LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vanderbilt’s football fans should be celebrated, not punished

An alumnus argues that students should not be penalized for tearing down and carrying the goalposts downtown following Vanderbilt Football’s win over No. 1 Alabama.

By Larkin Matthews, Guest Writer

Oct 17, 2024

Students attempt to take down field goalposts following Vanderbilt’s defeat of No. 1 Alabama, as photographed on Oct. 5, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Nikita Rohila)

Nikita Rohila

Dear Editor,

I commend those who carried the goalposts and heaved the pipe into the Cumberland River. When this happens at Tennessee, the Cumberland is around the corner from the stadium, not three miles down Broadway. I wish it had been done in ’69, but then Alabama was not No. 1.

The participants are to be congratulated for their enthusiasm and energy, not castigated or penalized for some disciplinary infraction. If the university tries to identify them, will it use facial recognition software? Will they have a full hearing before a disciplinary board? Will the administration create some rump court or conduct Star Chamber proceedings?

There are so many ways for the administration to foul up: just declare a truce and let the malefactors be. The school should not dare to ask me for donations if they pursue the punishment course.

Just congratulate the hardy souls who executed the trek, and let it blowover. They could even give the sliced/diced goalpost to the team members, the marching band, the coaching staff and the cheerleaders. There are so many ways for this to be a great result.

A little reward and recognition for their hard work will go a long way to boosting enthusiasm.

Sincerely,

Larkin Matthews ‘70

About the Contributors

Larkin Matthews, Guest

Larkin Matthews (B.A. ‘70) is a proud graduate of Vanderbilt University. After earning his undergraduate degree, he returned to San Antonio, then moved to Austin for graduate school, and has been in Houston since 1978. Along with his daughter, a Vanderbilt ‘05 alumna, he continues to cheer for Vanderbilt successes in academics and athletics.

Nikita Rohila, Senior Staff Photographer

Nikita Rohila ('25) is from a small town in Arkansas and is majoring in psychology and medicine, health and society in the College of Arts and Science. She previously served as Deputy Photography Editor. During her free time, she enjoys roaming around the city and getting cinematic-style shots for her photography account. You can reach her at [email protected].

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bfrank

1 month ago

Totally agree. The Administration should not be trying to figure out how to punish these students, but instead should be sharing in the exuberant joy that they felt and were expressing. A verbal scolding makes sense, pursuing actual punishments seems cold and cruel. And, yes, the absurd idea that the Administration is going to somehow identify and investigate who of the hundreds of students?? If it was a “bad” thing to do, why is the Administration slicing up the goal post and auctioning it off?