In the parking lots were many people tailgating before game time, tents were erected. People were walking all over. I parked my car, approached a tent to inquire who and where I would find the best people to speak with about the fan experience. The group of twenty something’s immediately told me that I should talk to the people down by the river; and, in particular the “Cheap Seats”. Initially, I didn’t understand what they meant by the “Cheap Seats”. I was excited to see all the campers and instantly thought of the experience I had at LSU. At LSU everyone parked in RV’s and partied all weekend long as they attended baseball games. (I was told numerous times, “That was nothing. You should come during football season”.) Here it was the same type of setup but with a wonderful view incorporated into the experience. Going back to my car, I selected a new place to park, under some trees, on the corner next to the river beside a large camper. I approached a few guys to inquire about their baseball experience here, they immediately supplied me with a cold refreshment and explained to me about the “Cheap Seats”. I was very excited to hear what they were about to tell me. I asked if I could profile them and they didn’t know what to say at first. There was a lot of their group who were down near the lake at that particular moment. And, some were on the lake which was near by. A lady, who wants to remain nameless came into the area and was introduced to me. She was very confident and quite welcoming and she explained that tickets are hard to come by for the “Cheap Seats”, since there are only 40 issued. Now the section is referred to as “a suite”, she said with a chuckle. She told me she would see what she could do to get me into the “Cheap Seats”. She talked with another of the group and came through with a ticket. I was very gracious and blown away by her hospitality.
I was equally blown away by how beautifully manicured the baseball field was. It was so perfect the turf looked artificial, but greener and was REAL deal. Regular readers know I don’t like the artificial turf that Texas Tech and Texas utilize, I just think it takes away from the game. John Scketa explained to me that Clemson has an unbelievable turf management program at the school. He pointed out to me that a famous professor on the subject and volunteers helped to maintain the field between innings. I spoke to John, who is retired from Clemson (26 years, 4 months, 9 days employed). He was in charge of the fan experience at all the different sporting venues and explained how everything has evolved during the years. “Years ago you couldn’t play the music the way you can today”, he said. He began incorporating that 10 years ago pushing the limits, since the fans really enjoyed this type of thing the NCAA. Then, school relented. (The old adage, “If you can’t fight ’em, join ’em!”) One thing John says he was able accomplish was to always report the weather in Omaha, Nebraska, just to remind everyone what the goal was – Home of the College World Series. I had a great conversation with John. If I write a book about this experience, I will share some of the boundary pushing things and inside jokes they did.
The players and coaches love the “Cheap Seats”. When they won the Super Regionals a few years ago, the players rushed the “Cheap Seats” to celebrate. When they reached them, the Champaign showers commenced, with the players climbing the fence and the party was on! To view – click, You Tube video. On this particular night Miami beat Clemson in 12 innings, 3-2. I had a great time at the game and was included in another Clemson tradition. After the game, the fans and players sing the school song. I walked backed to where everyone was camping and stayed up talking about my trip with all the wonderful people I met. They were so gracious to me and made sure to feed me with the 12:30 a.m. taco making extravaganza! I have to say this is one of my favorite experiences so far on this trip and I would love to come back again! Thank you “Cheap Seaters” for sharing your experience with me, I will forever be grateful!! By the way, the “Cheap Seats” are no longer cheap. They are some of the most expensive seats in the stadium and there is a small waiting list to get them! Also, like LSU, I was told to come to a football game to see how crazy it gets.
NOTE: I updated by biography since I hadn’t really touched it in three months. Click here if you would like to check it out: “biography“. That will get you where you want to “look”. If you have read it before, just scroll down and look for the update from this past week.
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I was one of few that climbed the ladder to the wooded top deck of the cheap seats while in college! It was an experience I will never forget. It was quite entertaining. Those that frequented the cheap seats heckled the right fielder like no tomorrow, so much so that you could even see the player having some amusement out of it. Most of what I heard was all in good fun. I guess it was just so random to the player to have a bunch of baseball fans up on top of a brightly painted bus on a rickety platform yelling at you that sometimes the player couldn’t keep a straight face and would even turn around and shake their head. I haven’t been back in ages and had no idea they actually incorporated the bus into the stadium. Great article, and great news!
Wow maybe I should check out college baseball. Wish I could go to a game with a great fan like you. 🙂
My nieces went to Clemson … maybe this is why!! 😀 I’ll have to find out! Great post!