Clemson responds to new ACC field, court storming policy

Clemson responded quickly to the news of the ACC’s new field and court storming policy ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. The Tigers were a noteworthy response considering their football tradition of letting the fans on the field postgame.

The Gathering at the Paw is tradition at Clemson where fans can celebrate on the field following Clemson football games. It’s usually done in a timely manner and actually was briefly on hold amid the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago.

But the Clemson administration ensured the tradition will go on, albeit with adjustments with the new ACC policy. The statement can be viewed below.

“The ACC’s revised sportsmanship policy provides an important framework for all institutions to evaluate and enhance their safety procedures for fans, teams and game officials in line with the other major conferences and venues,” the statement read. “Clemson is in the process of finalizing our updated protocol in accordance with this policy. Our approach acknowledges the significance of Gathering at the Paw on Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium, and we intend to allow for its continuation once visiting teams and personnel have safely exited the field. We ask our fans for their cooperation in this matter beginning this fall.”

Essentially, as Clemson described, it’s just a delayed “field storming.” As long as they following the policy, there should be now issues with their tradition.

“In the sports of football and men’s and women’s basketball, our conference has elevated its expectations around court and field safety,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said Tuesday. “Members are required to continue developing event security plans, which will now include a review by a third party independently, and to ensure that only participants, coaches, officials and authorized personnel are allowed in the competition area before, during and at the conclusion of any competition.

“The plan may allow spectators to access the competition area following a contest, but only after the visiting team and officials have safely exited the area with the elevated safety expectations, it’s critical. There’s critical importance to ensure that adequate time for all members of the visiting team to safely leave the field of play. In addition to these elevated expectations, there is a corresponding fine structure in place, should a school have a breach in this new policy.”