South Carolina and Clemson have played each other in football for each of the last 103 years.
A Lexington County lawmaker wants to make sure they keep playing each other.
Rep. Nathan Ballentine told The State newspaper that he’s worried that conference expansion could lead the schools to drop their rivalry.
Both the Atlantic Coast Conference that Clemson belongs to and the Southeastern Conference where South Carolina plays are adding two new schools. Both leagues could require teams to play nine conference games each year, rather than the current eight.
Ballentine is worried the schools might drop the rivalry because of the reduced number of non-conference games they could play.
Officials at both schools say they would prefer that lawmakers stay out of the scheduling process.
USC spokesman Wes Hickman said USC appreciates Ballentine’s sentiment but does not support his bill. “Athletic schedules need to be decided by athletic directors and coaches,” Hickman said.
In a statement, Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips told The State: “Clemson would prefer to not have to legislate this issue as I cannot conceive of a realistic scenario that would prohibit Clemson and South Carolina from continuing our football series.”
Clemson falls to North Carolina
Baseball. Tigers lose game, win…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 5
YabbaDaboDooDoo writes:
What a clown! You want to legislatively force Clemson and South Carolina to play each other in football every year? Any other laws you want to pass that makes people do what they are already going to do anyway? Neither side wants to drop this game. It's on prime time on ESPN every year. When was the last time that game WASN'T sold out? Financially, how would it make sense to keep Wofford or the Citadel on the schedule and drop this game?
Mr Ballentine has plenty of other things to worry about besides this football game like fixing the state of South Carolina or his day job as VP of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. How about doing your job and leave football to football people. Some people become stupid once they put on a necktie.
clemsongent writes:
Until we "clean house" of ALL elected officials at the local, county, state and federal level and replace them with "thinking" people with principles we will continue to have politicians tell us what is best for us.
BigBud52 writes:
I guess since Gov. Haley made all state agencies answer the phone, "Its a great day in South Carolina" that means the recession is over and there is no more unemployment, crime or domestic issues to worry about. Now our lawmakers can concern themselves with important issues, like football. My sympathies to the people of Lexington County.
tigerpaw1968 writes:
I notice Representative Ballentine is a Republican. They are the ones who are always saying, "keep government out of private affairs" aren't they? Guess it just depends. Yes, I know both schools are state supported, but this rises to the level of "government intrusion".
TRUETIGER1 writes:
Hasn't the government done enough to help us?
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