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Ultimate Tiger [34262]
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Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 8:22 PM
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My Dad grew up during the depression and World War II as the fourth son of a poor farming family in rural South Carolina. Life on the farm was tough and physically demanding. Later on in high school, as a 6’ 3” 195 pound bone crushing lineman, he was fortunate enough to win a football scholarship from Frank Howard after he witnessed Dad crush several North Carolina lineman in the 1949 Shrine Bowl.
Getting a chance to go to college was a big deal. It had rarely been done by many at the time and certainly never in our family. Dad was the first.
Clemson A&M College was all military at the time. One requirement was that you were to bring one certain size black footlocker. Everything you brought with you had to fit in that locker. That was the easy part for Dad. He had very little to put in that locker. In fact he didn’t have the money to buy said locker. Luckily his aunt did and she bought him this footlocker for graduation. Dad dutifully kept this footlocker during his entire four years at Clemson. It was there in the morning at Reveille and also there at night after a long day of football practice and study hall. It followed him during his time as a US Army officer and everywhere else after that.
Dad passed away in 2019. However his footlocker has continued to keep sentry in our attic patiently awaiting it’s next travel orders.
Well, the black footlocker’s new travel orders have arrived. This coming week, 73 years to the date of its first arrival at Clemson A&M College, black footlocker will be reporting for duty once again. This time to Clemson University with my daughter, another aspiring student athlete.
Go Tigers !
Grandad would be thrilled !
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Campus Hero [13947]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 8:29 PM
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Very, very, very cool!!!! Family, tradition, history. Good luck to your daughter.
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Recruit [82]
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It is really good story
Aug 14, 2022, 8:48 PM
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Thank you for sharing.
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Head Coach [752]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 8:50 PM
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Thanks for posting!
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Orange Blooded [2557]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 9:00 PM
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What a wonderful story. I Wish the best for her both in sports and academics.I lived this story too.
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Heisman Winner [84021]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 9:05 PM
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Thank you for sharing this story.
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110%er [3626]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 9:06 PM
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That was a great read. Congratulations to you for your daughter. Anyway, that is crazy that that locker is making it all the way back. It almost sound like it is alive.
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Gridiron Giant [15261]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 9:21 PM
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Congratulations! Good story but even more important is the fact your daughter is on the way to Clemson for a great education. Go tigers
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Fan [32]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 10:17 PM
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Now that is what I call a great family tradition.
Good luck to your daughter
Go Tigers!
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Orange Blooded [3066]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 10:32 PM
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Hoping your daughter makes the same impact on Clemson and the school on her that your Dad experienced. There must be lots of stories corralled in the lining of that chest and surely there will be more. Wishing your daughter every success in her Clemson career and beyond.
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Clemson Sports Icon [55098]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 14, 2022, 10:46 PM
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Thanks for sharing such a awesome story!
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Clemson Conqueror [11604]
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Great story! Thx for sharing.***
Aug 15, 2022, 5:29 AM
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110%er [3654]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 6:09 AM
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Great read. It felt like I was in the locker with each move.
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CU Medallion [20911]
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Need to see the foot locker!
Aug 15, 2022, 6:30 AM
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Ultimate Tiger [34262]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Black Footlocker reporting for duty, Sir !!
Aug 15, 2022, 7:12 AM
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CU Medallion [20911]
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Excellent!
Aug 15, 2022, 7:18 AM
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TigerNet Eternal Icon [184830]
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Joined: 2007
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Valley Protector [1425]
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110%er [3973]
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Orange Blooded [2408]
TigerPulse: 96%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 7:25 AM
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Best story I've heard in some time.
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Heisman Winner [83152]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 8:00 AM
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your dad sounds like a heck of a guy who has a heck of a son and granddaughter. All the best to your daughter in her Clemson experience
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Game Day Hero [4192]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Great story to start my week & smile to my face…
Aug 15, 2022, 8:00 AM
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Thanks for sharing!
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Legend [6881]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 8:08 AM
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Thanks for sharing
Great story
I am sure he is proud and it will be inspiring for your daughter.
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All-In [10895]
TigerPulse: 100%
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What a great tradition to be able to pass on!
Aug 15, 2022, 8:11 AM
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I hope your daughter realizes how special that is!
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Valley Legend [12434]
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THAT is an awesome story. Good Luck to your daughter on this
Aug 15, 2022, 9:03 AM
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next step. I know she appreciates the significance of that foot locker and it will help her push through the challenging times she'll occasionally face while in school.
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Oculus Spirit [41068]
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Reminds me I still have my Grandfather's WWII Navy Sea Bag
Aug 15, 2022, 9:14 AM
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That thing served me my whole military career and beyond, went to college with my son and now still lives on here at the house. Imagine something being made nowadays lasting 80+ years.
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Orange Immortal [64690]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 9:17 AM
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A H&ll of a Footlocker, they don't make-um like that anymore, Men either, thanks for a great story, Salute!!!
Message was edited by: allorangeallthetime52®
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Rival Killer [2899]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Great story
Aug 15, 2022, 10:47 AM
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Having moved 2 kids in and out of dorms/apartments at Clemson, I can guarantee you that her stuff is not going to fit into that foot locker! Be prepared!
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Top TigerNet [32282]
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Re: Great story
Aug 15, 2022, 10:51 AM
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Great story Argo.
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Ultimate Tiger [38731]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 1:45 PM
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That is an awesome story and so proud that your daughter will carry on the tradition - go Tigers!
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110%er [4089]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Circle of Life. Congrats to the whole family!***
Aug 15, 2022, 4:08 PM
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Oculus Spirit [39669]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 4:13 PM
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Dad's.... 'nuff said.
GO TIGERS!
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Game Day Hero [4488]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 5:53 PM
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Excellent story. Obviously an impressive person used it all those years ago.
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Top TigerNet [32049]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 5:56 PM
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Great story. Thanx for sharing.
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Rival Killer [2971]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Cool story, thanks for posting!***
Aug 15, 2022, 6:00 PM
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TigerNet Elite [74648]
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 7:45 PM
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This is one of the best stories I have read on TNet.
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Head Coach [947]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Dad’s Clemson Foot Locker
Aug 15, 2022, 8:51 PM
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My grandfather enrolled at Duke in the mid 1920s. He was allowed a duffle bag and a foot locker. The foot locker was bigger than the duffle, so he packed his clothes in the duffle and stuffed the foot locker full of sweet potatos with which he could barter.
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Ring of Honor [21266]
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Thank you a bunch for sharing that.
Aug 15, 2022, 8:52 PM
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This is the kind of thing that offers a lot of hope for what's ahead. As there should be.
Go Tigers.
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Gridiron Giant [15864]
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congrats great story !!
Aug 15, 2022, 8:59 PM
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God Bless
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Valley Legend [12999]
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I very much enjoyed your story. My Dad was a WWII veteran as well
Aug 15, 2022, 9:33 PM
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I hope your daughter appreciates what an extraordinary gift she has been given and treasures it!
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Ring of Honor [23139]
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