Did Clemson University Rivals Vandalize Howard’s Rock?

Howard's Rock, the iconic stone Clemson University players rub before running down the hill during the football team's entrance into Memorial Stadium, was vandalized.

Reports have trickled out that the rock was vandalized on June 2 or June 3, USA Today reports. A chunk was broken off the stone from its pedestal, after vandals broke through the casing that protected it. The casing was built in 1992 to protect the fixture.

Clemson players have rubbed Howard's Rock before taking the field for every home game since 1966. The stone was brought to Death Valley, South Carolina from Death Valley, California by a Tigers alum.

"We take vandalism, especially of such an important part of our history, very seriously," Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a statement, CBS Sports reports. "Police are investigating."

Unfortunately, Clemson is no stranger to incidents of vandalism. Though police have not named any suspects or given any further information, this has not stopped faithful Tiger fans from suggesting the vandalism may be attributed to rivals from Columbia.

A newspaper based in Charleston, South Carolina, The Post and Courier, writes that June 2 or June 3, 2013, the time when police say Howard's Rock was vandalized, "was the same weekend Clemson baseball was playing an NCAA regional in Columbia at South Carolina's stadium."

According to The Clemson Insider, this is the third time someone has tried to remove or vandalize the rock.

"In 1992, the week leading up to the South Carolina game someone or group of people tried to remove Howard's Rock from its pedestal atop the east hill in Memorial Stadium and they took off a piece on the left side of the rock," the paper writes.

The rock is named "Howard's Rock" in honor of former football coach Frank Howard, who began the tradition of the pre-game ritual and was one of the most successful football coaches at Clemson, CBS Sports reports.