Howard's Rock Vandalism Update: Two More North Carolina Men Arrested
ByTwo more men from North Carolina have been arrested in the vandalism case of Clemson University's iconic and ceremonial Howard's Rock, ESPN reported.
Michael J. Rodgers, 46, of Pisgah, N.C. and Alden James Ganey, 17, of Brevard, N.C., were charged by Clemson police with felony counts of conspiracy and obstructing justice.
The two men appeared Friday before a Pickens County Magistrate and were released on $7,500 personal recognizance bond. Micah Rodgers, 18, also of Pisgah, N.C., was already arrested in late June and was charged with felony malicious injury to real property and a misdemeanor unlawful entry into enclosed places.
Howard's Rock, an iconic fixture for Clemson football sits at the east end of the Tigers' football stadium. Players touch the rock as they go by and head down the hill for home games.
In early June, the rock was found with its protective casing shattered and a large chunk broken off.
The suspects' truck, a 1993 Ford F-250, was caught on surveillance tape and released prior to the first arrest. Capt. Eric Hendricks said Micah Rodgers jumped over the fence to get to the rock, but did not say how he destroyed the casing or broke the rock.
As far as officials know, he did not have a connection to the school other than a Clemson bumper sticker on the truck and memorabilia in his home.
The rock is named after Clemson's legendary football coach Frank Howard. It was a gift to the coach in the 60s from a Clemson graduate with the message: "Here's a rock from Death Valley, California to Death Valley, South Carolina."
Howard used it as a doorstop for a while before telling a colleague to get rid of it. Instead, the colleague put it on a pedestal in front of the stadium so the players would run past it before the game. The first time the team did so was Sept. 24, 1966, a game against their rival Virginia, which they won 40-35.
Seizing the opportunity, Howard grabbed the rock and told his players, "Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off my rock."
The adage has stuck with the football team since.