Clemson is catching heat
Decision to play in face of storm called ‘a money grab’
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson is moving forward with plans to host its scheduled football game today while Hurricane Florence wreaks havoc on the Carolinas’ coastline with officials bracing for historic flooding and record-setting rainfall. People have been forced to evacuate their homes to escape the wrath of the storm.
School officials reiterated their plans Friday morning, saying the kickoff against Georgia Southern remains set for noon ET (10 a.m. MT) today from its planned 3:30 p.m. ET start. Athletic director Dan Radakovich said the earlier start time gives both the teams and the fans time to clear the area before Florence’s effects hit the Clemson area tonight and Sunday.
“Clemson Athletics and the University administration continue to monitor the forecast related to Hurricane Florence very carefully,” the university statement said. “The safety of fans and the student-athletes from both universities are our top priority.”
But while Clemson officials believe the school and stadium — which are about 250 miles from the South Carolina coast — are not in harm’s way, there has been backlash for what is being viewed by some as a narrow view of the situation.
There have been questions about how safe it can possibly be to have about 80,000 people — many traveling on South Carolina highways to and from the game in what could be rapidly changing conditions — together for a football game and placing more demands on already strained state resources.
Instead of the usual 100 to 110 state troopers on hand for a game, there will only be 16.
Clemson (2-0) is the lone major conference school from the Carolinas and Virginia playing its scheduled home game Saturday. Hurricane Florence made landfall Friday and began a trek expected to take it into South Carolina.
No. 13 Virginia Tech, North Carolina and North Carolina State all canceled home games. Virginia’s home game with Ohio was moved to Nashville, Tenn. Clemson’s state rival less than 150 miles east, South Carolina, called off its game for tonight because of the storm.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said at his Friday afternoon briefing the decision whether to hold the game was completely up to Clemson. When asked if he had talked with Clemson officials, McMaster said, “not about that.”
Clemson’s decision to play a game that is not expected to be competitive — the Tigers are 33½-point favorites — has raised questions about the school’s priorities.
Former PGA Tour golfer and South Carolina Gamecock Kyle Thompson said on Twitter : “I may get blasted for this, but I’m surprised Clemson is playing a football game tomorrow with Hurricane Florence bearing down on SC. Seems like a money grab.”
The National Weather Service forecast calls for just a 20 percent chance of rain during the day, but 70 percent tonight and 90 percent Sunday.