Only the toughest can survive the extreme conditions of California’s Death Valley.
The average high of 100-plus degree temperatures five months out of the year provides one of the most hostile environments for outsiders.
But to the world of college football, Death Valley poses a different kind of threat to those who dare question its power.
The thunderous roar that erupts from the stands can rattle opposing teams to their core and make the gridiron a barren wasteland for offenses.
The only question for college football fans: Where is the real Death Valley — Baton Rouge or Clemson, S.C.?
Both LSU and Clemson lay claim to the “real Death Valley,” with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney recently saying in a news conference his university’s stadium was the original in a response to South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier’s jab at which Death Valley was the real one.
“For the record, the original Death Valley is right here,” Swinney said, pointing to the stadium behind him. “In case anybody has any doubts, it’s right here. That’s the original Death Valley. I am pretty sure that is accurate, but I can see where [Spurrier] might have a little confusion.”
LSU fans may be surprised to find out that Swinney is technically right — despite Tiger Stadium being built almost 20 years prior to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
As the story goes, Memorial Stadium’s nickname began in the early 1950s from the cemetery that was perched on the adjacent hill overlooking the field.
The name was solidified in the early 1960s when former Clemson coach Frank Howard received what came to be known as “Howard’s Rock” from an alumnus who had plucked it from the sands of California’s Death Valley.
One local legend suggests that a few years later, LSU began to refer to Tiger Stadium as “Deaf Valley” as a way to differentiate between the Tigers of Clemson, but eventually shifted into “Death Valley” after sports writers and opposing fans from other parts of the country confused the thick Southern accent locals used.
“We take pride in that place,” said LSU senior left tackle Josh Dworaczyk. “It’s more than just that building and the atmosphere. It’s really what possesses that stadium to be one of the worst to play in [for opponents]. … If any stadium deserves to be called Death Valley, it’s certainly ours.”
Memorial Stadium holds slightly more than 81,000 people, compared to LSU’s 92,000-plus capacity.
According to a recent list created by Yahoosports.com, Tiger Stadium ranked third on a list of the toughest places to play, with the Tigers posting a 390-143-18 record (.708) when playing in the confines of Baton Rouge — a number that only grows when LSU plays at night (221-60-4, .775).
“We don’t lose here,” said LSU sophomore punter Brad Wing. “We haven’t lost here in a long time. … We protect this place, and if someone is going to come in here and disrespect that, then we’ll show them on the field.”
On the other hand, the Tigers of Clemson boast a 72 percent home winning percentage and came in at No. 16 on the same list.
LSU holds the longest home winning streak between the two schools, not having lost since Oct. 10, 2009, against Florida. Clemson’s last home loss came at the hands of South Carolina in November 2010.
In his news conference following LSU’s 23-21 home victory against then-No. 3 South Carolina, LSU coach Les Miles described Tiger Stadium as a place “where opponents’ dreams come to die.”
Which Tiger team owns the real Death Valley?
October 16, 2012
More to Discover