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Expert: - 12/5/2011


Question
Hello - I recently attended the Boston College, Wake Forest football game at Boston College. At the end of the game individuals took down the goal posts, and then put them back up a few minutes later. Do you know why they did this? Is it officials measuring them for accuracy to rule dimensions?? Been to many college games at Chestnut Hill and I never noticed them doing this before.

Thanks
Stephen

Answer
Stephen
Thanks for the question.  Most likely the reason the goal posts were taken down after the game and then put back up was so that fans following the game would not go down on the field and tear the goal post down as a celebratory act.  As you might know, the tradition of fans tearing down goal post to celebrate a victory is something that is done, but over the past several years (and this past weekend in the Oklahoma State game)has had tragic results, where fans are injured.  So likely what you saw was game management personnel taking down the goal post as a safety measure. Also goal posts are rather costly so stadium management wants to protect the goal post from damage as well.   We as official never measure the goal post, it is assumed the manufacturer and installer have complied with the measurement rules.  It is the responsibility of the home team to assure the field and goal post comply with the rules.

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