My wife and I are enjoying a super visit to Cabo and are being squired around by none other than our own CaboTiger. It's pretty neat having local knowledge of the best spots to play, eat, etc. in an area of the world we've never visited. We're very lucky -- thanks JP!
Yesterday provided 3 examples of why being a Tiger in 2015 beats the heck out of pulling for the other guys. First, we spent several hours with a group of 25-30 yr olds who are here for a bachelors party. Most graduated from Oklahoma and a couple went to Oklahoma State. Another was a Texas grad. Each of them were jealous of where Clemson sits today. The admin/coaching trainwreck which is Texas, plus an Oklahoma team without a solid Venables defense, really creates uncertainty about the future for those fans. And really amazingly, the Oklahoma guys just want to see a winner from their state, regardless of program. Not quite the animosity we have for our instate rival!
Then later in the day we're sitting at a pool bar chatting it up with a lady and her daughter, when we say it's time to head up and get ready for our football game. The younger girl who lettered in college volleyball, asked what team we were pulling for? I said Clemson. She says "who are they playing"? I go "Louisville". She and her mother laugh loudly and tell us that's where they went to college. And that they live near Louisville! Both holler "go Cards" as we're leaving. I looked back and reminded them that ESPN was carrying the game at 5:30. They said they'd check the internet for the score later. Wow, a really rabid fan-base it seems.
Last, we were with JP at a sports bar watching the game and enjoyed several hours sitting next to a very knowledgeable West Virginia grad. In the first 10 minutes he of course messed with us about the Orange Bowl beatdown. But for the next 3 hours all he talked about was Clemson and how bright both the present and future looked. He was also emphatic how much we were gonna love Prez Clements and how huge the loss was for WV when he departed. Ironic considering what happened in Miami just a couple of years back!
Winning sure does make a difference in how not only WE feel, but as well the positive respect/impact earned across the country. It's awesome to finally have the fans, boosters, admin, and BOT all working for the same goals for a change!
Yesterday provided 3 examples of why being a Tiger in 2015 beats the heck out of pulling for the other guys. First, we spent several hours with a group of 25-30 yr olds who are here for a bachelors party. Most graduated from Oklahoma and a couple went to Oklahoma State. Another was a Texas grad. Each of them were jealous of where Clemson sits today. The admin/coaching trainwreck which is Texas, plus an Oklahoma team without a solid Venables defense, really creates uncertainty about the future for those fans. And really amazingly, the Oklahoma guys just want to see a winner from their state, regardless of program. Not quite the animosity we have for our instate rival!
Then later in the day we're sitting at a pool bar chatting it up with a lady and her daughter, when we say it's time to head up and get ready for our football game. The younger girl who lettered in college volleyball, asked what team we were pulling for? I said Clemson. She says "who are they playing"? I go "Louisville". She and her mother laugh loudly and tell us that's where they went to college. And that they live near Louisville! Both holler "go Cards" as we're leaving. I looked back and reminded them that ESPN was carrying the game at 5:30. They said they'd check the internet for the score later. Wow, a really rabid fan-base it seems.
Last, we were with JP at a sports bar watching the game and enjoyed several hours sitting next to a very knowledgeable West Virginia grad. In the first 10 minutes he of course messed with us about the Orange Bowl beatdown. But for the next 3 hours all he talked about was Clemson and how bright both the present and future looked. He was also emphatic how much we were gonna love Prez Clements and how huge the loss was for WV when he departed. Ironic considering what happened in Miami just a couple of years back!
Winning sure does make a difference in how not only WE feel, but as well the positive respect/impact earned across the country. It's awesome to finally have the fans, boosters, admin, and BOT all working for the same goals for a change!
