Clemson Football to Feel Direct Impact of New ACC Field-Storming Policy

ACC Media Days Highlights New Field-Storming Policy That Could Impact Clemson

ACC Media Days not only delivered memorable quotes from Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and his players, but also introduced a significant new conference policy: a fine system for field-storming.

This updated policy could have a big impact on both top-tier programs and underdogs capable of pulling off home upsets. For Clemson, it brings both benefits and challenges. On the one hand, if the Tigers are ever upset on the road (let’s hope not often), this policy will help ensure player safety as they exit the field. On the other hand, it could complicate Clemson’s beloved postgame tradition — the “Gathering at the Paw.”

Under the new ACC policy, schools will be fined on a tiered system over a two-year span:

• First offense: $50,000

• Second offense: $100,000

• Third or more: $200,000

Since Clemson fans traditionally storm the field at every home game to celebrate with players, this rule hits close to home. However, Coach Swinney remains optimistic about maintaining the tradition within the updated guidelines.

Here’s what Dabo said during ACC Media Days:

“We’re used to field-storming — obviously at home every game, and if we lose on the road, we get it there too. We get a lot of experience with it. I didn’t really know about [the new policy] until last week. We were having our program meetings and Graham [Neff] kinda went over it. I think they’ve got a good plan in place where hopefully it can achieve the objectives of being able to get the team off the field, but still be able to gather at the Paw and have the fans come on, and hold the alma mater until we do that.”

In practice, this will likely mean a short delay before fans are allowed to take the field, giving visiting teams a safe exit. That adjustment shouldn’t be a major issue, especially if it means preserving the tradition while complying with conference rules.

And when Clemson is on the road, particularly if facing a potential upset, this policy may offer an extra layer of security for players as they exit — helping avoid any unnecessary confrontations with exuberant opposing fans.

All in all, the policy appears to strike a fair balance. While Clemson may need to make some logistical tweaks, “Gathering at the Paw” isn’t going anywhere.