Clemson will have enthusiasts at Memorial Stadium this season.
Death Valley would possibly not be complete as usual, only about a quarter of their skill when the No. 1 Tigers in the preseason have their first game on September 19 against The Citadel. But given the alternatives, two of the Power Five meetings have selected not even to play this season and their ACC colleague, Duke, will start playing in an empty house stadium, some enthusiasts are bigger than anything.
“It’s huge,” said Andrew Booth, Clemson’s defensive part, the Thursday after practice and only an hour after the official announcement. “We thought we’d just be there. Having that number of people is a great blessing. (Otherwise), it felt as if we were doing scrums. It’s going to be beautiful.
Clemson announced Thursday afternoon that he would only have about 19,000 enthusiasts in a facility that could house more than 81,000. Fans will basically sit in teams of two or 4 in the stadium. Taconear is not recommended and the mask will be mandatory for those who do not eat or drink.
Special authorization for giant equipment granted to Clemson through Governor Henry McMaster, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and also the Department of Health and Environmental Control on how to treat the COVID-19 coronavirus protocol.
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“We are grateful … for our task of welcoming enthusiasts to our headquarters this fall,” Dan Radakovich, Clemson’s athletics director, said in a press release. “Our sports and IPTAY team worked tirelessly and took a full look at the joy of game day.
“Clemson sought the opinion of external experts in medicine, public fitness and facilities to plan the process, as well as the University’s Strategic Operations Group. With the data available today, we are confident of our ability to allow enthusiasts to take part safely in matches, which is incredibly vital for our students-athletes, coaches, enthusiasts and the local community. We will continue to monitor recommendations and make changes if necessary.”
Clemson will first reach out to donors who decided not to opt-out this season. More details will be released in a 10 a.m. Friday news conference.
“I just heard this news walking here,” said Jack Maddox, Clemson’s long snapper after training. “Obviously, it’s wonderful news. I mean, I went into the season in the hope that my mother would just come down. But having the capacity to be 19,000 is wonderful. We’ll take everything we can. This team knows that the environment is going to be different, but the game doesn’t change. We prepare as we do. It’s wonderful news that we can play in front of other people and we’re delighted.”
Clemson Athletics and IPTAY’s retirement organization will touch donors, according to the statement, who have not selected and opted out, the so-called “red blouse season”, for premium price ticket holders, and from there.
As a component of the venue’s new plan, enthusiasts will be divided into teams of two or 4 participants, scattered around Memorial Stadium while dressed in a snack or drinking mask.