When Clemson athletic director Graham Neff came to Dabo Swinney earlier this year with ESPN’s idea of moving the annual rivalry game against South Carolina to Black Friday, Swinney shot down the idea on the spot. Saturday matchups in Death Valley are way more than a tradition to the Clemson head coach; they’re imperative for the town, fans and program, plain and simple.
Swinney announced the decision during a Sunday news conference. “This is a small town, and game days are critical for businesses,” Swinney said. He added that Saturdays allow students to return home after Thanksgiving Break to create a better atmosphere, while families can truly enjoy the holiday and then attend the game. Swinney also spoke of these aspects being factors in recruiting and ultimate program success.
While Swinney is open to the rivalry being in Columbia on a Friday, he’s steadfast in keeping Clemson home games on Saturdays. “It’s what’s best for our community and our program,” he added.
This coming weekend, Clemson and South Carolina are set to meet for a record 121st time as the Tigers host their rivals, the Gamecocks, in Memorial Stadium. The kickoff is at noon on ESPN, and another chapter in the storied series is waiting in the wings.