Host teams in the Southeastern Conference whose fans storm the field or the court after an upset will now face a set fine of $500,000, commissioner Greg Sankey announced on Thursday at the SEC’s spring meetings.
The SEC had previously implemented an escalating fine system, starting at $100,000 for a first offense. The fine would then increase to $250,000 for a second offense, then all future offenses would cost the host program $500,000 apiece.
“The motivation was ‘field rushing is field rushing, the first time or the 18th time,'” Sankey said. “The random nature of, if you’re the one getting rushed, it doesn’t feel good. It might be the first time (it happened) there, but it might be your sixth time in a row, literally.”
The SEC will also have the option to waive the fine if the opponent and the officiating crew are allowed to vacate the field before it is rushed by fans.
Per SEC policy, “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest may spectators enter the competition area.”
One of the more memorable field stormings occurred last October, when Vanderbilt shocked then-No. 1 Alabama in Nashville, with fans tearing down the goal posts and carrying them to the Cumberland River. That cost Vanderbilt $100,000, which went to Alabama. The Crimson Tide also received $100,000 apiece from Tennessee and Oklahoma after both host programs upset Alabama last season.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin recently said he understands why fans rush the field after an upset, but he is concerned with the safety of players and coaches when the storming occurs.
“The fan storming thing is a little tough,” Kiffin said. “They don’t do it in the NFL. I get it. It’s pretty cool, but then it can be aggravating because they’re storming and you’re worried about them hitting you, what’s going on, what are they gonna do?
“It’s very invasive at that point. But I think if they could just let everybody out and then let the fans on so they can tear the goal post down, because that stuff is cool.”
