By Carlos Arenas, University of South Carolina (Zeta Delta, ’27)
Few traditions capture the spirit of the Gamecock-Clemson rivalry quite like the roar of a sledgehammer connecting with the metal of a scrap car painted orange and purple. On November 19, 2025, the Zeta Delta chapter of Theta Tau brought that tradition back to the University of South Carolina’s campus for the second consecutive year with the Clemson Car Smash; a free, high energy philanthropy event held in front of the Molinarolie College of Engineering Center.
The event is pretty simple; students sign a liability waiver, strap on safety gear, and take their swings at a junked car painted in Clemson’s orange and purple, painted by our very own. Three hits are included free of charge to students, with additional rounds available for purchase. This year’s event drew a crowd of students and passerby from across campus, all eager to channel their rivalry-week energy into something tangible.
Jack Schmitt (ZD ‘27) was at the forefront of coordinating and putting Car Smash together. The Car Smash first began in 2015 and continued until 2020, serving as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After COVID, Theta Tau ZD faced troubles with finding and securing insurance for the event but after four years, Jack was able to bring Clemson Car Smash back in 2024, and was able to run it back for a second consecutive year in 2025.
After coordinating with Pull-A-Part Columbia, Zeta Delta was able to source, prepare, and transport the car– all free of charge. Pull-A-Part strips potential hazards such as the engine, fluids, and glass from the vehicle before it is towed to campus, as well as handling the disposal of the car after the event concludes. EMS stands by throughout the day, though in the event’s decade-long history, no injuries have ever been reported.
This year’s Car Smash was co-organized with the USC Center for Student Health and Well-Being, Gamecock Entertainment, and the University’s Rivalry Week Programming, broadening the event’s reach and impact beyond the chapter alone. From logistics and insurance procurement to on-site management, t-shirt design, and social media promotion, Zeta Delta brothers invested considerable time and effort to ensure the event ran safely and smoothly.
From the chapter’s award submission: “The 2025 Car Smash benefited the USC Student Mental Health Fund, in partnership with the USC Center for Student Health and Well-Being. Proceeds came from paid additional hits beyond the three free swings each participant received, as well as rivalry week t-shirt sales on site. Mental health is a cause that hits close to home for engineering students specifically. High course loads, competitive environments, and demanding programs create real stress, and accessible mental health resources on campus make a tangible difference. Hosting the event at Swearingen, in the heart of the engineering college, wasn’t incidental. We wanted to bring that message directly to our community. Beyond the fundraising, the event drew students from across campus who had no prior connection to Theta Tau or engineering, giving the chapter a platform to normalize conversations around mental wellness in a setting that was loud, fun, and completely approachable.”
The Clemson Car Smash is not just about school spirit – it is a demonstration of what a chapter can accomplish when brothers collaborate toward a shared goal. From the first emails sent to insurance providers to the final swing of the day, every step was driven by brothers who wanted to leave a mark on campus culture while also giving back to the community. Jack states, “I wanted to make my mark on campus and make something that I could leave behind.” This initiative and drive is what defines not only our chapter, but Theta Tau as a whole.
The Zeta Delta chapter is proud to have revived and grown this tradition and looks forward to continuing the Car Smash as a fixture of rivalry week at the University of South Carolina.
