The anxiously awaited win of Tennessee football over Alabama led fans to storm the field at Neyland stadium. The monumental win resulted in Tennessee fans ripping down one of the goalposts that had stood since 1998.

“It only takes four to five people over the weight of 200 lbs to take down the goalposts,” said Tennessee physics professor Del Maestro. “The goalpost itself is no more than 500 pounds.”

After 16 years of falling short to the Crimson Tide, Tennessee fans raved with excitement after this big win. Although the goalpost made its way around Knoxville, many of the remains of the post ended in the Tennessee River.

The excitement of the fans calmed down, but the realization that a goalpost must be replaced before the next game on Saturday stirred a new craze.

The Vols football Twitter page said, “Y’all remember how we tore the goalposts down, hauled it out of Neyland and dumped it in the Tennessee River…. It turns out we need to order one before next week’s game.”

Tennessee football called for action from fans, alumni, fellow members of the Alabama hate club and anyone else that could raise money for the team’s new goalpost. Not only was the fundraiser created to pay for the replacement goalpost, but also for the fine of $100,000 due to fans storming the field.

The online fundraiser, Volstarter, was created in conjunction with the university’s “My All” campaign which supports all 20 varsity athletic programs. The Volstarter fundraising campaign had many tentative donation options regarding the Vols’ win against the Crimson Tide.

Options included: a $16 donation representing the number of years since the Vols had beaten Alabama, a $52.49 donation that represents the final score, and a $1,019.15 donation that represents the number of fans at Neyland Stadium on the day of the game.

The New Goalpost Fund attracted 3,064 donors, and a total of $161,229 was raised.

“The fundraiser Tennessee created gained much attention,” said junior Keller Pantsari, a mass communication major. “My Twitter feed only consisted of the fundraiser, so I started keeping up with the donations. I was really impressed with how quickly the money was raised.”

“I donated to the Volstarter page,” said junior Jack Mclughlin, a management information systems major. “I was ecstatic for the Vols beating Alabama. The excitement of it all convinced me to donate.” 

Many college football fans agree that they would donate to their favorite teams if they were ever in this dilemma.

“My loyalty to Georgia runs deep. If something like this were to happen, I would have been the first to donate,” said junior psychology major, Abbee Walters. “It was understandable how much attention that situation received. I think most loyal football followers consider how much they would do for their home teams.”

The University of Tennessee took on the initiative regarding the new goalposts. The central point of the posts itself must be strengthened in hopes of it standing against generations of Vols fans to come.