“Could somebody explain to me why we are playing a school like Clemson?”
That was the question South Carolina State University Board Vice Chairman Dr. John Corbitt posed to fellow trustees at Thursday’s board meeting, days after the Bulldogs were demolished by the nationally ranked Clemson Tigers 54-0 in football last Saturday.
His remarks sparked a long, spirited debate between S.C. State trustees and President Dr. George Cooper over the merits of the university playing Football Bowl Subdivision opponents.
Cooper defended playing top teams, saying it helps recruiting and provides publicity for the university.
“Our players had a good showing,” Cooper said. “I hope we’re not just looking at the score.”
He also noted the S.C. State Marching 101 band received praise from the Clemson faithful for its halftime performance.
Corbitt called the final score as embarrassing.
“We are playing a school we know we can’t whip,” he said.
S.C. State was paid $235,000 to travel to Death Valley for the game. In addition, the university received all proceeds from tickets allotted to it.
Trustee Dr. Shirley Martin said she understood the financial reasons for playing Clemson. However, she said there are better ways to raise money.
Calling the game a “thrashing” several times, Martin said even a MEAC Championship season for the Bulldogs could be diminished by the loss to Clemson.
Trustee Dr. Walt Tobin said S.C. State traveled to Clemson for the same reason that other smaller schools travel to larger ones. He listed other similar match ups this season, such as Appalachian St. versus LSU, to illustrate his point.
“We need money. We need exposure,” he said.
Cooper said the university is going to continue playing high-quality opponents. He then predicted that S.C. State will defeat USC or Clemson one day and turn the South Carolina football world on its head. S.C. State is scheduled to play USC in 2011 and Clemson in 2016.
Outgoing Board Chairman Maurice Washington said the university sold 1,900 of the 3,000 tickets Clemson allotted for Bulldog fans. He pointed out that the university received those tickets in the spring.
Corbitt said he did not understand that because alumni were begging for tickets.
Staff Senate President Derrick Green suggested that other vendors, including Clemson season ticket holders, sold their tickets to Bulldog fans.
“It’s bad when you’ve got 3,000 tickets and can’t sell them. ... We’ve got to do more advertising,” trustee Jonathan Pinson said.
Pinson said many Bulldogs fans have a “tailgate mentality” because they stay outside the stadium during the games. He said fan excitement for S.C. State football has got to reach a level comparable to USC and Clemson.
T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@times anddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories at TheTandD.com.