(1900-1903): Walter Riggs led an effort to raise enough money to bring John Heisman to Clemson in 1900 (from Auburn). The effort paid off as Coach Heisman made an immediate impact. His first team, the 1900 Clemson Tigers went 6-0 (3-0) and won the SIAA Championship (a conference they shared with Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, UGA, GT, and Texas among others). They were the first Clemson team to ever go undefeated.
In 1902, the Tigers finished 6-1 and won the SIAA again. Their lone loss that season came in Columbia. A fight broke out during the game and the Palmetto Bowl rivalry was suspended until 1909.