The Day Hatfield Was Introduced As Our New Coach

Jan 18, 2018, 3:32 PM

It was a Sunday and I had made my usual visit to Clemson United Methodist Church, located at that time across SC-93 from the campus. After the service had ended and I was departing, Dr. Edwards called to me and said they were going to introduce Ken Hatfield as our new coach over at the stadium that afternoon and for me to come on over. Well, I thought that was a nice gesture, a personal invitation from Dr. Edwards to join in the festivities.

At the appointed time, my wife, one of my daughters and I drove to the stadium. We walked to the ramp at the South side of the stadium. Security said I could not go to the VIP section and I could not find Dr. Edwards anywhere. So, we positioned ourselves at the gates going into the stadium. Hatfield, along with the dignitaries were to arrive in a motorcade and enter the stadium at these gates.

My wife, daughter and I were standing on one side along with several other Tiger fans. On the other side were a group of Tiger fans with signs protesting the firing of Coach Ford. Just before the motorcade arrived, security told those of us on our side to move to the other side where the protesters were located. Somehow, I happened to get in the midst of those with the protest signs. Little did I realize several cameramen from various TV stations were filming the group of protesters and there I was right in the middle. I believe every TV station had a cameraman there and the film was shown on the 6:00 o'clock news. Every one that knew me must have been watching the news because I started getting calls from friends throughout the state accusing me of being one of the protesters.

When the motorcade came through, there was Dr. Edwards in one of the vehicles and that was why I was not able to locate him at the stadium. The next time I saw him I told him about my being shown on TV with all of the protesters. We had a big laugh and mentioned and still laughed at this episode many
times over the years.

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> It was a Sunday and I had made my usual visit to
> Clemson United Methodist Church, located at that time
> across SC-93 from the campus. After the service had
> ended and I was departing, Dr. Edwards called to me
> and said they were going to introduce Ken Hatfield as
> our new coach over at the stadium that afternoon and
> for me to come on over. Well, I thought that was a
> nice gesture, a personal invitation from Dr. Edwards
> to join in the festivities.
>
> At the appointed time, my wife, one of my daughters
> and I drove to the stadium. We walked to the ramp at
> the South side of the stadium. Security said I could
> not go to the VIP section and I could not find Dr.
> Edwards anywhere. So, we positioned ourselves at the
> gates going into the stadium. Hatfield, along with
> the dignitaries were to arrive in a motorcade and
> enter the stadium at these gates.
>
> My wife, daughter and I were standing on one side
> along with several other Tiger fans. On the other
> side were a group of Tiger fans with signs protesting
> the firing of Coach Ford. Just before the motorcade
> arrived, security told those of us on our side to
> move to the other side where the protesters were
> located. Somehow, I happened to get in the midst of
> those with the protest signs. Little did I realize
> several cameramen from various TV stations were
> filming the group of protesters and there I was right
> in the middle. I believe every TV station had a
> cameraman there and the film was shown on the 6:00
> o'clock news. Every one that knew me must have been
> watching the news because I started getting calls
> from friends throughout the state accusing me of
> being one of the protesters.
>
> When the motorcade came through, there was Dr.
> Edwards in one of the vehicles and that was why I was
> not able to locate him at the stadium. The next time
> I saw him I told him about my being shown on TV with
> all of the protesters. We had a big laugh and
> mentioned and still laughed at this episode many
> times over the years.

Joe, I was on that side and meant to be there.Danny should never have lost his job!!

The Day Hatfield Was Introduced As Our New Coach

Re: The Day Hatfield Was Introduced As Our New Coach

you sound like kind of the forerunner

When Danny's firing was to be announced at Clemson House, I drove over from G'ville

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