All men have the underlying fear of severe trauma or pain to their testicles wired into their brains from a young age.

For college athlete and Brigham Young University student Zach McWhorter, that fear became a reality.

The 21-year-old underwent usual pole vault training like any other day. This would soon be no normal day, however.

McWhorter got all the basics right: he picked up the pole and ran with it quickly and with enough determination to vault. He launched himself into the air and cleared the bar with ease. Just your ordinary pole vault experience, really.

But then the pole changed course and, sadly, so did young Zach McWhorter’s life.

McWhorter descended down to the crash mat, but there was one thing in his way.

Yes, the pole vault had ripped through his shorts and, not stopping there, decided to rip through his testicles too.

Zach’s father, who also trains the student, was on hand to help his son in his hour of need and drove him to the hospital.

Have a breather if you need to because Zach’s words are as horrifying as the footage suggests.

“I could see right into my scrotum," he told BuzzFeed.

"Immediately after the incident, we got in his car and drove to the hospital and he sewed me up. It required 18 stitches!

"Fortunately, as far as I know, there is nothing wrong with my testicles - just a scar. One day, we'll find out if they function or not."

Nothing screams the independence of college like having your dad literally sewing your ballsack up in the car.

McWhorter, now an internet star for this mishap, has left us all with warning lessons if we’re to go out pole vaulting.

Please be vigilant and for the love of God wear shorts with spandex on the inside. This encases your testicles nicely and protects them.

Also, and perhaps more importantly, put a cap on the end of your pole-vaulting pole. This will stop any unwanted damage to your testicles, or any other area.

A true coming-of-age tale from an American campus.