Memorial Stadium — Attraction in Clemson

If you’re a fan of college football this is a place you will want to visit to see a game. Every college days this about their school or stadium but there’s truly no place on earth like this one. Clemson is the 33rd largest city or town in South Carolina until seven Saturdays in the fall. On game day they go Fromm 33rd to number 3! The quaint college town turns into a raging sea of orange and regalia. Tiger paws are everywhere. On the streets on the girls cheeks on bumpers and tents.... literally everywhere. The Tiger Rag plays all day and nothing gets you more pumped for game action than “The Song That Shakes the Southland”. The students and the fans are passionate and fun but most importantly they are welcoming and hospitable. The first time I went down I was amazed to see tailgaters inviting fans of the opposing team to share some barbecue or a beer. Growing up a Philadelphia eagles fan that’s something I’ve never seen. Once in the stadium the venue is perfect. This is a college football stadium. Not a place built for corporate guys to wine and dine their clients. It is an alcohol free stadium, except for the few luxury boxes which is great because you don’t see people more concerned about the beer lines than the game. Security is everywhere but almost invisible. I’ve been to many a game here and have never seen an issue in the stands with fighting or a drunken student causing a commotion. It is kid friendly as it is rare to hear a buffoon hollering four letter expletives. The seats are typical bleachers, metal, cold and small. If you’ve packed on a few since your college days you’ll be a bit tight. The sight lines are exceptional. Every seat gives you a view of the game. My recommendation is to always stay in the lower bowl and the tickets are listed by a single letter for the lowest seats closest to the field, a U in front of the letter indicating the upper portion of the lower bowl and then finally a TD before the letter indicating “top deck”. The top deck is incredibly steep it gives a great view of the game but if you’re squirrelly about heights keep that in mind. Memorial Stadium is known as “Death Valley” like the stadium at LSU however Clemson is the original one. Many fans think the name is derived from the fact that the stadium sits in a natural ravine and at the top of the hill sits the original Clemson Cemetary, making it Death Valley. Nope. In the forties Clemson used to open its season against the Presbyterian Blue Hose, in 1945 the tigers beat them 76-0. The head coach called Clemson the toughest stadium to play in because it was built during World War Two and it is built mainly from concrete not metal due to the metal shortage during the war. That concrete makes the stadium incredibly hot in early fall. The coach said “you haven’t felt anything until you’ve played in Death Valley in early fall! Frank Howard the then head coach at Clemson loved it and began referring to the stadium as Death Valley. The rock the players touch as the enter the stadium is an actual rock given to the head coach from a Clemson man as he traveled through Death Valley California. LSU began calling its stadium, which they formally referred to as Deaf Valley, by the term Death Valley in 1959 after defeating the Clemson tigers in the sugar bowl in 1958! The original Death Valley is an amazing place to watch the greatest sport in the world. Put it on the bucket list and make the trek. Trust me y’all won’t regret...

Oh boy, let me tell ya, Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC, is the bee's knees, the cat's pajamas, the whole nine yards of college football stadiums! Now, I'm not just whistlin' Dixie here; this place is a slice of pigskin paradise, especially if you're a fan of ol' Dabo Swinney and those Clemson Tigers.

First off, the atmosphere is just electric. You step into 'Death Valley,' and you can feel the spirit of the Tigers past and present. It's like walking into a family reunion where everyone's wearing orange, and the only thing on the menu is touchdowns and good times. And let me tell you, when the band strikes up "Tiger Rag," it's impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. It's like the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving all rolled into one, but with more orange.

Now, Dabo Swinney, that man is a national treasure. He's the kind of coach you'd want to have a backyard barbecue with, and then let him give a pep talk to your kids about life and football. The way he's turned the Clemson program into a powerhouse is nothing short of miraculous. It's like he's got a secret recipe for success, and the main ingredient is pure, unadulterated passion.

The stadium itself is a marvel. It's big enough to hold all your friends, their friends, and a couple of strangers you met in the parking lot tailgating. The seats are so close to the action; you can practically smell the sweat and the fresh-cut grass. And the jumbotron? It's like watching football on the side of a barn, only clearer and with instant replays.

Memorial Stadium is more than just a place to watch a game; it's a cornerstone of college football culture. It's where memories are made, legends are born, and every game feels like the most important one ever played. So, if you're a fan of football, fun, and the Clemson Tigers, then buddy, this place is for you. It's not just a stadium; it's a home away from home, especially if your home is decked out in Clemson memorabilia like mine. Go...

I like FSU and Alabama so Clemson is not my favorite team by any means lol. Having said that, attending a game here is awesome! One of my top 5 in all the college football stadiums I’ve seen games in no doubt. The Clemson campus is beautiful as are the girls who go to school here from what I saw, the stadium is set up very nicely on the campus and is a fantastic venue in all aspects.

The pregame entrance is fantastic with Howard’s Rock and running down the hill onto the field through the billowing orange smoke and fireworks. The atmosphere is electric throughout and the fans are great. Food is the cheapest I’ve ever seen in any stadium. $3 hotdogs, $6 for a soda with a souvenir cup, $2 bottled water, etc. A soda at Ohio State costs $17 yikes. $5 for a nicely done game program too. Bleachers were arked slightly so they were a little more comfortable than usual bleachers. Workers are very friendly as are the fans, had a great time hanging out with them. The only drawback I can think of is parking sucks if you aren’t Iptay at least, but I found a spot about a mile away for $40 in a medical office lot and it was convenient to get out after the game for the most part.

Clemson and Georgia are about 80 miles apart, and I’d go to 10 Clemson games before I’d go to another Georgia game. I’d love to come back to Clemson, you’d have to convince me to go...