Clemson's Indoor Football Facility Has Immediate Impact

By David Yannarella on January 29, 2013

January 25th, 2013 will be a day to remember for Clemson fans everywhere.

On a day where the weather was horrid and sleet was beginning to accumulate, some dedicated fans traversed the worsening conditions and found shelter beneath the roof of Clemson Athletics’ newest creation, an indoor practice facility for the football team. Fans of all ages came out and walked on the artificial turf emblazoned with the signature tiger paw. I had the opportunity to attend the dedication ceremony, which to the delight of all involved was taking place in the newly-constructed building.

The ceremony started with a brief introduction by Chandler Catanzaro, and was followed by speeches by current Athletic Director Dan Radakovich, former Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips, and head coach Dabo Swinney. Each of them repeated statements lauding the impact that the building will have on practices and recruiting. Coach Swinney said during his speech that he was “proud of the investment the University has made” in the football program, saying that the facility has already paid large dividends through helping the team properly prepare for the environment they would face in the Georgia Dome for the Chick Fil A Bowl, where the Tigers upset then-ranked no. 7 LSU.

From walking around the facility, it seems pretty basic, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. Of course there is a full-sized football field that takes up the majority of the ground level, but there is also a full weight room, allowing players coming off of injuries to be closer to the rest of the team. There is also a training room, which will remove the need to transport players injured during practice across Perimeter Road and back to Death Valley. There is a large display and a top-of-the-line audio system, allowing the team to prepare for tough road games by simulating hostile stadiums. There’s also a scoreboard in each end zone, allowing for more realistic scrimmages and simulations of certain scenarios, since players could look at play clocks or at how much time is left in a game.

Another way that this building will be useful is as a recruiting tool. Recruits can walk in and know that practices wouldn’t have to be cut short due to inclement weather, and that they wouldn’t  have to practice in the extreme cold during bowl practices. Many recruits who have visited campus since the bowl game have talked or tweeted about the indoor facility, and it may factor into some recruits’ decisions more than some would believe. While not the most important thing on a recruit’s list, many want to see that a school supports the football team in its entirety, and this facility shows overwhelming support for the program and an interest in the program’s future.

To summarize my experience, I would agree with most in that this facility could change the path of Clemson football. It elevates Clemson among many of the elite schools, and will be a valuable asset as the team continues to develop. I would also like to thank the Clemson fan base, a fan base so dedicated that they would drive through a winter storm to see something that will help the football team succeed. I believe it is not out of the realm of possibility that this facility will be the factor that propels Clemson into the ranks of the elite, and I am excited that the fan base as a whole will be able to see the transformation right before their eyes.

Until next time, God Bless, and Go Tigers!

 

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format