Tearing down the goal posts after a rousing football victory is a time-honored college tradition. However, UNM officials are concerned for fan safety and say they are tired of paying the large tab that accompanies the act.
Scott Dotson, UNM's assistant athletic director in charge of facilities, said football fans have torn down six goal posts at University Stadium since 1997, bringing with them a hefty price tag.
To keep costs low, the Athletics department often just buys the "goose neck," the top portion of the post that breaks when a large amount of weight is put on it, such as a mob of rowdy college students.
"Still, we're looking at nearly $1,100 every time after labor," Dotson said. "If it's during the season and we anticipate that the goal posts might come down again, we will just weld another piece on."
Dotson said after the season is over and the goal posts need to be completely replaced, they come with a much larger price - $2,368 a piece.
UNM's Athletics department is collaborating with the University's police department to decide on a permanent policy regarding the tearing down of the goal posts, Dotson said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
UNM police officers kept fans away from the posts on Sept. 27 after the Lobos beat NMSU. However, police officers could not prevent fans from breaking the north end zone goal post in half and carrying it around the field after Saturday's homecoming victory over Utah State.
UNMPD officials could not be reached for comment.
"More important than the cost is the safety of our fans," said Bill Richards, assistant athletic director in charge of finances at UNM. "We appreciate the support we are receiving from the fans, but those goal posts weigh a lot and they can come down fast. We are just looking out for their best interest."
Dotson said many colleges have implemented zero-tolerance policies for allowing fans onto the field after football games and he hopes it doesn't come to that at UNM.
"We support the fans in trying to be as big a part of the game as possible, but tearing down goal posts is dangerous and comes with a bill that we can't continue to pay," Dotson said.
Greg Remington, director of media relations for the University's Athletics department, said he knows that traditions such as going onto the field and tearing down the goal posts after football victories are a part of college football, but he hopes UNM's fans can keep their excitement in the stands.
"Our fans are essential to the success of our sports teams and we are happy about the enthusiasm they have shown so far this year," Remington said. "But, they need to contain that enthusiasm to the stands."
