University of South Carolina Prepares for Annual Tiger Burn Amid Rivalry with Clemson
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina (UofSC) is gearing up for its annual Tiger Burn, a spirited tradition that intensifies the longstanding rivalry with Clemson University. This year’s event is scheduled for November 20 at 6 p.m., a week earlier than usual to accommodate the Thanksgiving break.
The Tiger Burn pep rally, a festive gathering of UofSC students and alumni, showcases the university’s football coaching staff, the team, the Gamecock mascot, cheerleaders, dance teams, and various student performances. It also features musical entertainment, ensuring a lively atmosphere for attendees.
The origins of the Tiger Burn can be traced back to a tumultuous incident following the 1902 Clemson-Carolina football game, which ended in an unexpected victory for South Carolina. After the game, UofSC students paraded a drawing depicting a gamecock triumphing over a tiger, igniting tensions with Clemson students, who were then a military institution. When Clemson cadets sought to reclaim the drawing, it led to a standoff involving around 40 Carolina students armed with knives and pistols. Fortunately, police intervention prevented violence, and the conflict was resolved when both sides agreed to burn the drawing in a show of camaraderie.
The event has evolved significantly since its inception, with the tiger effigy becoming more elaborate over the years. Notably, the design and construction of the tiger have been handled by UofSC’s student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for over a decade.
As the rivalry builds anticipation for another year of football, the Tiger Burn continues to symbolize the spirited competition between the two schools, enriching the campus culture at UofSC.
Source
Photo credit www.wyff4.com
