College Sports Established
1896
Location
Clemson, South Carolina
College Name
Clemson University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1907 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
1953 – Present / ACC Conference
1921 - 1953 / Southern Conference
1896 – 1921 / Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Nickname
Tigers - The Clemson Tigers are among the country's most recognizable college sports teams. But where did their nickname come from? The answer may surprise you!
The story began in 1896 when Walter Merritt Riggs became head coach and athletic director of what was then known as Clemson Agricultural College (now Clemson University). He wanted to give his team a more intimidating name than “the Farmers” or “the Plowboys,” which had been used by some previous teams. So he chose "Tigers," after Princeton's football team, who were called "Tigers" then. He thought it would be an appropriate mascot for a school near forests full of wild cats like bobcats, cougars, and panthers.
Riggs also drew inspiration from another source: General Thomas Green, who served as an officer during the Civil War under Confederate President Jefferson Davis and later founded Fort Hill Plantation on nearby property owned by John C Calhoun (Calhoun is now part of Clemson University). Green earned himself the nickname 'Old Tiger' due to his ferocity in battle, thus inspiring Riggs always to make tigers part of his new school's identity!
Today, students at Clemson proudly wear orange tiger paw prints all over campus - something that has become synonymous with success both on and off the field for this storied university program. Whether they're competing against rivals like South Carolina or making waves nationally with championship titles such as 2016 National Champions - one thing is sure: The spirit behind those tiger paws will never die out!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 3
2018, 2016, 1981
Soccer 2
1987, 1984
- 1987
- 1992
- 2016
- 2018
- 2020
- 2021
-
Clemson Soccer 1987 Champions
After failing to make the NCAA tournament in 1986, the Tigers earned their 2nd National Championship during the 1987 season. The Tigers finished the 1987 regular season 13–5–1 but had struggled during conference play. Reportedly, the Tigers were the 23rd team selected for the 24-team NCAA tournament. The Tigers, however, won three straight road games, which included an upset of ... -
women’s soccer team plays its first season
In 1992: The Clemson women’s soccer team plays its first season and reaches the NCAA Final Four in 2000. -
The Clemson football team wins its second national championship
In 2016: The Clemson football team wins its second national championship with a 14-1 record and a victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. -
Football Champs Clemson Tigers 2018
Swinney capped off a historical season in 2018 as the Tigers finished 15–0, marking the first time a college team had done so since 1897. Clemson defeated #1 ranked Alabama 44–16 in the CFP National Championship. The Tigers recorded the most wins in a single season for Clemson. Freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns in ... -
The Clemson men’s soccer team wins ACC championship
In 2020: The Clemson men’s soccer team wins its third national championship and repeats in 2020. The Clemson football team wins its sixth consecutive ACC championship and reaches the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl, but loses to Ohio State. -
Clemson football team wins its seventh consecutive ACC championship
In 2021: The Clemson women’s basketball team hires former WNBA player and coach Nikki McCray-Penson as its new head coach. The Clemson football team wins its seventh consecutive ACC championship and reaches the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, but loses to Georgia.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are among NCAA's most successful college sports teams. With a long and storied tradition, they have been perennial contenders for championships over the last few decades. From its first national championship in 1981 to winning three consecutive ACC titles from 2018-2020, Clemson has established itself as a college football powerhouse, building a notable rivalry with the Florida State Seminoles.
Clemson’s success can be attributed to its commitment to excellence on and off the field. The team is committed to developing players who excel athletically and academically; this includes recruiting talented student-athletes with solid characters that will represent the school well on and off campus. Additionally, their coaching staff is highly experienced, with numerous years of experience at different levels of collegiate football. This helps them develop strategies that lead them toward victory season after season.
In addition to having an impressive record on the field, Clemson also has an incredibly passionate fan base who cheer for “the orange & white” every Saturday no matter what happens during each game or throughout any given season - win or lose! This dedicated support system allows them to continue striving towards greatness year after year while always remaining true Tiger fans through thick & thin!
Sports Fan Products
