Lehigh apologizes after students hurl goalpost off bridge into Lehigh River; police investigating

UPDATE — Bad news for Lehigh goalpost revelers: The county prosecutor is a Lafayette alum

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A football goalpost that Lehigh University students carried triumphantly on a four-mile trek before heaving it in the Lehigh River isn’t in the river anymore.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said the university had the post retrieved from the river Saturday night.

“We’re trying to identify the individuals that brought the goalpost into the city and subsequently threw it off the bridge," Kott told LehighValleyNews.com on Monday.

"We have been in contact with the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office as well as Lehigh University Police Department.”

Lehigh said it also is investigating and issued a statement apologizing for the disruption.

City Engineer Mike Alkhal, who heads the public works department, said the goalpost was removed from the river before city crews got involved.

“It wasn’t necessarily going to harm anything,” he said. “But it obviously couldn’t be left there.”

Kott said about 300 students carried the goalpost from Lehigh's Goodman Stadium, over the mountain and through South Bethlehem before throwing it off the bridge and into the Lehigh.

It was captured on video that went viral on social media after Lehigh’s 38-14 defeat of rival Lafayette College. The victory earned Lehigh the Patriot League championship and an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Lehigh University spokeswoman Amy White released a statement Monday night.

"Amid the excitement, some fans took the celebration too far," the university said in a statement. "While toppling a goalpost was once viewed by some as a tradition, Lehigh University apologizes for the actions of those who forced down the goalpost and removed it from Goodman Stadium. We regret the disruption and safety concerns caused by fans."

According to the statement, members of Lehigh's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) removed the goalpost debris from the river.

Ignored police directives

Kott said the mob ignored several police announcements to disperse along the route from Goodman to the bridge.

Officers “took positions to keep motorists from encountering the large group of students,” she said. “Officers continued to monitor the group to ensure that there was no property damage as the group made its way through town.”

There were no injuries or property damage reported on city streets, according to Kott.

“The group ignored commands and at 4:19 p.m. the goalpost was thrown off the Fahy Bridge into the Lehigh River,” she said.

Alkhal, who went to Penn State, said he’s familiar with the practice of tearing down goalposts to celebrate a big victory.

Heaving it in a body of water? Not so much.

“Quite honestly, I wasn’t thrilled with that,” he said. “I’m trying to have a sense of humor.

“Fortunately it’s taken care of already and I’m sure there’s minimal impact" on the river, he said. “And some people got a kick out of it.

“But I can see people not liking it, especially the throwing it in the river part. It’s not necessary. I would have preferred they didn’t do that either.

"They can have fun, just walk it around town.”

Said Lehigh in its statement: "While the university investigates the matter, we remain proud of the long standing and collegial celebrations of Rivalry Week, commend Lafayette on their football season, and look forward to cheering the Mountain Hawks on throughout the playoffs."

Lehigh vs. Lafayette is the most-played rivalry in Division I football. They have met 160 times dating to 1884.

The full text of Lehigh's statement:

On Saturday, a sold-out crowd witnessed Lehigh football capture the Patriot League Championship and a bid to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2017. The university is proud of the thrilling, well-played game by the football team.

Amid the excitement, some fans took the celebration too far. While toppling a goal post was once viewed by some as a tradition, Lehigh University apologizes for the actions of those who forced down the goal post and removed it from Goodman Stadium. We regret the disruption and safety concerns caused by fans. 

We are thankful for the quick response of the Lehigh University Police Department and Bethlehem Police Department to keep the revelers and the community safe, and for members of Lehigh University ROTC who quickly removed the goal post debris from the river. 

While the university investigates the matter, we remain proud of the long standing and collegial celebrations of Rivalry Week, commend Lafayette on their football season, and look forward to cheering the Mountain Hawks on throughout the playoffs.