Alabama Trophy Shattered, University Must Pay $30,000 (PHOTO)
A glass championship trophy was shattered after one student's father tripped on a rug and sent the trophy flying to its demise.
The coach's trophy is a piece of history for the University of Alabama. The handmade glass figurine in the shape of a crystallized football was originally made in Ireland. Two trophies existed before the incident, the second which is placed in the Paul W. Bryant Museum. Estimates valued the glass football to be worth $30,000.
The podium, which held the trophy, was placed on top of a red rug. The trophy fell when knocked over by one of the students' fathers, whose foot got caught on the rug and caused the podium to drop. The ball was not secured, and held up by only four thin metal pegs.
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Charley Green, trophy manager for the American Football Coaches Association, suggested that the trophy should have been taped down to the base.
"It's pretty fragile, I guess," Green told ESPN. "It only weighs about eight pounds so I can see where if it gets bumped it would roll off."
The trophy was awarded to Alabama University as a BCS-winning team. Despite the victory, it appears the university has suffered a loss as they will be financially responsible for replacing the shattered victor's mark.
Mel Pulliam, marketing director for the AFCA, which issues the trophy, questioned whether the university had taken out insurance to cover the trophy. At $30,000 the replacement trophy could cost as much as a four year degree from the university.
"It's rare that these things happen. The trophies make hundreds of appearances and celebrations - it's got a pretty good track record," Pulliam told CNN.
Despite the financial setback, the winning team became last season's college football championships, and will still get to enjoy the traditional champions' visit with the president on Thursday.
