Rivalry, Reunions, and the Road to 20 Seasons

You ever find yourself back in a place that just feels right? That’s what stepping back on the field at Fluor Field felt like during this year’s Reedy River Rivalry. If you know, you know—this game is always the spicy one in the middle of that Clemson vs. USC series sandwich. Columbia gets one. Clemson gets one. And then, boom: Greenville hosts the neutral site showdown right in the middle.

I was there for the original. However many years ago that was, eight? Maybe more? I think I hosted the first two… maybe three? I probably have the throwback photos buried somewhere in my digital archives (note to self: find those and post ‘em). But this year was different. This year, it hit a little harder. Because this time, I was warming up for the 20th Anniversary Season of the Greenville Drive. And let me tell you: being back in that groove, in front of a packed house, on a perfect-weather day… nothing like it.

As the crowd filled up, that familiar energy hit. That baseball groove kicked in. And for an emcee and entertainer like me? That’s fuel. Fluor Field was bumpin’. The rivalry was alive. And while I had to keep it neutral on the mic (Greenville rules, y’all), anyone who knows me knows I’m a Clemson Tiger through and through. I might be up there smiling and hyping up both sides, but deep down? I bleed solid orange.

And if memory serves me right and trust me, it does, Clemson took the win this time around. I’m not saying I celebrated out loud… but I’m not saying I didn’t do a little fist pump behind the scenes either.

All in all, it was the perfect kickoff to what’s shaping up to be a legendary season. Let’s go, Drive fans. We’re just getting started.