38. Bjork: Ole Miss Athletics Accepting Donations for $50K Fine, Replacement Goal Posts

After this story, donations far exceeded the amount needed to pay off fines and replace the goal posts torn down after the Alabama victory, and a scholarship fund was created in Chucky Mullins’ honor. To view more projects, visit Ignite.OleMiss.edu.

After Ole Miss defeated Alabama 23-17 for the first time in 11 years, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium erupted and the fans charged the field. As expected, the Rebels were slapped with a $50,000 penalty.
Ole Miss athletics director Ross Bjork took the fine in stride, lightheartedly tweeting to the Rebel family masses to help the school pay the fine.

Event Group security officers gave up trying to stop students and fans from jumping over the walls and instead began helping people over the walls safely. HottyToddy.com editor Amelia Camurati was on the sidelines and had this dialogue with one guard.
Camurati: “You know if we win this game, your job is about to get a lot harder.”
Guard: “If we win this game, I’m taking off my work shirt and rushing the field with them.”
Ole Miss received a $50,000 incremental fine after rushing the field after the win over LSU in 2013 and a $25,000 fine for the Egg Bowl of 2012. NCAA rules state a $25,000 fine will be implemented for the first infraction and $50,000 every time after that.
Bjork also is accepting donations to replace the goal posts, which made a miraculous trip from the Vaught to the Grove, around the Square and eventually landed in this lucky young man’s apartment.

But, like any athletic director, Bjork enjoyed the win for the school as much as the fans did, high-fiving fans on the sidelines as students rush past. He knew, like everyone else, that a fine was coming as soon as the fans hit the field, but it seems the win was worth the money.

Amelia Camurati is editor-in-chief of HottyToddy.com and can be reached at amelia.camurati@hottytoddy.com.