johnson: At Clemson we have wonderful track and field facilities, indoor and outdoor. This meet allows us to showcase those facilities while providing the student athletes an opportunity to compete indoors and earn some fast marks for the Indoor Championships early next year.
scrunners.com: Where are you hoping to attract teams and athletes from?
johnson: We have had interest from teams up and down the east coast: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, that is what really got us thinking we need to bring this meet back. People enjoyed the meet when it was around and we would like to offer more opportunities for high school athletes, however the collegiate season just will not allow room on the schedule for a lot of meets.
johnson: Having a true indoor season with a state championship would be wonderful for the sport of track and field in the state of South Carolina. With Clemson being the only indoor track in the state, high school athletes would more then likely have to qualify for the state meet through a series of "polar bear meets" (aka: indoor events being run on outdoor tracks). Clemson would enjoy hosting such an event like the state indoor meet.
scrunners.com: What kind of sanctioning would the December meet have?
johnson: The Tiger Invitational is intended to be a quality competition with entries based on previous individual performances. The entry limitation in each event is intended to ensure a quality competition in a timely, efficient format. Entry consideration into the Tiger Invitational is open to any high school age athlete regardless of state of residence. Depending on a state's high school athletic association's eligibility rules, athletes may compete as members of their team, a track club, or as an unattached competitor.
scrunners.com: How has feedback been regarding the meet?
johnson: Interest has been really good and we are looking forward to hosting the meet, We are hosting the Roaring Tiger Invitational the night before on Dec. 4, a collegiate meet, and that meet is full. The high school meet schedule is good and we will build a tradition of quality meets, starting with this meet.
Editor's note: Meet information will be posted on the meet page as received. scrunners.com will provide onsite coverage at the meet.