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Greg Oliver

Van Hilderbrand, associate athletic director/event manager at Clemson University, conducts a tour of Clemson Memorial Stadium for representatives of the Upstate Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon. Memorial Stadium, also known as Death Valley, will host a 4-A state title game Dec. 5 and another 4-A, along with 3-A and 2-A title games Dec. 6. This is the first year those title games have been held in Clemson.

CLEMSON — High school football season officially kicks off this weekend, but representatives of the Upstate Chamber of Commerce are turning their attention toward championship weekend.

For the first time ever, Clemson Memorial Stadium, also known as Death Valley, will host one 4-A state title game Dec. 5 and another 4-A title game, as well as a 2-A and 3-A championship tilt on Dec. 6. Although the 1-A title game will take place at South Carolina State University, the four remaining games have been played at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia since the late 1990s.

Jerome Singleton, commissioner of the South Carolina High School League, the state’s governing body for high school athletics, told about 30 officials during a meeting Thursday at Memorial Stadium that 31,000 tickets have typically been sold for the two-day event. But Jeremy Wright, chairman of the Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said the Upstate Chamber has set a goal this year of 50,000 tickets sold.

“Some of these players will play their final game in Death Valley. Some will go on to college and some to the NFL, but we want each to have an experience they’ll never forget at Death Valley,” Wright said. “Our goal is to earn the championship back so it will rotate in Clemson on a regular basis.”

Former Clemson placekicker Fletcher Anderson, also a member of the Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce, said the goal not only is to enhance the experience for high school student-athletes, coaches, cheerleaders and supporters but also to provide an economic impact for Clemson and the surrounding areas.

“We want to raise the level of the event so, no matter where it goes, we’ve raised the bar and expectations of the event from here on out,” Anderson said.

From a former athlete’s perspective, Anderson said playing that final game in a major college football stadium with a capacity of more than 80,000 is something that won’t be forgotten.

“All high school players, generally speaking, are college football fans,” he said. “Some will be watching USC and some Clemson and some aren’t fortunate to have parents who bring them to the games. They watch the games on television, so when they come to compete in an actual stadium, that provides an experience not many receive over a football career.”

Van Hilderbrand, associate athletics director/event manager, said the lower bowl of both sides of the stadium will be open, accommodating 50,000 fans. But he added, “If we had to go to the upper bowl, that would be fine too.”

Hilderbrand added that the field to locker room areas, as well as all indoor and outdoor practice facilities, will be available for participants. However, they will not be permitted to run down the hill as the Clemson Tigers football team traditionally does.

Officials say this marks the first year that the South Carolina High School League has permitted advanced ticket sales, at a cost of $10 per event. No pass outs will be permitted, meaning that anyone leaving one game would be required to pay an additional $10 if they desire to attend another game.

Chamber officials also discussed sponsorship opportunities and toured stadium facilities during their visit.

Patrick Lee, director of the Seneca Area Chamber of Commerce, said he is excited about the opportunity to be part of such a collaborative effort.

“Any positive impact on our community is welcome,” Lee said, adding, “This gives us an opportunity to capitalize and showcase our area.”

Clemson Mayor Larry Abernathy said having the state football championship in Clemson is one of the most exciting things he has ever been a part of and believes the economic impact could reach as high as $5 million, including hotel accommodations and restaurants.

“This event will put a lot of heads in beds,” Abernathy said.

Making matters even more interesting is the fact that Daniel High School is considered one of the favorites to appear in the 3-A state title game.

“It could happen,” the mayor said of a possible home field advantage.

Jeff Martin, tourism chairman for Clemson’s chamber, said the Upstate Chamber is dedicated to raising sponsorship money in order to make the event a special one for the South Carolina High School League and its participants.

“If we do that, they’ll want to come back here every year,” Martin said.