There is nothing quite like Clemson’s “Gathering at the Paw,” the electric tradition started in 1942. It’s the moment when thousands of fans surge onto the field at Memorial Stadium to celebrate a win, a sacred ritual in Death Valley. But this year, that tradition is in jeopardy: the ACC’s new policy will heavily fine teams for early field storming, and Clemson’s beloved postgame ritual could be at risk of being curtailed. Now, athletic director Graham Neff is on a mission to calm nerves and convince fans: yes, the Gathering is staying, but it has to follow new rules.

Clemson’s 2024 season was solid on paper but uncomfortable for fans craving dominance. They went 10-4 overall, 7-1 in ACC play, and secured the conference title before a first-round exit in the College Football Playoff. Offensively, they averaged 34.7 points per game, gaining 6.3 yards per play, with Cade Klubnik throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Now heading into 2025, Clemson returns over 80% of its production and remains an ACC favorite. So, as Clemson approaches the season opener against LSU, fans are being asked to hold back, just a little, so the school doesn’t pay the price.

For Clemson, this is personal. Neff called the tradition “really, really special,” describing it as “unique… and something we want to continue.” But when asked in a recent media session what happens if fans jump early, say, with three minutes left, he admitted it’s a serious concern. “We’re going to abide by and support the new ACC policy,” he said. “So we need our fans’ help with that.” The goal now is to find a balance between passion and policy, and the school knows that won’t be easy.

In his full comments, Neff went deeper, saying, “We’re trying to balance… respecting the unique tradition that we have while also respecting the policies that are at hand and just the safety and environment of what postgame field looks like, particularly after charged games, LSU or otherwise.” He confirmed the school is working on a step-by-step postgame sequence for the upcoming season and will be communicating that plan to fans before kickoff. “Yeah, we are working on what the sequencing and what postgame process looks like. Certainly, over the coming couple of weeks, we’re going to communicate to the fans what that looks like. I’ll double down and say it again, we need our fans’ help and support,” he added.

This isn’t just a football issue either. Neff pointed out that the same expectations now apply to all Clemson venues, including Littlejohn Coliseum, home to Clemson men’s basketball, which has had its share of passionate court-storming moments over the past few years. “Those types of event management aspects for all of our venues are really important.” He acknowledged that students often lead the charge and stressed the importance of student cooperation to keep the tradition sustainable. But the field isn’t the only space Clemson is being forced to manage more carefully this season.

Behind the scenes, Clemson braces for a bigger financial storm

As Clemson works through the emotional aspect of game-day ritual, it’s also confronting a financial reckoning beyond the playing field. After the NCAA antitrust agreement, institutions like Clemson will have to pay student-athletes who competed from 2016 to 2020, up to $2 million per year for 10 years. This is just one part of an oncoming wave to compensate players for their pre-NIL losses. And that’s only a small part of the equation.

Clemson will also have to budget for an increase in scholarships, a cost that would drive payouts to more than $22 million annually for existing and incoming athletes. Although most programs relied on collectives to manage NIL-related payments, a significant change in college sports regulation has now rendered those collectives effectively autonomous. That leaves the direct burden on the athletic departments themselves, and for a football-first school like Clemson, that puts pressure on every budget choice they make.

Neff addressed that pressure head-on. “Football continues and will be our investment strategy from a business standpoint, but that allocation of additional scholarships, 150, is significant,” he explained. “We previously had 275 scholarships… but adding 150 to that is significant. From a per capita standpoint, that might be the most, or as big of an increase as any other school in the country.” Neff and his team are doing everything they can to shield the coaching staff from the financial turbulence while still maintaining Clemson’s competitive edge.

As the Tigers gear up for a pivotal 2025 season, balancing on-field expectations and beloved fan traditions, it’s clear that the pressure isn’t just on the scoreboard. Between the ACC’s storming fines and the NCAA’s new financial rules, Clemson’s margin for error is getting slimmer. But if any program can rally its base, recalibrate, and keep tradition alive while evolving, it’s one with a tiger paw at midfield and a fanbase that always shows up.