Howard's Rock, of Clemson University, now has a big chunk broken off.

Clemson confirmed speculations and rumors with a press release Wednesday stating the iconic rock had been vandalized. The rock sits in front of the school's Memorial Field and has been a fixture and pre-game tradition since the 60s. Before each home game, the Clemson Tigers touch the rock before running on to the field.

The release said "Howard's Rock," named after the team's legendary head coach Frank Howard, was vandalized either 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," the release stated.

Clemson Athletic Director Dan Radakovich said the vandalism would have serious consequences.

"We take vandalism, especially of such an important part of our history, very seriously," he said. "Police are investigating."

The release also said no damage was done to the pedestal bearing the rock's name on which it sits.

The rock was given to Howard in the 60s from a friend and Clemson alum. It was presented to Howard with the saying: "Here's a rock from Death Valley, California to Death Valley, South Carolina."

Howard then supposedly kept it around as a doorstop and, in 1966, told a colleague to throw it in a ditch. Instead, the colleague put it on a pedestal in front of the stadium in a place where the players would run by it before the game.

The Tigers ran by the rock for the first time on Sept. 24, 1966 and beat their conference rival Virginia 40-35. Howard seized "The Rock" after the game and told his players "give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off my rock." The adage has stuck with the Clemson football team, as has the rock.

Another tradition arose after the rock was first vandalized in 1992. Now the Clemson Army ROTC protects the rock for the 24 hours leading up to the Clemson-South Carolina game every year.