If you don't think college football is serious in the state of Alabama, read the story below.
AUBURN — Just in case they don’t get to do it again, they showed up Wednesday.
The long standing tradition of rolling the century-old oak trees Toomer’s Corner after an Auburn victory was amended after the shocking news release from the university came that afternoon: The trees had been poisoned with a herbicide and are not expected to survive, and the act was apparently deliberate.
The university discovered the poisoning of the trees after a caller to the Paul Finebaum radio show claimed he had applied a herbicide, Spike 80DF, in retaliation for vandalism done on the University of Alabama campus.
“Al from Dadeville” told Finebaum on his show on Jan. 27 that he did it in response to Auburn fans putting a Cam Newton jersey on the Paul “Bear” Bryant statue.
“Let me tell you what I did: After the Iron Bowl, I went to Auburn because I live 30 miles away, and I poisoned the two Toomer’s trees,” said the man who identified himself as Al. “I put Spike 80DF on them. They’re not dead yet, but they definitely will die.”
The City of Auburn Police Division is investigating the situation, and Auburn officials are doing what they can to save the trees.
“We are assessing the extent of the damage and proceeding as if we have a chance to save the trees,” said Gary Keever, an Auburn University professor of horticulture. “We are also focused on protecting the other trees and shrubs in Samford Park. At this level the impact could be much greater than just the oaks on the corner, as Spike moves through the soil to a wide area.”
The news sent shockwaves through the Auburn fanbase and across the state. While social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter were erupting with sadness and outrage — spanning across to the Tigers’ arch rivals, Alabama — fans began a impromptu vigil to pay their respects, leaving flowers and rolls of toilet paper adorned with messages such as “Get Well Soon.”
Auburn president Jay Gogue cautioned Auburn fans about retaliation.
“It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism,” he said in the release. “However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed.
“Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts.”
The fear wasn’t necessarily shared by University of Alabama officials, who said they weren’t aware of any extra security or police presence ordered to guard the statues outside Bryant-Denny Stadium. However, after officials were contacted, a police vehicle was seen parked near the stadium.
There are signs posted in the grass outside the north end zone “Walk of Champions” warning “this area is under video surveillance” although it was unclear if they were a response to pro-Auburn vandalism in the area that was relatively minor compared to what allegedly took place at Toomer’s Corner.
Since Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl in November, photos of a Cam Newton jersey taped on Bear Bryant’s statue hit the Internet. An Auburn sticker was also placed on Bryant’s likeness and more recently, the numbers “28-27” were burned into the grass outside the stadium in reference to the final score of the Tigers’ Iron Bowl win.
“It’s an awful act, a terrible thing to do,” Alabama athletics director Mal Moore said in a press release. “A lot of what makes our two programs so special is our many unique traditions. So, hearing this about Toomer’s Corner is upsetting to me in several ways.
“I certainly hope that whomever is responsible is held accountable.”
Read more: Anniston Star - Auburn Majestic trees at Toomer’s Corner poisoned outlook grim
AUBURN — Just in case they don’t get to do it again, they showed up Wednesday.
The long standing tradition of rolling the century-old oak trees Toomer’s Corner after an Auburn victory was amended after the shocking news release from the university came that afternoon: The trees had been poisoned with a herbicide and are not expected to survive, and the act was apparently deliberate.
The university discovered the poisoning of the trees after a caller to the Paul Finebaum radio show claimed he had applied a herbicide, Spike 80DF, in retaliation for vandalism done on the University of Alabama campus.
“Al from Dadeville” told Finebaum on his show on Jan. 27 that he did it in response to Auburn fans putting a Cam Newton jersey on the Paul “Bear” Bryant statue.
“Let me tell you what I did: After the Iron Bowl, I went to Auburn because I live 30 miles away, and I poisoned the two Toomer’s trees,” said the man who identified himself as Al. “I put Spike 80DF on them. They’re not dead yet, but they definitely will die.”
The City of Auburn Police Division is investigating the situation, and Auburn officials are doing what they can to save the trees.
“We are assessing the extent of the damage and proceeding as if we have a chance to save the trees,” said Gary Keever, an Auburn University professor of horticulture. “We are also focused on protecting the other trees and shrubs in Samford Park. At this level the impact could be much greater than just the oaks on the corner, as Spike moves through the soil to a wide area.”
The news sent shockwaves through the Auburn fanbase and across the state. While social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter were erupting with sadness and outrage — spanning across to the Tigers’ arch rivals, Alabama — fans began a impromptu vigil to pay their respects, leaving flowers and rolls of toilet paper adorned with messages such as “Get Well Soon.”
Auburn president Jay Gogue cautioned Auburn fans about retaliation.
“It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism,” he said in the release. “However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed.
“Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts.”
The fear wasn’t necessarily shared by University of Alabama officials, who said they weren’t aware of any extra security or police presence ordered to guard the statues outside Bryant-Denny Stadium. However, after officials were contacted, a police vehicle was seen parked near the stadium.
There are signs posted in the grass outside the north end zone “Walk of Champions” warning “this area is under video surveillance” although it was unclear if they were a response to pro-Auburn vandalism in the area that was relatively minor compared to what allegedly took place at Toomer’s Corner.
Since Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl in November, photos of a Cam Newton jersey taped on Bear Bryant’s statue hit the Internet. An Auburn sticker was also placed on Bryant’s likeness and more recently, the numbers “28-27” were burned into the grass outside the stadium in reference to the final score of the Tigers’ Iron Bowl win.
“It’s an awful act, a terrible thing to do,” Alabama athletics director Mal Moore said in a press release. “A lot of what makes our two programs so special is our many unique traditions. So, hearing this about Toomer’s Corner is upsetting to me in several ways.
“I certainly hope that whomever is responsible is held accountable.”
Read more: Anniston Star - Auburn Majestic trees at Toomer’s Corner poisoned outlook grim
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