This story was updated to add new information.
CLEMSON — Clemson basketball‘s student section did not have pool noodles for the first time this season for the Jan. 13 game vs Boston College after the ACC reinforced an NCAA policy.
ACC senior director of sports communications Andy Fledderjohann told The Greenville News via email on that it came to the league’s attention during Clemson‘s previous home game vs. SMU on Jan. 7 that the pool noodles were being used as “artificial noisemakers,” per the game officials.
As a result, a reminder was sent to all ACC schools regarding the NCAA’s policy.
The NCAA policy reads: “Team followers (fans, bands, cheerleaders and mascots associated with either team) shall not commit an unsportsmanlike act, including, but not limited to, the following: a. Using musical instruments, amplified music, canned music or artificial noisemakers while the game is in progress, except during timeouts, intermissions and dead balls while the clock is stopped.”
Examples of artificial noisemakers are “Thundersticks,” whistles, bells or horns.
The penalty would result in the non-offending team attempting a free-throw attempt, and the ball will be put back in play at the point of interruption.
Clemson coach Brad Brownell said he was unaware of students having pool noodles to begin with after No. 21 Clemson‘s 74-50 win vs. Boston College at Littlejohn Coliseum.
“I’m not even sure I noticed them,” Brownell said.
The pool noodles appeared to be used as a visual distraction rather than an audible one. Clemson students typically received them in the second half when the opposing team was going toward the student section.
Some Clemson students were unaware of the change, until Littlejohn Coliseum’s in-game host, Alex Bina, announced that they wouldn’t receive any pregame.
“I feel like that’s such an influential part,” Clemson student Sarah Smith said. “It really allows the students to connect to the players and have a lot of fun.”
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
