5 Worst ACC Traditions
By: Roy Philpott
Let's be honest, the ACC has several traditions that are as good as you'll find in college football.
There is Clemson's Running Down the Hill. There is Florida State and Chief Osceola.
There is the Ramblin Wreck that literally was wrecked earlier this year. Virginia Tech's Enter Sandman entrance isn't too bad.
But there's also some bad ones. Really ones. For instance do you really fear that stupid turtle in College Park, Md.? What about piping in crowd noise for some of the smaller stadiums in the league? Is that even legal?
Of course, we here at CUTigers.com are ready to rank those "bad ones" in another edition of our preseason blog:
#5. DUKE'S LACK OF ATTENDANCE POLICY
- Wallace-Wade Stadium is anything but intimidating, but the lack of interest in Duke football makes a Saturday trip to Durham downright boring. In the grand scheme of things, this should go down as the worst tradition in the ACC, but so few people care, it comes in No. 5 on our list. By the way, Duke ranked 91st in the country in football attendance last season, averaging just over 19,000 fans per game. Poor Ted Roof.
#4. THE WOLF SYMBOL FROM N.C. STATE FANS
- How can a grown man feel comfortable touching his thumb to his two middle fingers while extending his outer two fingers straight up in the air to show support for his school? Here's a thought: he shouldn't. Yeah, N.C. State fans, we get it. It's supposed to look like a wolf. Great. The problem is you look like a 5-year old every single time you do it. Honestly, look in the mirror and try to tell yourself it's cool to make the little wolfie symbol with your hand. How awful.
3. FLORIDA STATE BAND PLAYING THE OPPOSITION'S FIGHT SONG
- Imagine yourself in the sweltering heat of Doak Campbell Stadium on a late September afternoon. Right before Florida State enters the field via one of the best entrances in all of college football, led by Chief Osceola and his flaming spear of death, the FSU Marching Chiefs have the decency to play your own team's fight song instead of their own. This isn't tiddlywinks. It's college football! Play your own damn song and get off the field.
#2.BOSTON COLLEGE PUMPING IN A RHYTHMIC BEAT THROUGHOUT THE STADIUM
- Chances are most fans reading this haven't made the trip to Chestnut Hill, Mass. just yet. That's okay. However, if you are one of the few that's travelled the 1,000 miles north then you immediately know what I'm talking about and need no further explanation. For starters, know that Alumi Stadium, which is tucked away approximately 15-20 miles away from downtown Boston, seats only 44,500 people. So, to create the illusion of more noise from such a small crowd, some genius decided it would be cool to play an uptempo drum beat through every loudspeaker in facility the ENTIRE GAME. It's not annoying, it's way beyond that. If anything it's sad because the fans in Boston just don't care enough about B.C. to get into the game without the aid of such nonsense.
#1. FEAR THE TURTLE
Say what? Fear what? A turtle? The same creature that tucks its head away in its protective shell when provoked? It's a bad slogan to begin with, but having the football team rub a statue of a turtle as they emerge from the locker room at Chevy Chase Credit Card Bank of America Loan Payoff Stadium before kickoff is even worse. And no, they don't touch the shell of the turtle, they touch the very top of the nose. Oh and by the way, this has nothing to do with the fact Maryland has the worst fans in the league. Nothing.
Let's be honest, the ACC has several traditions that are as good as you'll find in college football.
There is Clemson's Running Down the Hill. There is Florida State and Chief Osceola.
There is the Ramblin Wreck that literally was wrecked earlier this year. Virginia Tech's Enter Sandman entrance isn't too bad.
But there's also some bad ones. Really ones. For instance do you really fear that stupid turtle in College Park, Md.? What about piping in crowd noise for some of the smaller stadiums in the league? Is that even legal?
Of course, we here at CUTigers.com are ready to rank those "bad ones" in another edition of our preseason blog:
#5. DUKE'S LACK OF ATTENDANCE POLICY
- Wallace-Wade Stadium is anything but intimidating, but the lack of interest in Duke football makes a Saturday trip to Durham downright boring. In the grand scheme of things, this should go down as the worst tradition in the ACC, but so few people care, it comes in No. 5 on our list. By the way, Duke ranked 91st in the country in football attendance last season, averaging just over 19,000 fans per game. Poor Ted Roof.
#4. THE WOLF SYMBOL FROM N.C. STATE FANS
- How can a grown man feel comfortable touching his thumb to his two middle fingers while extending his outer two fingers straight up in the air to show support for his school? Here's a thought: he shouldn't. Yeah, N.C. State fans, we get it. It's supposed to look like a wolf. Great. The problem is you look like a 5-year old every single time you do it. Honestly, look in the mirror and try to tell yourself it's cool to make the little wolfie symbol with your hand. How awful.
3. FLORIDA STATE BAND PLAYING THE OPPOSITION'S FIGHT SONG
- Imagine yourself in the sweltering heat of Doak Campbell Stadium on a late September afternoon. Right before Florida State enters the field via one of the best entrances in all of college football, led by Chief Osceola and his flaming spear of death, the FSU Marching Chiefs have the decency to play your own team's fight song instead of their own. This isn't tiddlywinks. It's college football! Play your own damn song and get off the field.
#2.BOSTON COLLEGE PUMPING IN A RHYTHMIC BEAT THROUGHOUT THE STADIUM
- Chances are most fans reading this haven't made the trip to Chestnut Hill, Mass. just yet. That's okay. However, if you are one of the few that's travelled the 1,000 miles north then you immediately know what I'm talking about and need no further explanation. For starters, know that Alumi Stadium, which is tucked away approximately 15-20 miles away from downtown Boston, seats only 44,500 people. So, to create the illusion of more noise from such a small crowd, some genius decided it would be cool to play an uptempo drum beat through every loudspeaker in facility the ENTIRE GAME. It's not annoying, it's way beyond that. If anything it's sad because the fans in Boston just don't care enough about B.C. to get into the game without the aid of such nonsense.
#1. FEAR THE TURTLE
Say what? Fear what? A turtle? The same creature that tucks its head away in its protective shell when provoked? It's a bad slogan to begin with, but having the football team rub a statue of a turtle as they emerge from the locker room at Chevy Chase Credit Card Bank of America Loan Payoff Stadium before kickoff is even worse. And no, they don't touch the shell of the turtle, they touch the very top of the nose. Oh and by the way, this has nothing to do with the fact Maryland has the worst fans in the league. Nothing.
posted by Roy Philpott @ 11:52 AM
47 Comments
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47 Comments:
While this is a great read because most of it is true, I have to admit that I hate seeing State on here. The tradition you speak of is WEAK and we need to change it. Maybe this blog will help.
You got no creditability with that post. I personally know many Maryland fans who went to Death Valley last year. The result? A Maryland win in the last second. I may seem like a bitter person, you were the person that came attacking the Terp fans and I might say in a pompous posting manner. "Vitriol", can't take the truth! THE SPIN STOPS HERE. FREDTERP
Fear the turtle is right you dumb, Howard's rock loving moron. The fact that the rock was brought in from somewhere else is stupid enough. And you know what's turning into an awful tradition, Clemson Football. Oh and the AWFUL stupid purple uniforms that your stupid team wears. God Clemson sucks in so many ways you have no idea, have fun being a second rate academic school.
I guess you don't have too much to talk about right now, being that the season still has yet to begin. However, I don't think bashing other schools "traditions" or what you label traditions is the right thing way to go, especially schools in the same conference. In regards to the venom directed at Maryland; do you really think alumni and students really walk around and feel that "Fear the Turtle" is for real? I know we didn't pick an original mascot like the tiger, but we try and have some fun at our own expense. The idea of self deprecation seemingly escapes you. As far as rubbing Testudo's nose is concerned, EVERY student at Maryland does this for good luck before exams, that tradition is just an extension of what every student does. There are a number of turtles on our campus, not just the one in front of Gossett team house. Maybe before spewing your garbage, you'd do a little research about a schools tradition in your own conference before you bash it, mmmkay?
I wonder if the Maryland students also rub the tops of the batteries they like to throw out on the field? Does that bring them good luck as well? Seriously, I'd like to know.
Now, now children. Sometimes the truth hurts. I am a Clemson fan and believe that one of our "new" traditions should be on that list. During Tiger Rag most of the stadium says WOO HOOO WOO HOO HOO HOO during a specific part of the fight song. I want to cut my ears off every time I hear that. I agree with just evrything except the FSU one, I believe it is kinda classy. The NC State thing is just gay. I my self kinda of like the slogan fear the Turtle because of the humor behind it. Overall decent blog, keep up the good work
This post just goes to show why Clemson Fans and other Clemson Athletic Supports are so disliked. You might spend your time better writing about the good things at Clemson (if you can find them) then bringing down others but then take is what small people do.
It's not as if the Maryland mascot is a Snapping turtle or anything else remotely ferocious... it is a "Terrapin". How do you FEAR that! Almost as bad as a chicken.
At least our mascot is indigenous to the state, let alone continent that the team in question is from.
Looking forward to the exhale from South Carolina as Clemson's hopes for a decent football team are crushed again...
Hey, we're Clemson we were great back in the day when we cheated. Now let us pontificate on what makes a great tradition. Clemson hasn't been anymore relevant to the national football scene than any other ACC team not names FSU or Miami in nearly two decades. Of course the blogger is too obtuse to notice this, no surprise there. I will give Clemson fans this though, they're generally nice people despite not being too bright.
You think the Wolf sign is weak? What about Texas' Hook 'Em Horns? Or the Florida Gator chomp? Pretty gay, too, right?
Guess what...they're not meant to look cool. It's something unique to a fanbase done primarily by students to get into the spirit of the game.
I personally think the little circular arm wave you throw in at the end of your fight song when you (finally) get to the letter "N" is pretty lame, too, but I understand it for what it is--something a fan does at a college sporting event.
Look out!!! HERE COME THE BATTERIES!!!! LMAO. How did they get them to come through my computer screen and hit me in the face?
The worst tradition in the ACC: Tommy Bowden
Best tradition in the ACC: Clemson mediocracy during Tommy Bowden's tenure.
This coming from a school that has to spell the schools name every game to make sure they get it right. I guess clemson fans wish they had anything unique about their game day. So sad.
I kind of find it funny how you think the wolf sign is childish when your fight song consists of you having to spell your team's name aloud. but that's just me.
I am going to Washington, DC , eerr, I mean College Park, MD. for a game or two this year. But I have my battery proof helmet with me, so I should be OK.
The only thing MD fans are good for is ripping on Dook.
Florida State playing the other team's fight song is a classy move.
And pretty sure the Terps own you at everything except hot girls. But that doesn't matter. We'll be able to hang with them while we stuff dollar bills down their g string when they go to work.
Maybe I will get my MBA from Clemson. I hear you can get a minority scholarship for NOT having Down Syndrome.
The Terps "own" us?
Huh?
For my first two years at Clemson(I'm a senior now), we didn't lose to Maryland in any of the major sports. A clean, two year sweep in basketball, baseball, and football.
If you want to talk about being owned, we'll bring up West Virginia's possession of your asses.
Who cares about Maryland, really? A bunch of t-shirt fans and wife beater wearing guys who are so angry at their surroundings that they throw things at opposing fans when they lose? What's so great about that? What's so great about tailgating on a piece of asphalt?
awww all these MD fans have their panties in a wad...
seriously, I live in MD and people walk around and even say the slogan in some fashion (ie. Go TERPS... FEAR THE TURTLE!! YEAHHHH!!!)
And this is not done in a joking manner, it is done in a very serious tone like it is something that gets them pumped up and makes other fall backward in fear.
And FYI does having a lame tradition affect a win or loss, no! it just makes your team look retarded.
But I am with another Clemson poster in that the woohooo should of been there.
Roy- I am a dyed in the wool Clemson fan, grad and former walkon but I think two out of five of your "worst traditions" do not deserve critcism and they are:
1.) FSU, I think, got playing the opposing teams fight song from the service academies who do it as a sign of respect.
2.) Give Maryland their due- they are turtles and should be proud of who they are. Also, as an old country boy, I can tell you that a big old snapping turtle can do some damage to you and its prey.
Cody, West Virginia has won the last three but before that Maryland won four straight by a score of 155-51. Bite your tongue. FREDTERP
We have a chance of getting beat by three of five of those teams. We lost to two of the five last year. What exactly gives us the right to complain. Roy really gets creative when he cant think of anything else to complain about. Jesus Roy football season is here already give some better reading material at least.
"How can a grown man feel comfortable touching his thumb to his two middle fingers while extending his outer two fingers straight up in the air to show support for his school? Here's a thought: he shouldn't. Yeah, N.C. State fans, we get it. It's supposed to look like a wolf. Great. The problem is you look like a 5-year old every single time you do it. Honestly, look in the mirror and try to tell yourself it's cool to make the little wolfie symbol with your hand. How awful."
Wow, how can one disagree with such a well reasoned, convincing argument. You've got us there, chief.
^By the way, since I'm speaking to Clemson fans...that was sarcasm.
C
L
E
M
S
O
...CLEMSO!
You suck, your blog sucks and Maryland beat your sorry team last year. Hahahahahaha!
Maryland fans are nothing but a bunch of terds, and all of their responses to Roy's great blog prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt. Byrd Stadium (or whatever you want to call it) is an absolute joke. Maryland fans suck. Their girls are ugly and The Fridge is exactly that - a Fridge. Maryland got lucky winning in Death Valley last year- but give them credit. They won't have crap to say after this year however, just like 2005. Maryland is a DIVISION II school with a bunch of idiots as fans.
Suck it Maryland! Get em Roy!!
I keep seeing the Maryland fans speak of how they beat us last year, sure you did but what does that have to do with your lame turtle? Beating us makes your turtle rubbing less lame? I fail to see how that works, and it certainly doesn't make your fans anymore classy.......I mean seriously throwing things at other fans?
Purple uniforms and WoooHooo did not make the list? Give me a bigger glass of your kool-aid.
I don't know what's more ridiculous; the article, people getting upset about the article, me reading this stuff, or me responding. Wow! We really need football season to start, don't we?
Wow, between the MD fans spewing their trash (since they cannot throw anything yet), to the USuC trolls, it seems Roy struck a nerve with his blog. Too bad it didn't encompass SEC as well so he could have included running through fire extinguishers to a 70's theme song.
with respect to Blur from PackPride.com. His post sums it up perfectly:
Traditions I would love to see continue are:
Pictures of Tommy Bowden's daughter all over the internet.
Having your place kicker that looks like "Pat" from Saturday Night Live model your new uniforms.
Tommy Bowden whining about Wake Forest, USC, NC State, and everybody else.
Fear the Grapes! WOOO HOOO.
"Maryland got lucky winning in Death Valley last year"
We were playing against the entire zoo last year...Tigers AND Zebras. We had one safety overturned on a ridiculous replay and on the next play a bogus spot overturned another safety. Your OL was holding all day, yet the Tigers weren't called for a single penalty from scrimmage in the entire game. You're d*mned right we were lucky to win that game.
Hmm, so let me get this straight:
Rubbing a bronzed turtle nose and running out onto the field = worst.tradition.ever.
Rubbing a f-ing rock, then running down a tiny hill onto the field holding hands like a ghey version of the Von Trapps = cool
Thanks for clarifying. Idiot.
Rubbing the rock and running down the hill is widely held as one of the top traditions in college football.
"The Most Exciting 25 Seconds in College Football".
You rub a turtle, do the slow wave and throw D batteries, and cuss at players and fans in front of your kids. You guys have a great tradition there. I guess with your hero being Ralph Friedgen, you have to eat or be eaten around MD.
Nobody seems to be able to explain the difference between rubbing a rock and rubbing the nose of a turtle.
All I've seen is:
Rock - "It's a great tradition!"
Turtle - "That's dumb!"
Very sharp. Hopefully the next blog will be a writeup on the Clemson Alumni summer vacation at retard camp.
I like fear the turtle.
I ever like the wolfpack hand thing, especially when their cheerleaders do it.
What I don't like is the clemson purple. You guys are an embarassment to the ACC wearing purple and losing to Kentucky. Kentucky?
You folks who don't understand the Wolf sign tradition just don't get the fun of belonging to Skull & Bones and believing in the Trilateral Commission.
Having been born in South Carolina, but later chosen to become an NC State alum and fan, I think the problem is that Clemson fans don't have opposing thumbs, so they are jealous of those who are able to perform actions requiring that type of dexterity.
Hmmm. We touch a Turtle and you touch a rock....a stupid ROCK.
Me, I am all for traditions, which include Clemson touching a rock.
I do chuckle at the wolf thingy. I always like to imitate it running away barking like it is in pain...hahaha.
Traditional Clemson dance party:
http://lelombrik.free.fr/LoMBriK/dance.swf
You have to put UVA's use of Ozzy Osborne to get the fans fired up on the list somewhere.
How about Miami's tradition of being thug-U? If that's not the worst, I don't know what is.
(Ducks to avoid helmet being thrown)
Howard's Rock? All these years most fans thought Clemson stroked some guy named Howard's C0ck.
I guess the rock is a little better.
Have you ever been to a game at BC's Alumni? I've gone to just about every game there for over 30 years. I have NEVER heard this drum beat piped through the speakers that you talk about never mind it being a "tradition".
I'm a BC fan. I agree that piping the marching band through the stadium PA system is weak. But I would hardly call it a tradition.
Also, BC is 4 miles from downtown Boston, not 15-20.
How about the next five?
6. The inflatable yellow jacket.
7. Piped-in music, be-it Zombie, or Sandman, or Eye of the Tiger. Re-processed cheese.
8. GT-Maryland on ABC instead of OU-Texas.
9. That faggy song Virginia sings.
10. Thursday night football.
Perhaps we can add a few "newer" ACC traditions as well:
11. The gold chains on the Miami fans.
12. 1000 mile roadtrips.
13. The half-empty Orange Bowl.
14. The Tire Bowl.
15. Jacksonville.
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