Tennessee seeks money to replace goalposts at Neyland Stadium
KNOXVILLE, Tenn – It’s been two days since the Tennessee Volunteers stunned No.1 ranked University of Alabama 52-49.
Volunteers placekicker Chris McGrath converted a 40-yard field goal as time expired to win the game and deliver Tennessee its first victory over the Crimson Tide in 16 seasons. Within minutes, the field of Neyland Stadium was covered with several fans who rushed to the field to celebrate the momentous occasion. Alabama head coach Nick Saban received a police escort through the crowd as he returned to the visitors locker room. But the party didn't stop on the field.
Vols fans climbed the field goal posts in Neyland Stadium, eventually taking them down and leading them out of the stadium. The goal posts went out for a night on the town they won't soon forget.
Eventually, the field goalposts found themselves in the nearby Tennessee River with fans dumping the uprights into the water.
Now Tennessee has a bit of a problem on its hands. First, they were fined $100,000 by the Southeastern Conference for the wild celebration. Furthermore, the Volunteers have a game this coming week against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks but the field goalposts have yet to be recovered.
With time running out, the university has turned to the public in an effort to crowdfund for new goalposts.
Fans can donate $16, a nod to how many years it has been since a Volunteers victory. A $52.49 donation is available which is a playoff for the final score of the contest. Lastly, a donation of $1,019.15 which is a nod to the sold-out crowd of 101,915 that saw the action live at Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
As of midnight Sunday, Tennessee had raised nearly $67,000 toward this effort, which is 45% of the goal.
"We thought this was a fun way to invite Vol Nation to continue in the celebration," athletic director Danny White told ESPN. "We had heard before and during the game that the fans would support a celebration, no matter the cost, so we leaned into that enthusiasm."