Howard’s Rock Temporarily Moved

March 31, 2000

With construction beginning on the east endzone of Memorial Stadium, Clemson athletic officials were forced to move Howard’s Rock. Clemson football players touch the famous rock before Running Down the Hill on game days. It is believed that this is the first time the rock has been moved since being placed at the top of the hill in 1966.

The 20-pound rock is now being housed in the Clemson IPTAY-Ticket Office Complex. It will return to the hill once construction has been completed.

History of Howard’s Rock When the Clemson team gathers to Run Down the Hill the players rub Howard’s Rock because of the mystical powers it is supposed to give Clemson players.

The rock is mounted on a pedestal at the top of the hill and was given to Coach Frank Howard by a friend (S.C. Jones’ 19) who picked it up in Death Valley, Calif. The Rock was first placed on the pedestal at the top of the hill on September 24, 1966, a game Clemson won 40-35 over Virginia.

The team started rubbing the rock for the first game of 1967, a 23-6 win over Wake Forest on September 23, 1967.