Limestone University’s “Bernie” To Appear At Clemson Mascot Takeover Event

Limestone University’s very own “Bernie” will take part in the Mascot Takeover during the Clemson University women’s basketball game against Syracuse on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m., inside Littlejohn Coliseum.

The event will hold a special significance as the Tigers are coached by Shawn Poppie, a Limestone alumnus and former Saints women’s basketball assistant coach.

“Bernie” will be joined by several other mascots on January 26, including the “Reedy Rip’It” from the Greenville Drive, “Stomper” from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, “Val” from Converse University, “Ty The Warrior” from Southern Wesleyan University, “Chaser” from Spartanburg Community College, “Paws” from Western Carolina University, “Brody The Bruin” from Bob Jones University, “Troy The Trojan” from Anderson University, “Blazer” from Bob Jones University, “Scotty” from Presbyterian College, “Coach Blue” from Blue Cross Blue Shield, “Whataguy” from Whataburger, and more.

Students attending the game from a college or university with a mascot participating can bring their student identification card to the Littlejohn Coliseum Box Office before the game for a special $5 ticket rate.

In March of 2024, Poppie headed to Clemson after spending two seasons as the head coach at Chattanooga. He led the Mocs to the NCAA Div. I Tournament both years.

He was inducted into the Limestone Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. A member of Limestone's Class of 2007, Poppie is considered one of the best pure talents to come through the Limestone men's basketball program. Poppie played all four years with the Saints and graduated as the program's all-time leader in assists (602) and steals (168). At the time of his Hall of Fame induction, he ranked 10th on the team's all-time scoring list with 1,225 career points.

Poppie spent four seasons as an assistant on the women's staff at Limestone, helping to turn the Saints into a national powerhouse. He also spent six seasons on staff at Virginia Tech and was the associate head coach for the final two. During his time in the Palmetto State, in addition to his stint at Limestone, Poppie served as an assistant coach at USC Upstate and Furman University.