T*W*I*S: Auburn Trees’ Poisoning Shows Darkest Side of Fanatics

A fan of the University of Alabama’s football program has allegedly poisoned two live oak trees at historic Toomer’s Corner on the campus of Auburn University last week as an apparent act of retribution for the Tigers’ regular season win over the Crimson Tide and eventual NCAA Division I national championship.  The Atlanta Journal and Constitution’s Web site ajc.com reported that “Rabid Alabama fan Harvey Updyke, 62, who, according to an ex-wife, named his children Bear (presumably in honor of legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant) and Crimson, was charged with criminal mischief for allegedly poisoning the 130-year-old trees. The former Texas state trooper, who police said confessed to the crime while on air with a Birmingham sports talk show host.”  News of the event was met with dismay around the nation.  “We’re from Alabama — you can’t make this s– up,” Auburn alumnus Charles Barkley told ESPN.com.  “Some things just happen (in Alabama), and people want to know why we rank 48th in education. It’s just sad.”  In response to the incident, a TuscaloosaNews.com editorial stated, “The term ‘rogue booster’ conjures up the image of a fat-cat businessman slipping cash to a football recruit, but it applies equally well to the idiot who poisoned those magnificent oaks at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn.”  The piece goes on to say, “It was an odious offense. The oaks at Toomer’s Corner are not simply old trees, any more than Denny Chimes (on the campus of the University of Alabama) is just a pile of old bricks.  They are part of the state’s cultural heritage, symbolic of pride and tradition. Crimson Tide fans understand, respect and honor those values.”