“Death Valley” might sound scary, but it’s actually the nickname for Clemson’s home stadium, Frank Howard Memorial Stadium. The name comes from Death Valley National Park in California. Interestingly, Clemson’s university cemetery is located on a hill that once overlooked the field before the upper decks were built, which could be another reason behind the name.

There are plenty of stories online about how Clemson’s stadium got its famous nickname. Some say it honors former students and alumni who died serving in the military, while others have different ideas. According to the official Clemson website, the name “Death Valley” actually dates back to 1948, when Lonnie McMillian, whose Presbyterian College team struggled there, coined the term.

Adding to the lore, in 1950, Clemson head coach Frank Howard received a rock from the actual Death Valley in California, which may have further solidified the nickname.

Since the stadium was built around 70 years ago, the Tigers have won an impressive 324 home games. They’re also riding a 30-game home winning streak, the longest in college football right now. So, despite its eerie-sounding name, Memorial Stadium has a history of success and positivity for the Tigers.

Let’s hope that “Death Valley” luck carries into their upcoming weekend game!

Remarkable expansion of Memorial Stadium

This Saturday, Clemson returns to “Death Valley” to face NC State in the Textile Bowl. Clemson has a winning percentage of over 76% at home, and they’re heading into the game with an all-time record of 799-473-45. Well, if they win, Clemson will be the first ACC team to hit 800 victories. Can the huge stadium and roaring crowd help them make history?

Even ESPN analyst Todd Blackledge praised the atmosphere at Memorial Stadium, saying, “We go to a lot of great venues for college football, but this doesn’t take a back seat to any place. In terms of atmosphere, stadium, noise, and facilities, this is a special place on a Saturday night.”

But the stadium wasn’t always so grand. Over time, more seating was added due to the growing number of fans. In 1958, they expanded the west side, and a few years later, they added a whole new section. By 1960, the stadium could hold over 53,000 fans. Then in 1983, another level was built on the north side, bringing capacity to over 80,000.

If you visit now, you’ll see a completely updated stadium, with new facades, a concourse club in the west end zone, and state-of-the-art video boards, lighting, and sound systems.

So, are you planning to visit “Death Valley”? And before the Textile Bowl kicks off this weekend, don’t miss our exclusive Think Tank interview with Doug Sanders!