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An auto dealership in Indiana is facing scrutiny for backing out on a prize promised to a college student due to a technicality. During the season opener at Purdue University, Rohrman Automotive Group organized a “Kicks for Cash” contest where students had to complete three field goals in 30 seconds to win a two-year car lease. Contestant Zachary Spangler successfully made all three goals, earning enthusiastic applause from a crowd of nearly 60,000 fans. However, shortly afterward, the dealership informed him that he had missed the final kick by just a fraction of a second, prompting significant public backlash against Rohrman. As a result, the dealership ultimately decided to honor the reward they initially promised.
The controversy began on August 31 when Spangler hit 20-, 30-, and 40-yard field goals at Ross-Ade Stadium during the contest held during the Purdue versus Indiana State game. According to Purdue’s The Exponent independent student newspaper, Spangler was the second student to clinch the competition, and the promise of a two-year car lease was anticipated. That was the expectation shared by Spangler and the thousands in attendance.
Shortly after learning of his win, Spangler received an email from Trey Rohrman, Director of Operations at Bob Rohrman Honda, stating that video footage had shown the last kick was slightly late. According to Automotive News, Spangler was informed that the kick was “five-hundredths of a second late.” Consequently, even though he completed his kicks in 30.05 seconds, the promised two-year lease was no longer an option. Instead, he was offered a $250 consolation prize, a stark contrast to the anticipated car lease.
Spangler expressed that he was never informed that the kick had to be completed before 30 seconds elapsed. He insisted he was simply told to “just go out there and kick.” In a statement to The Exponent, Rohrman acknowledged that they were disappointed Spangler believed he had accomplished the challenge, stating their decision was not personal but based on principle and rules.
Spangler and his fellow students reacted strongly to the news, with Spangler reporting a collective expression of disbelief, exclaiming, “That’s bullshit!” Initially, Rohrman stood firm on its decision, supporting their insurance company’s ruling, but eventually faced mounting pressure.
Competing dealerships began reaching out to Spangler with offers for free two-year leases, and even a nearby restaurant joined the effort, proposing a year of complimentary burgers for him. The negative public sentiment surrounding Rohrman became so intense that it prompted the dealership to reverse its position and provide Spangler with the originally promised prize. They also amended the rules for future “Kicks for Cash” events, removing the 30-second requirement altogether, stating that Spangler’s impressive performance deserved recognition, according to The Exponent.
Ultimately, the dealership gave Spangler a choice between the two-year lease or a $5,000 cash prize. After discussing his options with his family, he opted for the cash instead of the lease since he already had a reliable vehicle. Additionally, the dealership announced it would donate another $5,000 to the university’s Ross-Ade Brigade to support student travel for away games. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for auto dealers: pulling rewards from contest winners is often more trouble than it’s worth.
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