UPDATE: Arrest Made In Connection To Howard’s Rock Vandalism

Dillon Cheverere12 years ago

From WBTV:

Clemson University officials announced that an 18-year-old North Carolina man was arrested Friday in connection with the Howard’s Rock vandalism case.

Campus police announced that Micah Rogers, of Pisgah Forest, was arrested and charged with malicious injury to real property and unlawful entry to enclosed places.

It is also being reported that Rogers sports a Clemson sticker on his 1993 Ford F-250. Why would you do that to your own team, dick head?

From Clemson.edu:

Howard’s Rock, the iconic fixture Clemson players rub prior to running down the hill during the football team’s entrance into Memorial Stadium, was vandalized sometime June 2 or 3.

A small portion of the Rock was broken off of its pedestal after vandals broke the casing that protects the artifact.

“We take vandalism, especially of such an important part of our history, very seriously,” said Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich. “Police are investigating.”

There was no damage to the pedestal that supports the rock.

Here’s the before and after:

Savages.

Howard’s Rock, for those living under a rock (let me know if this joke is a swing and miss, because I feel pretty good about it), is part of the iconic pre-game tradition for the Clemson Tigers football team. Before every game since 1966, the players rub the rock before running down the hill and taking the field inside Memorial Stadium. The rock was transported to Clemson in ’66 from Death Valley, California. It was named after Hall of Fame coach Frank Howard, Clemson’s all-time winningest coach.

The perps (or perp) better keep their heads on a swivel once their names are known to the public, and once that info is finally released, they better hightail it to the police station pronto. You simply don’t mess with a college football fan’s team or team traditions, especially in that part of the country.

Finally, attending a Clemson football game is on my sports bucket list. I’ve heard great things.

[via Clemson.edu, CBS Sports]

Images via OrangeAndWhite.com