamous "Ratting" season for the entering freshmen Cadets was a hardship on them, it was a joy for the upperclassmen who mandated the wearing of the funny orange beanie caps for instant identification & degradation plus they were forced to sing their high school alma-maters while standing at the large 10-person dining room tables and watching in disbelief while their meal was being eaten by the senior cadets..
And with no elaborate, fancy & big LJ basketball arena as we have & complain about today the round-ball games still occurred in the hot, tiny jam-packed Fife Arena to the roar of a few thousand who knew we wouldn't beat the seemingly always #1 ranked Duke or Heels but once in a Blue Moon but our Boys tried & we all cried afterwards..
But there was a good competitive wrestling team and the ROTC cadets could be seen practicing & marching on historic Bowman Field close to the Administrative offices which were then in nearby Tillman/Main Hall..
From which the bells rang out across the campus on time and late night trips to Dan's for cheeseburgers were the norm, while exam grades were embarrassingly posted on wall bulletin boards in hallways for all to see.
Dang..i had written many more paragraphs contrasting the past campus to the present but my finger hit a key that erased much of my written thoughts..
so I'll close since need to leave this beautiful place for home in SAV but which will never be "The HOME" in my heart & mind as Clemson College & Tigertown have been for 66 sweet years.
Go TiGERS..Jeep ROCKing!
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Orange Immortal [63664]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 1:12 PM
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^^^ POTD ^^^
+ HOF post.
Who knew 64 years ago would lead you to being the original Paw Flag bearer. A tradition that later was adopted by Central spirit at all our sporting events. Also made famous on espn GameDay. Thank you LBB for giving us another proud tradition that will last longer than I'll be on earth.
Safe travels my friend!!!
lightbulbbill®
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National Champion [7153]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 1:17 PM
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Great poast Bill
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Valley Legend [12923]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 1:45 PM
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Great post. Thanks.
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Rival Killer [2963]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 1:49 PM
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Memories are the best. No one can take them away. Safe travels on the move. Be ready to do battle with Mosquitos and Sand Gnats but at least the winters are not harsh. GO TIGERS, always.
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All-Pro [716]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 2:29 PM
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Outstanding post and much appreciated by LRW 62-66.
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Dynasty Maker [3276]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 4:22 PM
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best wishes to you and I hope you can settle well where you land
joy
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CU Medallion [20019]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 7:57 PM
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What about the blondies?! Man I miss those things.
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Ultimate Tiger [33578]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 8:57 PM
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Bloom where your planted LBB...or shine where your screwed in, or something like that.
Thanks for the memories my friend!
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Offensive Star [343]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown now after 64 seasons from discovering
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Sep 29, 2024, 9:04 PM
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Wishing you all the best "LightBlubBill" your posts were always interesting, Be Safe, Have Fun,
and Enjoy Life!!! Man you have racked up a ton of memories, always the BEST!!!
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Letterman [170]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 8:32 AM
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All the best LBB, safe travels! Thanks for sharing these awesome memories. You stirred up some memories for me when I was there in the 90’s and stories I heard from my grandfather who attended in the 40’s. Now my son, who is there now, is making his on memories. There is definitely something special in those hills!
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Game Changer [2031]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 8:49 AM
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Awesome post LBB! A true Clemson Gentleman.
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Heisman Winner [86360]
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Glad you inserted the "Till Next Year" part, LBB. Seems like some were panicing
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Sep 30, 2024, 8:59 AM
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thinking you might be abandoning ship permanently.
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All-In [11091]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 10:27 AM
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thanks for one of the best posts i've read here on t-net!like you i arrived on campus as a 17 yr. old in '64.have many of the same wonderful memories.1st beer was downtown at Nick's.what a great time it was to be a student and even better to be at one of the best schools in the country.those who never went to CU don't quite understand the feelings of loyalty and closeness to the school that we all that did have.going there was and still is one of my best life choices.wouldn't trade that for anything.(one small oversite if i remember correctly:FH was the BASHFUL baron of barlow bend.)once again thanks for the post.travel safely and never stop making t-net the great place for CU people to stop by.
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CU Guru [1516]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 11:04 AM
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Great post!
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1st Rounder [679]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 11:35 AM
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I turned 3 that year, so i don't think we saw each other at that game, but I agree that Clemson in those days was a very special place. As the son of a professor, it was the greatest place to grow up. Nothing beat a peach milkshake from the P&A on a hot summer day.
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Offensive Star [302]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 11:50 AM
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Great post. Brings back a lot of great memories. I still have my beanie rat hat.
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Game Day Hero [4576]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 12:19 PM
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All the best
There is something in those hills
and Clemson will always be in my heart
I was at the game on Saturday after driving down from NJ
I hope you all get power soon and stayed safe
GO TIGERS
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Athletic Dir [1112]
TigerPulse: 78%
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 2:42 PM
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How anyone could disrespect this man on here is beyond me. Smarter than most and not afraid to tell the truth. Great post!
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Game Changer [1973]
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Great Post
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Sep 30, 2024, 6:07 PM
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Brought back my own set of special Clemson memories. A few years younger than yours but still some of the best years of my life. Keep on keeping on and Go Tigers!!
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Paw Warrior [5022]
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Re: Leaving beloved Tigertown til next yr after discovering it 66 seasons ago
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Sep 30, 2024, 8:45 PM
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Really enjoyed reading your post Bill. I always get a kick out of my older friends who still say “Clemson College”. But your post has created a nostalgic picture and given me a new respect.
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Tiger Spirit [9275]
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Heisman Winner [81904]
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Gave you TU 99- waiting for #100
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Sep 30, 2024, 9:35 PM
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Rare air
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Top TigerNet [30051]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Praying for you.
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Sep 30, 2024, 9:59 PM
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Has to be emotionally stressing. Just remember, Savannah ain't your final destination, only a temporary layover.
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