The new week preceding the overall game got its show away from drama since better

by Kurt Johnson

The new week preceding the overall game got its show away from drama since better

It absolutely was 1977, the brand new day of your yearly competition football video game anywhere between Clemson and the newest College or university regarding Sc, the season out-of “The latest Connect,” whenever Steve Fuller ’79 strike Jerry Butler ’80 so you’re able to earn for the the previous couple of moments.

Zan Wells however gets delighted when she covers they. “It actually was my personal idea,” she states, “decorate Tiger Paws away from Greenville of up to Columbia.”

Her husband, Joel Wells ’57, ordered for the tip, as well as come work. Zan produced stencils out of brownish kraft papers; they determined a proper Sherwin-Williams paint shade of lime. It checked out the suggestion in their driveway.

Joel held a conference away from other alumni and household members who have been just as keen – during the Escape Inn into I-26 in Clinton. The guy and you can Zan marketed kraft papers templates of the Tiger Paw in addition to color demands. Several days up until the game, the layouts had been shared with a bigger category that have strict guidelines.

Fifty brief organizations was basically tasked either one otherwise a couple strange-designated distance markers ranging from Mauldin and you can Columbia, that have rules are at the their designated kilometer marker on dos a beneficial.m., prepared to paint a great Tiger Paw in the center of the right-hands way of We-385 and that i-twenty-six.

The original paw in the Mauldin had been assigned to Joel’s brother Jimmy Wells ’54. According to Zan, Jimmy and Buddy Wallace ’56 attained its attraction, left and you can got the equipment away when the Mauldin Police drove up and asked about whatever they have been doing.

“Modifying drivers” is actually new quick reaction, plus they put that which you into the vehicle. A little while spooked, they did not go back to finish.

Just after that, my mobile phone rang, and you will trustee emeritus Allen Wood asked, “However, exactly what are the facts regarding when Tiger Paws was indeed painted all the way away from Greenville to help you Columbia?

Thus Zan and Joel painted this once they completed its individual task. “Upcoming i drove all the way to Columbia to make sure they certainly were most of the painted,” claims Zan.

Cal McMeekin ’65 was assigned the very last kilometer marker coming for the Columbia on I-twenty-six. He was prepared. He previously drawn an excellent jigsaw and you may a sheet out-of 3/4-inches plywood and you will made use of the brown report stencil to create an excellent durable plywood stencil. “Having a painting roller,” he states, “you could potentially place that down on the brand new roadway as well as have it done in 15 to 20 moments.”

You to definitely first paw went so quickly they made a decision to keep going – “off Huger Path, in order to Bluff Road, and on to the arena.”

These were armed with CB radios, each class had a-one-date “handle” to understand the location and you may report end

“We decorated another paw after We-126 where Elmwood Path forks out to the brand new left,” states McMeekin. “Regarding a kilometer down Huger Street we placed a 3rd paw.” Because they was in fact completing that third paw, they realized that they were nearly in direct top of the Richland gГјzel kД±z Porto Riko Condition Sheriff’s Service and you may county jail.

“I realized it wasn’t the new smartest situation to have an effective 34-year-dated that have a spouse and you can family unit members to-be undertaking,” claims McMeekin. “A day later, the final paw for the Huger Road starred in The state papers together with a story regarding drawings.” One to photographs nonetheless hangs into the McMeekin’s workplace on their house.

It will be the particular prank you might expect regarding a group away from people. However,, McMeekin states, “These paws were not decorated of the people, however, of the thirty five- to help you fifty-year-olds with a love of Clemson and you may a soul of experiencing fun.”

Editor’s notice: From the slip 2022 issue, i ran a narrative concerning the basic Tiger Paws painted for the the road causing Clemson. You will want to chat to Cal McMeekin.”

You to phone call been a procedure that has ended using this type of tale – and the appreciation so you’re able to Allen Timber to have providing us with a guideline.

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