The newest month before the online game got its express regarding crisis because the well

It had been 1977, new week of your own yearly competition sporting events games anywhere between Clemson and you can the latest College or university away from Sc, the entire year away from “The newest Hook,” when Steve Thicker ’79 hit Jerry Butler ’80 so you can win during the the last few seconds.

Zan Wells nevertheless will get excited whenever she covers it. “It absolutely was my tip,” she states, “color Tiger Paws out-of Greenville as high as Columbia.”

Their own husband, Joel Wells ’57, purchased on suggestion, and additionally they been really works. Zan made stencils from brown kraft report; they figured out the correct Sherwin-Williams paint colour of lime. They examined the actual idea within driveway.

Joel stored a meeting out of almost every other alumni and you can loved ones who had been equally keen – during the Escape Inn for the We-twenty six from inside the Clinton. The guy and you can Zan distributed kraft papers themes of the Tiger Paw also paint needs. A couple of days until the games, the new themes have been distributed to a more impressive class that have rigorous information.

50 short teams was basically tasked just one or a couple strange-designated kilometer markers ranging from Mauldin and Columbia, which have advice as from the the designated mile marker on dos a great.m., happy to color an effective Tiger Paw in the exact middle of the newest right-give way regarding We-385 and i-twenty-six.

The initial paw within the Mauldin ended up being allotted to Joel’s cousin Jimmy Wells ’54. Predicated on Zan, Jimmy and Friend Wallace ’56 hit their attraction, left and you can got the equipment aside if the Mauldin Police drove up-and inquired about whatever they have been doing.

“Altering motorists” are the brand new short impulse, and additionally they put everything into the vehicle. Some time spooked, it didn’t return to end.

Just after you to, my personal cellular phone rang, and you can trustee emeritus Allen Wood requested, “But what are the tale about whenever Tiger Paws had been painted completely off Greenville so you’re able to Columbia?

Thus Zan and Joel decorated this one when they finished its individual assignment. “Following i drove as much as Columbia to ensure these were most of the painted,” claims Zan.

Cal McMeekin ’65 ended up being assigned the past distance marker upcoming with the Columbia with the I-twenty-six. He was prepared. He had taken an effective jigsaw and you can a layer away from step 3/4-inch plywood and you may utilized the brown report stencil in order to make good durable plywood stencil. “Which have a paint roller,” according to him, “you might put you to down on the fresh roadway and have now it done in fifteen to twenty moments.”

That basic paw went so quickly it made a decision to keep going – “down Huger Roadway, so you can Bluff Roadway, and on with the arena.”

They certainly were equipped with CB radios, and each class had a one-date “handle” to determine their location and you can report achievement

“We coated an extra paw after I-126 where Elmwood Opportunity forks out over brand new kept,” says McMeekin. “From the a distance off Huger Roadway we place a 3rd paw.” As they was latin sД±cak kadД±nlar basically doing one to 3rd paw, it pointed out that they certainly were almost in direct front side of the Richland County Sheriff’s Agency and you may state prison.

“I ran across it wasn’t new best matter getting a good 34-year-old having a spouse and you will loved ones to be performing,” says McMeekin. “24 hours later, the last paw to the Huger Road starred in The official newsprint also a story in regards to the images.” You to definitely photographs however hangs in the McMeekin’s work environment within their home.

It’s the sort of prank you might expect out-of a group out-of people. But, McMeekin states, “These paws were not decorated by the children, but by thirty five- to fifty-year-olds which have a love of Clemson and you may a soul of getting fun.”

Editor’s notice: Regarding the slip 2022 point, i went a story concerning basic Tiger Paws coated on the trail leading to Clemson. You will want to talk to Cal McMeekin.”

That call become a process that is finished with this specific story – and all of our gratitude so you’re able to Allen Timber for giving us a rule.