Ok, I have spent the past three months looking forward to a 5 day weekend which I will spend with my Clemson family in anticipation and finally enjoyment of the opening game of the 2008 Clemson Tigers Football Season. The atmosphere will be electric the entire weekend and will culminate on a nationally televised game on a Monday night in which all of the Tiger nation is planning on attending in some way or form and performing a Mecca to Death Valley and the temporary “City” of Clemson. After that weekend, the administration has decided to place the next two home games, which occur in the middle of September, will also occur around the dead middle of the day: 1 o’clock. Have we not learned our lessons from UGA a few years back or the BC game from 2 years back or any other early games that the fans and team have endured? Have they not figured out that The Valley just doesn’t have the same energy and excitement at a noon or 1 game that it does even at a 3 or later game? Even CJ and James stated that in the most recent edition of “TigerTime” where they noted that the stadium is exciting for any game, but the night games just have that noticeable energy. I know that the 1 o’clock game is the long standing tradition of Clemson football, heck that’s why the paw is cocked at the position it is, but mother nature doesn’t play nice that early in the season. I also know that the noon and 1 games are supposed to accommodate the traveling Tiger fanbase (re: distant IPTAY $$$) so that they can drive in and get back home in one day. This decision was not factored by TV as in the past so this can be the only factor I can find. I, personally, would rather have the environment that is Death Valley at night (afternoon) with fans screaming at the top of their lungs to the point that they are dizzy than the blistering exhausted dehydrated fanbase that can’t even cheer because that may spend the energy they need to walk to the concession stands to buy more water. Later in the season, when it is cooler, sure go ahead and play some early games but please keep the early season games to a 3 PM or later date!

Posted on Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 at 7:32 am by Clem

Filed under Athletic Department, Football.

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