I wanted to repost this in honor of the Class of 2005!

May 5, 2005, 6:57 PM

I am Clemson's Biggest Fan.

"What's that he said?"
"Is he crazy?"
"I'm Clemson's biggest fan, not you!"
"Who the heck does this guy think he is!"

Well, my name is Joe...and I am Clemson's biggest fan. I didn't grow up with the Tigers. Many of you did. You were born into a Clemson family, raised knowing only one team, one school, one love. I was not. I was born to an insurance salesman from Harlem, NY and a secretary from Brooklyn. I was raised in the great state of Georgia; home to peaches, peanuts, and a kooky old man they once called President.

I was born the year the Tigers captured victory in the Orange Bowl...they year they became the greatest team in the land. I didn't even know it happened. I wouldn't learn of our triumphant victory until I was 16 years old.

I had never heard of Max Lennon, or Danny Ford. I had never heard the word "Upstate." I-85 North was nothing but a thoroughfare to North Carolina. Death Valley was a place out west, a desert locale.

I had never walked down College Avenue. I had never heard of Bowman Field. I didn't know who Thomas Green Clemson was; or that he was the son-in-law of John C. Calhoun.

Despite all of my ignorance, I choose to leave my parents, my home, my life, my friends, and my existence. I left it all behind to take a chance on a small Land-Grant University in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I came to Clemson.

I dare not elaborate on all my experiences at Clemson...you nor I have enough time in the day. But I can tell you this: I am Clemson's biggest fan.

And how, you may ask, did I come to earn this distinguished honor? Simple. I gave my soul to Clemson. The day I stepped foot on this campus I gave up the very fabric of my being. And it was the easiest thing I have ever done.

I have seen Clemson through the eyes of a child. I have seen Clemson through the eyes of a man. Clemson is more than a place. Its my Alma Mater. Alma Mater translated means Nurturing Mother. And what does a mother do? She cares for you, she teaches you, she disciplines you, and most of all she loves you. She is always there; and you can always count on her. That is what Clemson has meant. That is why I am Clemson's biggest fan.

I have seen Clemson grow. When I came here, the Hendrix Center was just opening its doors. Stadium Suites did not exist. Hurricanes was a bar, not a sub shop. Highway 93 into Central was 2 lanes. I have seen every season in Clemson. From the leaves cascading into Lake Hartwell...to the azaleas blooming in the President's Park. I have seen snow on Bowman. I have seen a fire on the Ridge.

I have sat in Littlejohn and watched Will Solomon and Ed Scott make lanes the DOT couldn't match. I have seen why a Woody always beats a ####. I saw a future MLB shortstop hit more doubles than anyone in history. I have learned what the word rival truly means. I have seen so much.

So why does all this make me Clemson's biggest fan? Simply put...until the day my God takes me from this Earth I will forever give my heart, my soul, my passion, and my trust to Clemson University. It will take me a lifetime of servitude to even begin to pay her back for all she has done. I will forever defend her. I will forever love her. I will forever be a Clemson Man.

After all this, I must confess...I am not Clemson's biggest fan. Why? Because every one of you reading this is. We are all Clemson's biggest fan. That is why Clemson is so special. Clemson doesn't discriminate. Clemson doesn't care if you have a Mercedes or a Pinto. Clemson doesn't care how fat your wallet is or how empty your pockets are. Clemson reaches out to a special part of you and pulls you in. She captures your soul and she will never let go. We are a family: The Clemson Family. We are Black, White, Asian, Hispanic. We are rich, poor, farm boys, city boys, politicians, businessmen, blue collar, white collar. No matter our differences we are bound by one love.

Joe Sherman was a great man, a Clemson Man. He knew how special Clemson is. His words still hold true these many years later. He said, "There is something in these hills."

I say...I am Clemson's Biggest Fan.

Joe Ader
Clemson University Class of '04

Message was edited by: Clemsonjoe®