ACC's New Safety Policy Puts Spotlight on Clemson's "Gathering at the Paw"

Few traditions in college football are as unique as Clemson’s “Gathering at the Paw.” For years, the scene after home games at Death Valley has been the same: thousands of orange-clad fans pouring onto the turf to meet their Tigers at midfield, circling the iconic Tiger Paw logo for photos, handshakes, and pure celebration. It’s a tradition that unites the Clemson Family—win or lose. It’s rare in college football, but after comments from ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips at the 2025 ACC Kickoff, that tradition could be facing its biggest threat yet.

In his annual address, Phillips announced sweeping new postgame security expectations for all ACC schools, a direct response to rising concerns over field stormings and safety nationwide. His words left little room for ambiguity:

“Our conference has elevated its expectations around court and field safety. Members are required to continue developing event security plans, which will now include a review by a third-party independently to ensure that only participants, coaches, officials, and authorized personnel are allowed in the competition area before, during, and at the conclusion of any competition. The plan may allow spectators to access the competition area, following a contest, but only after the visiting team and officials have safely exited the area with the elevated safety expectations. It’s critical to ensure that adequate time is provided for all members of the visiting team to safely leave the field of play. In addition to these elevated expectations, there is a corresponding fine structure in place. Should a school have a breach in this new policy.”

Translation: No more immediate rush onto the field at the final whistle, and while Clemson already institutes a delay, it will be interesting to see how that changes.

The ACC policy doesn’t outright ban postgame gatherings; it makes clear that fans can only access the field after all visiting players and game officials have safely exited. The university’s postgame plans will now be subject to third-party review, and any breach—such as fans entering early—could lead to hefty fines.

The fines, according to Phillips, are $50,000 for the first offense, $100,000 for the second, and $200,000 for a third offense that will “accumulate through two seasons.” Those dollars will go to the post-graduate fund according to the commissioner.

Clemson fans are justifiably proud of how peaceful and orderly their postgame “Gathering at the Paw” has been, even drawing praise in national media for its family-friendly atmosphere. But these new, conference-mandated rules could change that, at least in terms of when fans get to join their team on the field. The spontaneity and immediacy that has defined the tradition may be in real trouble.

The move comes as conferences across the country, from the SEC to the Big 12, take a tougher stance on field and court stormings following several high-profile altercations and injuries. The ACC is now following suit, prioritizing safety over tradition by requiring tighter controls, independent security plan reviews, and introducing fines for violations.

Will the tradition survive? Almost certainly—but it might look different. We will learn more in the coming days, but Clemson fans should be prepared for a longer wait after the final horn, with security holding back the crowd until the all-clear is given. For many, this may take some of the energy and magic from one of the ACC’s most distinctive traditions.

Clemson Athletics will most certainly work closely with the ACC to balance fan enthusiasm with new conference rules. The “Gathering at the Paw” isn’t banned, but it is at risk.