Replies: 36
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 21, 2010, 9:09 PM
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Here's a funny true story that I was apart of in 1959.
Clemson freshmen were called "RATS" then since we had to wear for one semester that little orange billed beanie cap due to our hair having been cut off months earlier due to the military traditions that still prevailed even though it was officially over around 1956...with all male enrollment.
About 5 days before the Clemson-Carolina football game some of us "Rats" were "ordered" by the seniors to go out to the far edge of Pendelton to set up a road block and stop any Gamecock we saw..and send them packing.
Remember that in those days the main road to Columbia was either the old 2-lane road through Easley to Greenville or the one to and through Anderson that went down to Greenwood and back towards Columbia...since no 4-lanes existed like we have now..and way before most you were even born..being the Coach Frank Howard era.
It was so cold and dark the night that my group went over to Pendleton, so we fixed a bon fire in a barrel drum...and drank the hot chocolate we had...and huddled up talking about what we would do if we stopped a car with a Coot in it..and the final conclusion was we actually didn't know what a Gamecock would look like..unless they told us themselves...so we never caught one of them Birds, but it was important that we did what we were told to do, or the seniors would make life tough on us..like making us sing our high school fight song while standing up at the dining hall table, while they ate all of the food..leaving none for us.
The main reason we guarded all the perimeters around Clemson was that the Coots use to sneak up from Cola and try to steal Tom Clemson's stature or paint him Garnet/Black in order to show us that our campus and us military boys could be invaded.
Life was so much simpler then...and 1959 was the last year of the big Thursday fairground football game, which we won handily with two QB's (Shingler & White). It was my first Clemson-Carolina game, during which my pants pocket was torn half off by a big Coot male cheerleader after I had stupidly jumped out of my seat and onto the playing field just before the start of the game to help retrieve the Tiger's tail that they had stolen, and he chased me back over the hedge and into my front row seat! It was at this point in my early college life that I realized what this rivalship was all about, and how much this game meant to each school.
And what a day and what a game and what a tradition I experienced on that sunny but chilly November day in 1959, since it marked the last time we had to play in Columbia every year since about 1896.
As Frank Howard had notoriously done after that great victory over the ##### with his famous tip of his fedora as to say goodbye and we'll see ya next year (1960) for the very first time in 64 years up in Tigertown.. we "Rats" also lifted up our orange beanie caps as we walked out of that "Cesspool of the South" stadium (as it was called then) and headed back to Clemson College on those narrow roads in cars that were actually made of sturdy metal & chrome bumpers for a fantastic cheeseburger from Dan's uptown..and maybe a cold beer if we could find one..and yell our heads off with a vocal C.L.E.M. & Cadence Count.
We had been victorious and The TIGERS were headed to a big bowl...again.
And, I still have my Rat cap 51 years later which still has my former girlfriend's name written on it in fading ink under the bill (later my wife & then my Ex). Clemson College was a very special place then...and it's even more of a special place in my heart now at age 69...since it's meant so much to my life (sending a son there later) and gave me the spirit of brotherhood, and of having a bond with others that cared about a unique place called Clemson...where the Blue Ridge yawns its greatness, where the TIGERS play.
Now, in 2010 it's again that time in November for all men (and women now) who love the Orange & White to discover what the Clemson-Carolina rivalry means to them individually...and remember that no matter how much it means, it wouldn't be the same or half as much fun if we didn't have the Gamecocks as our valued instate rivals, friends or in some cases family members.
Go TIGERS!
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Orange Blooded [2220]
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Great story....
Nov 21, 2010, 9:16 PM
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...my dad was a 1950 Clemson grad...
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Great story....(Thanks "GLEANER63" & About Your DAD)
Nov 21, 2010, 9:18 PM
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Go TIGERS!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Hope you will enjoy my 1959 story. Thanks for reading!
Nov 21, 2010, 9:44 PM
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Go TIGERS!
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Rooter [242]
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Great story ....
Nov 21, 2010, 9:49 PM
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Bill,
Even though I am a Gamecock fan, I truly enjoyed your story. I always enjoy hearing stories/pranks,etc. from the past as it strengthens the bonds of this tradition and the rivalry itself.
Thank you for sharing ....
Life is good - Peace!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Great story ....(Thanks "GAMECOCK DISCIPLE")
Nov 21, 2010, 9:55 PM
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Glad you enjoyed story..and took time to tell me...so glad to share and to let the younger fans know what this rivalship is all about, and not hatred but respect.
Congrats to Gamecocks on a great year and getting to play for SEC championship which I hope you win...as well as your bowl game.
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Legend [16071]
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Awesome story. Love to know more***
Nov 21, 2010, 9:54 PM
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Awesome story. Love to know more*** (OK & THANKS!)
Nov 21, 2010, 9:57 PM
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Go Tigers!
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CU Medallion [53482]
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Love the story!!!! Thanks for sharing!***
Nov 21, 2010, 10:05 PM
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Love the story!!!! Thanks for sharing!*** (THX "TS")
Nov 21, 2010, 10:07 PM
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Go TIGERS!
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Rock Defender [54]
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Outstanding!! Thanks for sharing!!
Nov 21, 2010, 10:11 PM
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I think I have something in my eye!!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Outstanding!! Thanks for sharing!! (UR Welcome CU TIGER)***
Nov 21, 2010, 10:16 PM
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Letterman [264]
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why do they call you lightbulbbill ?
Nov 21, 2010, 10:46 PM
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enjoyed the story . I was at CU from 72-76 and vividly remember the Thursday night pep rallies at the amphitheater , gamecock burn and funeral - traditions that are long gone
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: why do they call you lightbulbbill ? (CAUSE I SELL BULBS
Nov 21, 2010, 11:23 PM
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And my first name is BILL...so, "Lightbulb" Bill.
Thanks for your interest.
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Fan [91]
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Re: In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 21, 2010, 11:05 PM
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I, like you, am 69, and was a "rat" at Clemson in 1959. I have some of the same remembrances, and thank you, as do many others, for sharing your story.
I may have misread the part about the all-male student body, however. I had a few girls in one of my classe that were among the first girls admitted as students. As I recall, I think they were majorettes. Does this ring a bell with you?
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: OK "OLDTIMETIGER", maybe couple of girls by 1959.....
Nov 21, 2010, 11:25 PM
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Thanks for reading & enjoying. Yes, good old days...mostly boys.
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Orange Blooded [2293]
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Re: In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 21, 2010, 11:16 PM
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Great story Bill! My dad graduated in '68 and he was a rat as well. In fact, I still have his rat hat which I wore when I was a little kid. My baby boy will wear it too come Feb. 10th! And dad always tells me that people talk around Clemson about Mac's drive in being the place to go...but he always said that was never the case when he was in school.....Dan's uptown was ALWAYS the place to go for a burger.... Go Tigers!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Yes "K8kbrder", Dan's was the place and a great Guy who.
Nov 21, 2010, 11:28 PM
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loved Clemson College. He would give you a meal on your word or signing a slip..and pay him back later. When his store almost burned down (next to what is the SUBWAY sandwich shop on corner)..he placed his tables outside on patio area and served burgers while repairing.
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Standout [334]
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Re: Yes "K8kbrder", Dan's was the place and a great Guy who.
Nov 22, 2010, 5:24 PM
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I was a rat in 1961, there through December of 1966. Always went to Dan's. Never even heard of Mac's while I was there.
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CU Guru [1803]
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"and women now"..don't forget we Winthrop girls who were all
Nov 22, 2010, 12:26 AM
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Tigers too!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Yes Mame "ZOE09", won't forget the Winthrop Tiger Girls!
Nov 22, 2010, 9:06 AM
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Ha! Go TIGERS!
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All-TigerNet [10402]
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Re: In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 22, 2010, 1:29 AM
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Best post I have seen on Tnet.GO TIGERS
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Thanks "BADB" for saying Best Post on Tnet..
Nov 22, 2010, 9:08 AM
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Go TIGERS!
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CU Guru [1669]
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Re: In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 22, 2010, 5:01 AM
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This gave me chills reading it...The rat system played a big part in the traditions at Clemson.....
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Thanks "WWSTEAD" on Liking Post, giving you chills, etc.
Nov 22, 2010, 9:09 AM
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Go TIGERS!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Thanks Tigers for enjoying my post; will do more soon.
Nov 22, 2010, 11:21 AM
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Go TIGERS!
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Addict [443]
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Hall of Fame post- Thanks
Nov 22, 2010, 1:07 PM
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My Grandfather attended Clemson A&M in the 30s and had a similar story. That just about made my eyes sweat a little bit. Thanks.
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Hall of Fame post- (Thanks "SHANKW" for HOF vote)
Nov 22, 2010, 3:51 PM
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Go TIGERS!
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110%er [6589]
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Re: In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 22, 2010, 4:03 PM
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You were in the class behind my dad, class of 1962. Good story. My dad had several similar stories of his time at Clemson A&M.
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Thanks "ROGUE ####" & hearing about your Tiger Dad.
Nov 22, 2010, 7:13 PM
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nm
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Standout [334]
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Re: In 1959 We RATS Guarded Pendleton Against ##### Slipping In.
Nov 22, 2010, 5:30 PM
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I remember my senior year 1965 game- some guys rigged up a GTO with barrels of orange and purple paint drip out the trunk and rode all through the USC campus leaving trails of orange & purple. They also painted statues on the campus plus around the State House.
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Thx "TONYBENSON" on story about painting Cola streets.
Nov 22, 2010, 7:15 PM
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with orange & purple paint dripping from car. LOL!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Happy THANKSGIVING Greetings to All. Go TIGERS!
Nov 24, 2010, 7:18 PM
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nm
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All-TigerNet [12270]
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great story! i was all of one year and five months old
Nov 24, 2010, 8:14 PM
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then but it diddn't take long after moving to "god's country" in 71 to learn what this rivalry really means and realize how much i detest coots!
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: great story! (Thanks "SAV82TIGER"; FUNNY POST)***
Nov 24, 2010, 8:25 PM
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Sincere HAPPY THANKS-GIVING To Everyone in S.C.
Nov 25, 2010, 9:26 AM
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That's to Tigers & Gamecocks alike. Peace til Saturday.
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Oculus Spirit [91057]
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Re: Are the RATS Guarding The Campus From Coots Sneaking in.
Nov 27, 2010, 12:11 AM
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Better not let them steal the ROCK or paint Tom Clemson Garnet & Black!!
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Replies: 36
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