Claflin students gearing up for rivalry games vs. Benedict

The Claflin University men’s and women’s basketball teams will be facing off against longtime rivals the Benedict Tigers and Lady Tigers Saturday night in Tullis Arena.

The school is using the hashtag #BeatBenedict to generate excitement around the upcoming game.

Here’s what some students are saying:
Senior Dia White: “I am looking forward to the Claflin-vs.-Benedict game, mainly because they are one of our biggest rivals and I know whenever we play them it usually is a really good turnout.” 

Senior Taron Jamison: “I am not that into sports, but I will be going to the game to represent for my school and our team.”

Sophomore Jasmine Dow: “I try to make it to all of the games and I enjoy every game. I am excited to be at the Claflin-vs.-Benedict game because I have never seen Benedict’s basketball team play and I am sure it will be interesting.” 

Junior Jamaris Robinson -- “This is going to be the first time I’ve ever been to one. It’s going to be Greek Day as well, so I’m excited. It’s going to be entertaining. 

Freshman Jenei Peterson -- “I’m excited to see some dunking. Hopefully they’ll dunk in this game.”

Senior Khari Glover -- “I’m excited. I’m trying to see some competitiveness between two HBCUs and, for a brief moment, we act like we don’t like each other out of the spirit of competition.”

Athena Redding: “Claflin vs. Benedict is the best game of the year. More students are involved at the game and it is very exciting.”

LaQuayvious Hanna: "I just want to see a good game."

Robert Green: "I hope Claflin wins the game because I know how big the rivalry (is).”

Senior Richard Ortiz: "My brother goes to Benedict so I have a reason to go and be excited, be crazed."

Senior Shanquel Young: "It's our rival. It's exciting to see our school come together just to see us beat the next team."
Junior Jasmine Riley: Looking forward to "the audience. The hypeness of the audience."

Senior Tempestt Dozier: "It's a major game for Claflin and brings in a lot of money and alumni. They are rivals too, which makes it even better."
Senior Richard Ortiz: "It's an exciting event for two private HBCUs to compete. I'm also excited because my brother goes to Benedict!"
Dionta Jamal Posey: “I think that the girls’ team will probably win because of how well they work together in both offense and defense. However with the boys’ team, it’s questionable, because of how they all get too cocky once they get ahead of the game.”

Behind the scenes, preparations are designed to make sure the game experience is as exciting as possible. 

Pep Band Director Vincent Chandler said, “When it comes to the pep band, I think our responsibility is consistency. No matter how big the game is, it’s kind of like, our main goal is always to first of all provide good music. We’re the pep band, we’re there to pep up the audience and pep up the basketball players. That’s why our focus is current music, the kind of music that they may be listening to in the locker rooms, the kind of music they listen to when they put their headphones on. We’re providing that kind of music because it really energizes them.”

As of now, the records are Panthers 9-10 and Lady Panthers 12-7. The Benedict teams are 13-6 and 19-1.

Tip-off for the women’s game is 6 p.m. followed immediately by the men’s game at approximately 8 p.m.

Claflin University SAAC Community Service Rivalry Challenge Food Drive in Final Days #BEATBENEDICT

The Claflin Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Community Service Rivalry Challenge Food Drive is in its final days of collection.
Non-perishable items for the food drive, which began on Monday, Jan. 25, will be collected through the first half of Saturday women’s game vs. Benedict. All items collected will benefit the Samaritan House of Orangeburg.  

The challenge will put Claflin SAAC against Benedict College SAAC with the committee collecting the most items winning the first-ever Rivalry Cup.
Non-perishable items can also be dropped at any time during the day.  The drop-off location for the community is the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. On campus drop-off locations also include the café and the community service office located in Corson Hall.
For additional information, contact Matisse Lee at 803-535-5034 or matisse.lee@claflin.edu.

Tickets for the Benedict game are on sale now at the Claflin University athletics website at athletics.claflin.edu under the Fan Zone link.  Tickets can also be purchased on campus at the athletics ticket office located at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center until 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday as well as the day of the game.