I admit it... Clemson football makes me happy!

I've worn a lot of orange this fall... it's not my favorite color so much as it is a visible reminder of my connection to the university that I love so much. When I wear my Clemson sweatshirt in my village, people ask, "What's a Clemson?" People on post say, "You must be from South Carolina, because I don't know many Clemson fans from outside the state." As me about Clemson and I am very happy to brag about my university, its programs, its community, its students, and yes, its football team.

I loved football before I loved Clemson. My dad taught me everything I know about sweeps, pitches, blitzes and holding. I feel blessed that while I eventually stopped following the NFL, watching college football has remained a favorite way to pass the time.

I've been a Clemson fan since my first game as a student in 1977. We lost to Maryland in the first home game, so there wasn't any reason to think that season would be different from the ones before. There had not been a winning season at Clemson since the 1960's but our new coach, Charlie Pell, brought a lot of enthusiasm to the student body. It helped that we could attend the games for free. We went to a bowl game that year, losing to Pitt in the Gator Bowl (that Tony Dorsett can run!). Even so, Clemson football had turned a corner.

In 1978, we only lost one game, to Georgia at Georgia. We went on to beat Ohio State in the Gator Bowl... there was lots of excitement, even though our coach left to go to the University of Florida before the end of the season. In 1979, we had a winning season, but lost to Baylor in the Peach Bowl. In 1980, my senior year, we ended up 6-5 but beat South Carolina at home, which always makes things better.

The 1981 season was my first as a graduate and season ticket holder. My tickets were in the end zone, but I usually found my way into the student section to sing with the Chorus (yes, we sang at every game). That was an amazing year. And by the middle of the season, we knew that team was special. We went undefeated that year, and had a great time in Miami, winning against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl and taking home the National Championship.

In 1983, Clemson opened the new upper deck, and my 45 yard line seats were just the ticket, even though they were 2 rows from the top of the stadium. In 1987, I left South Carolina for Duke Divinity School, and when asked by people what the hardest part of making the decision to go was, I always said without hesitation, "Giving up my season Clemson football tickets". And I was serious.

Since then, Clemson has only had a few losing seasons, but we've all longed for the magic of 1981. Maybe this is our year. Maybe it's not. But even more than winning football games, I'm excited to see the way that our team is being coached and living out good life values in the world.

I'm posting four links here. They are the essence of what I love about being a Clemson Tiger. And while we have a big game this weekend (and every weekend afterward), I most proud to be connected to a university sports program that wants its students to be good citizens of the world, not just good athletes.

ClemsonLIFE visits Clemson Football - grab a tissue!