By: Margaret Chase // Rising Clemson Senior + President of Clemson PRSSA
This is a contributor-submitted Voices piece. Learn how to be a GVLtoday contributor here.
Home games at Clemson are by far one of the best parts about being a student. Whether
you’ve been a Tiger fan for 30 years or are new the Clemson family, making the most out of
your game day experience requires just a little bit of planning and a whole lot of spirit.
1. Have a plan + Get there early
People typically start tailgating anywhere between 3 and 6 hours before kick-off.
Personally, I think that 3:30 p.m. games are just perfect because you have plenty of time to
Tailgate before and after the game.
Noon games take a little more effort to get up and at ‘em in the morning, and 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. games usually turn into an all-day tailgating fest.
You definitely don’t want to feel rushed to get into the stadium, but you want to make sure
you’re there for the most exciting 25 seconds of college football!
Setting aside enough time to enjoy some tailgate food is always at the top of my list to do before kick-off - if you’re
looking for some game day snack ideas, check out this Southern Living guide.
2. Dress Appropriately
AKA wear orange/purple! I always wear a tiger paw stick-on tattoo to add a little extra pop
of color to my game day outfit. “Dressing appropriately” for game days also means taking
the weather into account. Sometimes night games can get chilly, but it may be warm when
tailgating during the afternoon. My advice: Wear layers that you can easily add or remove
to make sure you’re a comfortable temperature all day! I’ve linked a few of my favorite
game day looks here.
3. Only bring what you really need
I used to take wayyy too much stuff with me to football games, but after 4 years of
tailgating as a student, I’ve narrowed down the necessities. Clemson has a new “clear bag
policy” that requires you to bring your belongings into the stadium in a see-through bag. I
love this small cross-body bag and this large monogrammed tote from Etsy - both are
“clear bag policy” approved! In my bag, I take my student ID/ticket, driver’s license, money
for concessions, make-up for touch ups, and my iPhone. (I use this sticker card holder from
Kate Spade to make sure I can access my cards easily– it’s a lifesaver!)
4. Stay in the game for as long as you can
The Clemson family prides itself on packing the stadium and supporting our team through
good games and bad games. If you’re trying to make the most of your game day experience
(especially if you’re a student), you should be there to sing the alma mater before kick-off,
and you should be on the field after the game to sing it again! Because the ACC allows fans
to “rush the field” following games, this has become a Clemson tradition that hopefully
never changes! Note: The SEC has rules that prevent this – sorry Gamecocks.
Go Tigers!
