An articulated athletic goal can be raised to a high position and/or a low position relative to the game position, for safety and security. The crossbar and uprights are supported on the end of a boom pivoted on a vertical column and powered by a hydraulic actuator, which may be operated remotely. Through either a parallel linkage or a separate hydraulic actuator, the uprights are held in a substantially vertical orientation throughout the pivoting motion. In a preferred embodiment, the boom is mounted on a single pivot and articulation enables the boom to be oriented substantially vertically downward. The boom is provided with a second, smaller, actuator, for releasing the crossbar/upright assembly when it is near the field, completely separating the crossbar/upright assembly from the boom. The sacrificial crossbar/upright assembly may then be removed by spectators without the dangerous and destructive mob action previously associated with after-game celebrations. A replacement crossbar/upright assembly is easily attached and readied for the next use.