Vitello Takes Part in ‘Chest Bumps for Charity’ Event
A University of Tennessee fraternity used the suspension of baseball coach Tony Vitello for chest-bumping an umpire as a chance to raise money last week for an organization serving active military members and veterans.
Vitello offered a chest bump to anyone who had $2 to donate to the Wounded Warriors Project.
The popular coach already was scheduled to appear at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon event on campus where participants could throw at a dunk tank as well.
“After what transpired last weekend, we thought it would be kind of a funny gag if he gave some chest bumps to students,” said fraternity chapter secretary and event organizer Gerard Tavoleti. “He thought it was a funny little gag, so he obliged our request.”
The NCAA suspended Vitello for four games for chest-bumping third-base umpire Jeffrey Macias during a confrontation in the first inning of the Vols’ game against Alabama last Saturday.
Other things in Friday’s game set the scene for a testy Saturday affair, as well. Tennessee — a team that often infuriates opponents with its celebrations — didn’t like the way Alabama celebrated its win in the series-opener, and Vols junior pitcher Will Mabrey had choice words for the Tide in his postgame interview.
Vitello returned to the dugout Sunday at Florida.
Vitello chest-bumped about 10 students during the 10-20 minutes he was at the event and successfully dunked a fraternity member — though it took him more than one throw. Football coach Josh Huepel needed just one throw to do the same. The chest bumps and dunk tank raised more than $1,000.
During his two-game suspension in 2018, Vitello raised money for another charity by hosting a pizza party and lemonade stand outside Lindsay Nelson Stadium while the Vols were playing Vanderbilt inside.
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