Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Historic Riggs Field at Dr. I. M. Ibrahim Stadium
115 Alpha Beta Circle
Clemson, SC 29634
Year Opened: 1980
Capacity: 6,500
Historic Riggs Field at Dr. I. M. Ibrahim Stadium – Clemson Tigers
Fall in Clemson, South Carolina, typically brings thoughts of busses circling Memorial Stadium, Howard’s Rock, and the blast of the Clemson cannon sending the football team down and running down “The Hill.” What might fly under the radar, however, is Clemson men’s soccer program, which has experienced more national success than any other athletic program at Clemson, which most instantly associate with the school’s successes on the gridiron.
Serving as Clemson’s football field as far back as 1915 and baseball field from 1916 to 1969, Riggs Field was named in honor of their first football coach, Walter Riggs, who also served a stint as the school’s president from 1911 to 1924. During Riggs’s tenure, he hired John Heisman as the school’s football coach.
Soccer was first sponsored as a varsity sport at Clemson in 1932 but was discontinued in 1939. Soccer would return in 1967 under the direction of Dr. I. M. Ibrahim, who was not just the soccer coach but also a professor of chemistry at Clemson – the soccer stadium is now named after him.
In their history, the Tigers have claimed 17 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) soccer titles while being crowned soccer National Champions four times as of 2024 (1984, 1987, 2021, and 2023).
Food & Beverage 2
Concessions can be found built into the exterior of the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility at the western end of Riggs Field – offerings are rather straightforward, with hot dogs, nachos, and barbecue sandwiches as the featured items. Beverages come from the Pepsi line of soft drinks, but one of the more intriguing items on the menu is the Clemson orange slushies.
Atmosphere 4
Riggs Field sits down in a natural bowl, which is created by the surrounding hilly terrain. This should not come as much of a shock, as the Clemson campus is also extremely hilly. The stadium is made up of two sets of separated bleachers on either side of the pitch, both faced in brick. The far side visitor seating area runs roughly from penalty area to penalty area and has limited backed seating. In contrast, the home side seating runs the entire length of the field and has a full section of aluminum seat backs at midfield.
Given the open nature of the stadium, crowds often gather along the fence outside the pitch due to its proximity to the exterior sidewalk along Old Greenville Highway at the northern edge of the stadium. This setup leaves very little to obstruct the view and goes a long way in enhancing the overall campus and neighborhood feel, connecting the community to the game.
There are also no bad seats at Riggs Field, and the supporters’ section, positioned behind the visiting team’s bench, often spills over behind the opposing goalkeeper, contributing significantly to Clemson’s home-field advantage.
Neighborhood 5
Riggs Field is just a short walk from College Avenue, Clemson’s hub of dining, shopping, and nightlife. Less than a mile away is the legendary Esso Club, a former gas station turned Clemson tradition. For Friday night soccer matches, pairing a visit with a Saturday football game at Memorial Stadium is a perfect weekend experience.
Despite Clemson’s hilly landscape, there are some scenic walks around campus – historic Woodland Cemetery, and the Clemson Dike are both highly popular locations for students, locals, and visitors to get out and be one with the outdoors.
Fans 4
Clemson soccer’s successes have long drawn a great deal of support from students, alumni, and the local soccer community, and the fan base has done a good job showing their appreciation for that success with a raucous collegiate soccer atmosphere.
The ever-present student support section, Central Spirit, does a good job creating an interactive soccer atmosphere – throughout the match, they chant, beat base and snare drums, and run through a series of songs. It is not uncommon for matches against other premier programs and rivals to draw more than 6,000 fans, although midweek matches and those against smaller programs do not bring in nearly the same crowds.
Access 4
Clemson is roughly a 20-minute drive from I-85, with multiple exits leading into town. The most direct route is through Pendleton, South Carolina, which leads to the eastern side of campus. The E-5 lot, adjacent to Fike Recreation Center, offers convenient parking, while street parking near Memorial Stadium is also an option, just a short walk from the soccer field and frequently plentiful.
Riggs Field has four entry points, making access easy. The main entrance, shared with the Duckworth Family Tennis Pavilion, frequently offers promotional items for fans. A walkway also encircles the field, though views are obstructed by the stands except at the ends of the pitch.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets are reasonably priced at $10 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating, a fair deal considering Clemson’s status as a premier collegiate soccer program. Free parking close to the stadium is also a bonus.
Though concession prices are slightly above average, they are not as unreasonable as sports stadium fare goes.
Extras 4
Plaques at the entrance along Old Greenville Highway honor Walter Riggs for his contributions to both Clemson athletics and the university.
Clemson takes great pride in its soccer history, with the underside of the stands recognizing team and individual accomplishments, including National Championship teams, national scoring leaders, and Hermann Trophy winners awarded to college soccer’s top players. Inside the playing area, flags commemorate Clemson’s four National Championship titles, and placards along the fencing highlight the successes of both the men’s and women’s programs, including their ACC titles and NCAA Tournament achievements.
The Clemson Tiger mascot is an active participant in the game experience, greeting fans, interacting with the student section, and taking part in halftime contests.
Also, could you even have a Clemson sporting event without its rich traditions? The popular fight song, “Tiger Ra,” is played just before the start of the soccer match, as well as after every Clemson goal. Clemson also does a good job paying tribute to the university, as following the match with the Alma Mater Salute has become customary across Clemson athletics.
Final Thoughts
Clemson soccer has been one of the elite programs in the nation for years, and their game experience is just as special. The product on the pitch will always be of high quality, and the surrounding campus and neighborhood atmosphere perfectly complement the experience.
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