Howard's Rock is a stone mounted at the top of The Hill at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. Its place in Clemson football history makes it a distinctive stop near the stadium and campus, whether you are tracing the team's traditions or planning a stadium visit.
- Location: The Hill, at the east end of Memorial Stadium.
- From the hotel: About a 25-minute walk or 4-minute drive.
- Tradition: Clemson players rub the rock before running down The Hill.
- Game-day timing: The team run takes place approximately 10 minutes before home-game kickoff.
Where to find Howard's Rock
Howard's Rock is mounted on a pedestal at the top of The Hill, at the east end of Memorial Stadium. The stadium is also commonly known as Death Valley, so you may see both names used when looking up this Clemson landmark.
The historical marker for Howard's Rock is listed on Williamson Drive, north of Fort Hill Street. Its coordinates are 34° 40.733′ N, 82° 50.517′ W. The stone itself is part of the stadium setting, rather than a separate attraction elsewhere on campus.
Why the rock matters to Clemson
Howard's Rock is tied to Clemson's pregame tradition of rubbing the stone before players run down The Hill. The team gathers at the east end of Memorial Stadium before making its entrance into the stadium.
Clemson alumnus S.C. Jones ’19 brought the stone from Death Valley, California, and gave it to coach Frank Howard. Clemson Athletics says it was first placed on its pedestal on September 24, 1966, when Clemson defeated Virginia 40–35. Players began rubbing it before the first game of the 1967 season, a 23–6 win over Wake Forest on September 23.
The stadium has its own history. Memorial Stadium opened on September 19, 1942, with a 32–13 Clemson win over Presbyterian College. Its playing surface was named Frank Howard Field in 1974.
What visitors should know about access
Howard's Rock is at the stadium, but the available facts do not establish when or whether visitors can approach it. Stadium access can depend on circumstances, so check the official site before you go; Clemson Athletics is the source for information about the rock and the team's game-day traditions.
The rock was moved in late March 2000 during east-end-zone renovations and returned to its usual position on August 22, 2000. A new granite pedestal carved by John Fernandez was unveiled on August 24, 2000, at the top of The Hill.
How can you pair Howard's Rock with Memorial Stadium and campus?
Plan the rock as part of a stop at Memorial Stadium, since it stands within the stadium's east end. For background on the venue and game-day logistics, read this guide to Memorial Stadium tickets, parking and game-day planning.
If you are also visiting Clemson University, the campus tour guide can help you plan that part of your day. The team's run down The Hill is a home-game tradition, not a separate daily attraction: Clemson Athletics says the players board three buses before the Hill entrance, ride behind the North stands to the east end zone, then disembark at the top. The run takes place approximately 10 minutes before kickoff.
Plan a Clemson University campus tour if you want to add campus context to your stadium-area visit.
A practical visit from the hotel
Howard's Rock is about a 25-minute walk or 4-minute drive from James F. Martin Inn. If you are walking, allow time to reach the stadium's east end and locate The Hill; the hotel-to-landmark walking time is about 25 minutes.
For a home game, the team entrance is timed close to kickoff, so check Clemson Athletics for current stadium access and game details before setting your schedule. Away from game day, confirm whether the stadium area is accessible before making the rock the focus of your visit.
FAQs
Where is Howard's Rock in Clemson?
It is mounted on a pedestal at the top of The Hill, at the east end of Memorial Stadium.
Why do Clemson players rub Howard's Rock?
Rubbing the rock is a Clemson team tradition before players run down The Hill.
When does the team run down The Hill?
At home games, the run takes place approximately 10 minutes before kickoff.
Can visitors access Howard's Rock?
Access details are not established here. Check Clemson Athletics before you go for current information about reaching the stadium area.