The D Fence Legacy: A Tale of Triumph

My love for Clemson football began in 1991 when I arrived on campus as a freshman. Before that, I was not a Clemson fan, but after experiencing a game in Death Valley as a student, I was hooked for life. The 1991 season was impressive—Clemson achieved a record of 6-0-1 at home, tying with UVA and winning the ACC Championship. However, from 1991 to 1998, the program faced challenges, and the glory days of the 1980s seemed to fade away. By 1998, we had lost four home games, finished with a record of 3-8, and witnessed the firing of Tommy West. In 1999, with my passion for Clemson football still growing, I welcomed Tommy Bowden as our new head coach. That same year, as an alumnus, I became a season ticket holder and, from that point on, rarely missed a home game.

Although the 2000s marked an improvement over the 1990s, we still had not won an ACC championship since 1991, and we struggled to overcome significant challenges. We achieved notable victories, such as defeating Florida State in 2003, but then experienced frustrating losses to weaker teams like Duke in 2004. By 2008, Tommy Bowden’s tenure was nearing its conclusion after a tumultuous era. When Bowden stepped down midseason, a relatively unknown assistant named Dabo Swinney assumed the role of interim head coach for the final seven games. Dabo had demonstrated enough potential to earn the position, but not everyone was convinced of his capabilities. After starting the 2009 season with three losses in the first five games, including a home defeat to TCU, the outlook for the Tigers appeared bleak, especially with ACC powerhouse Florida State set to visit on November 7, 2009. At that point, I had been a Tiger fan for 18 years, during which Clemson had a home record of 86-35-1 and had not secured a conference championship since my very first year in 1991.

At this point, I had excellent season tickets and was seated just a few rows from the field. I understood how crucial the upcoming game against FSU was for our program, so I decided to create a “D Fence” sign to help motivate the team and contribute to the already electric atmosphere in Death Valley. The Tigers won that game 40-24, and a new tradition was born. They went on to win all their remaining home games that year, securing a spot in the newly established (2005) ACC Championship Game. Although we fell short in that game, everyone recognized that something special was happening with this program.

Since that day, there have been exactly 100 home games, and Clemson’s record in those games is an impressive 93-7. During this period, Clemson achieved eight undefeated home seasons and a remarkable 40-game home winning streak from 2016 to 2022. The Tigers have reclaimed their position as the top team in the ACC, winning eight ACC championships, making six appearances in the College Football Playoff, and competing in four national championship games, winning two national titles. This success has earned me the nickname Mr D Fence. 

My story has captured the attention of both fans and the media. In a feature by The Clemson Insider dated January 10, 2020, I shared that the inspiration for the D Fence sign stemmed from my passion for Clemson football. My son Cody and I have fully embraced this tradition, and the sign has become our way of demonstrating unwavering support, regardless of the outcome. Even when Clemson has faced setbacks, such as home losses to Pittsburgh (2016), South Carolina (2022), and Florida State (2023), I was found appearing in postgame interviews with the winning coaches, as Larry Williams humorously noted on X (formerly Twitter). Whether I am proudly holding up the D Fence after a victory or shaking my head in mock disappointment following a defeat, it is all part of the experience.

Over the years, the “D Fence” sign has undergone significant evolution. The original signs were constructed from foam board, which had a limited lifespan, necessitating the creation of a new sign every few games. After a couple of years of bringing my sign, I realized I needed to create something more durable, leading to the construction of my first wooden sign. This sign served me well through several seasons, including the rain-soaked 2015 season when it sustained damage during a post-game celebration. It remained in use until we won the 2016 National Championship, after which it was retired. My second wooden sign was retired two years later, following our second National Championship victory in as many years. The new sign for the 2019 season features a fresh design that showcases the two National Championship trophies associated with the D Fence tradition. I fully anticipate retiring this sign after this season when we win it all.

There is no doubt that the “D Fence” has been a crucial component of Clemson football since its debut in 2009; however, it alone has not been sufficient to maintain our position at the pinnacle of college football. In recent years, it became evident that our offense required a boost. Before the first home game of the 2024 season, I decided to add an “O Fence” sign to my repertoire, and it proved to be highly effective. Clemson became the first FBS team in 20 years to score 28 points in the first quarter in back-to-back games, setting the stage for what promises to be a record-breaking offensive season.

So far this season at home, we have witnessed an “O Fence” that has not been seen before, showcasing impressive offensive plays, including Cade Klubnik’s 55-yard touchdown run. This run was the longest by a Clemson quarterback since Trevor Lawrence’s 67-yard touchdown against Ohio State in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.

Through these initial games, Klubnik has been leading an offense that has scored over 50 points in consecutive games—something we haven’t witnessed in years. The “O Fence” is performing well, and it feels like we’re just getting started. Go Tigers!!!