Mafrige Rock Now Part Of Bowers Tradition

GoBearkats.com tells of the new Mafrige Rock tradition:

Saturday [Nov. 9], in a pregame ceremony at the regular season home finale versus Nicholls State, a new addition to Bowers Stadium was introduced in the southwest corner of the stadium in memory of the longtime Bearkat benefactor. The Mafrige Rock, a 58-inch tall block of Texas granite on a pedestal three feet by three feet, now sits at the bottom of the ramp the Sam Houston football team descends each game at Bowers. As the players exit the ramp, they will touch the rock then head onto the playing field.

Ronald Mafrige, who passed away in August, 2011, was a generous supporter of Bearkat athletics. Nicknamed "The Rock" by his friends and fraternity brothers in college, the 1960 Sam Houston graduate contributed more than $2 million to the university.

Inspiration for the monument came from Mafrige’s lifelong friends and Delt fraternity brothers John Bright and Ron Koska.

"John and Ron wanted to find a way to recognize Ron Mafrige’s contributions to this campus," SHSU athletic director Bobby Williams said. "Our department is honored that the Mafrige family, John and Ron have allowed us to implement this new tradition to celebrate a great person. The addition of the monument was announced at our ‘Night of Champions’ celebration last April."

Mafrige led and participated in numerous Sam Houston organizations and initiatives. The Houston real estate entrepreneur served as National Campaign Chair for Sam Houston’s first capital campaign.