Hashtags, Twitter And College Football

Li and Bernoff's Chapter 11 on how connecting with the groundswell can transform a company is literally textbook for how fans interact with their teams and favorite players on a daily basis.

Every professional sports team has a twitter handle and the use of the hashtag is direct access for not only the fan but the team themselves.

Television programs use it as well - especially during sporting events! Have a comment about today's game use the hashtag .... to share with us your thoughts.

Ezekiel Elliott ran for 153 yards vs. Penn State, his FBS-leading 12th consecutive 100-yard game. pic.twitter.com/CjnSUvnhJs

— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 19, 2015

Even colleges and universities use these mediums to ask questions, fact find and do market research. Sometimes, they even allow you to ask questions of specific high profile individuals using these hashtags and twitter questions, like they do at the University of Florida.

Time for this week's #AskAGator. Who's got questions for @BEECox_UF? Reply or use the hashtag to submit. pic.twitter.com/3jmzl4UM5y

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 21, 2015

However, never before what is best described as an job posting on Twitter. The University of Florida has scheduled an open tryout for students to earn the job as the kicker on the football team.

All Call for Kickers! #Gators are looking for walk-on kickers. Visit the football office today by 4:30 PM to sign up for a tryout.

— Gator Recruiting (@_Gators_) October 19, 2015

The Gators are one of the country's premier athletics programs and have won multiple national championships. They are ranked in the top 25 this season but a rash of injuries have left them with out a placekicker for a portion of the season. With nowhere else to turn the football program turned to the student body for help.

Talk about transforming your company! A kicker, while often mocked and ridiculed by some observers, play a crucial role in football contests. Just ask the Patriots with Adam Vinatieri delivering them two of their four Super Bowl titles with game-winning kicks.

With tens of millions of dollars on the line in big-time college football, someone who the football program had no clue even existed most likely until this week, could be the difference in playing for a national championship and the fame and glory that comes with it or the infamy and heartache that goes with not because of a kicking snafu.

 At last check, more than 200 students (and 1 Gator named Albert) have signed up for the open tryout and a decision on who their kicker will be will come in the next week as they prepare to face their biggest rival, Georgia in Jacksonville on Halloween.

Hey @GatorsFB I'm ready! #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/xj7fYZkKFF

— Albert (@AlbertGator) October 20, 2015