It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Jun 17, 2017, 7:53 PM

October 12, 1963 was a somewhat bright and sunny day, with the temperature maybe in the mid 80's The Clemson Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs were locked up in a defensive struggle on the field. Oh, there may have been a few clouds just hanging around but nothing to indicate what was about to happen.

Those were the days when the ladies wore their finery to the games, many with fancy hats and if her husband or date wanted to make a splash, she wore a corsage. Fans didn't have to worry about parking, just drive to the area around the stadium and pick your spot.

About mid-way in the first half a small black cloud came from Fair Play, passed over the stadium and headed off towards Pickens. The people in Pickens must have put up a "DO NOT ENTER" sign because the cloud did an about face and headed back toward the stadium. The temperature dropped about 30 -35 degrees and hail rained down on the stadium as if it had been dumped by a garbage truck. It was not golf-ball size like they have in the mid-west but it was about the size of a nickel in diameter. What it lacked in diameter it made up in quantity.

This all began just before halftime and everyone headed for the exits. My seats are at the F-UF portal and I could not get out there. I had to go down to the end of the stands. The overhead stands were not sealed and the rain mixed with the hail was pouring through the cracks. The only place that was dry were the rest rooms and they were packed in like sardines. The dresses for many of the women were made from a material that would shrink when wet --- and they shrunk. Their hats and hairdos were a complete disaster.

Everyone was soaking wet and cold and most were leaving. I had already enjoyed about as much as I could stand so I decided to pack up and head for home. I had parked in the lot in front of Fike with my car facing Fike. I had a Chevy with a side vent which I had left partially open. When I opened the door, the seat and floor board were covered with hail. I raked out as much as I could. I was already soaking wet so sitting on a wet seat was not going to add more moisture to my clothing.

I arrived home, removed my wet clothes, took a warm shower, put on some dry clothes and listened to the radio for the remainder of the game. The game ended in a 7 -7 tie'

When I left the game I looked down on the field which was covered with hail. Several inches of hail had piled up at the concrete wall on the south side. The second half was delayed until the hail had melted.

Yes, that was one HAIL of a game.

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You described a similar experience I had on my first date with my wife of 60 years. I was on the faculty of Texas A& M and she was a TCU student. A&M was playing TCU at home. Bear Bryant was coaching A&M at that time.I had on a suit and tie and she was in her Sunday finest. When we parked there were some clouds in the far west. We discussed whether to take the umbrella but decided not to.
Before the first quarter was over the dark clouds were upon us. No hail but severe winds. The flags around the stadium were torn to shreds, umbrellas and ten gallon cowboy hats were flying out of the stadium. We were soaked to the skin and it got cold. I magnanimously took off my coat and draped it around her shoulders( good move). We made our way out and I took her to her cousins whose husband was a fellow faculty member,and had arranged the date.Then went to my apartment to change into dry clothes. I picked her up and headed back for most of the second half,the sun was shining, but we decided to go to the student union and listen to the remainder of the game. We were talking so much that we were almost oblivious that the game was on.
A&M won 7 to 6. The Aggie students have a tradition of kissing their dates after the team scores, I did not tell her that it didn't apply to faculty! It turned out that the storm had hurricane force winds and the stadium management decided to not announce an evacuation for fear of a stampede. Many of the Old Aggies had flown their private planes into a small nearby airport . The winds flipped about 40 planes over.
The game, and first date, was on October 20, 1956. We married on April 20, 1957, six months to the day from our first date. The stormy beginning may have prepared us for the wonderful 60 year journey we have just celebrated.

It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Sounds awesome, but before my time. The one I remember was

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

3 years before I arrived on the planet...what a weird day***

My momma still brings up that game every year.

Reminds me of the USC game where Tigers kicked

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Excellent description!

Re: It Was One HAIL of a Game !!!

Yes it was

Re: Yes it was

Remember it well!***

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