University of Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne suggested a different approach for schools whose teams storm the courts and fields after big upsets: pursuing win-loss records.
Byrne said Monday that a forfeit was considered a way to stop the game after Duke star Kyle Filipovski tweaked his ankle as Wake Forest fans packed the court after a weekend win. He suggested that it would be possible.
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Greg Byrne of the University of Alabama works during selection for the Division I men’s basketball tournament at Hotel Carmichael on March 8, 2023 in Carmel, Indiana. (Jamie Schwabelow/NCAA Photo via Getty Images)
“Kids aren’t going to be in the stands saying, ‘I don’t want to do this because the school will be fined $200,000,'” Byrne said at the Birmingham Tip Off Club, via AL.com. Ta. “That doesn’t enter their minds. But if they knew that the game they were just in led to that great victory, they knew they were going to lose that game right away. If they did, they would stop.” ”
Mr Byrne pointed to an incident in which one of the school’s student administrators was injured in a courtroom attack and thought he was “losing an eye”.
He said something more needed to be done.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas hints at serious consequences for fans who storm the court
Tennessee fans celebrate by storming the field after a game against Alabama at Neyland Stadium. (Carlos M. Saavedra/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The SEC has rules for when fans from schools crowd the court. For a first offense, the fine is $100,000. The second time is 2.5 million yen. A third offense will result in a $500,000 fine.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips addressed Saturday’s incident after the Duke-Wake Forest game.
“Across college athletics, we have seen too many incidents like this that put individuals at grave risk. We need the cooperation of everyone, including spectators, to ensure everyone’s health,” Phillips said in a statement. Stated.
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Wake Forest’s Cameron Hildreth, 2, drives to the basket as fans crowd the court at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. ). (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
“As a conference, we will continue to evaluate with schools how best to protect our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”
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