Rushing the field or basketball court has become an all-too-common appearance in today’s world of college athletics. Fans are often excited by huge wins and want to celebrate with their team.
However, this can be dangerous for staff, personnel, and players on the field for both teams. So how does the NCAA combat this? Well just let congress do the work for you, that was the Mark Emmert approach.
According to James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat, a former national champion and Super Bowl champion wants to have rushing the field by fans banned. This also included throwing objects.
Per Call’s report:
The former NFL defensive tackle who won a national championship at Florida State University wants to levy first-degree misdemeanor charges, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, for knowingly entering the field of play or space reserved for a performance before, during and after the event.
Simon has teamed up with Rep. Taylor Yarkosky, R-Monteverde, to define prohibited conduct at live events, including where members of the public cannot go during a scheduled event.
We witnessed the fans of the Tennessee Volunteers rush the field after their win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, which resulted in goalposts being thrown into the Tennessee River.
The goalposts being torn down resulted in a $100,000 fine and the athletic director setting up a request to pay for new ones. According to Volstarter, they were able to raise 107% of the funds.
This could be banned if Corey Simon and his committee have their way. Or at least those who partake in this event will be fined and could see jail time.
With that many screaming fans rushing onto the field or basketball court, I am not sure how you would be able to police it. But I guess they will at least try to do so, in an effort to thwart fans from endangering those in the field of play.
Here is the breakdown of the new bill according to the Tallahassee Democrat:
The three-page bill defines what areas are off limits to the general public, who is protected from “interference” from the public, and when the prohibitions are in effect. Provisions include:
- One is prohibited from knowingly entering the “covered area of a sporting or entertainment” — where the performance will occur, from when the gates to the event are open until the gates are closed after the event’s conclusion.
- Events covered by the proposal include athletic, artistic, theatrical or other entertainment performances.
- Attendees cannot “place, drop, toss or hurl any substance, object or dangerous instrument upon the covered area.
- Dangerous instrument is defined as any object, article or substance, including saliva, capable of causing death or other serious injury.
- Participants protected are officiating crew members, players, coach, manager, groundskeeper, security, or any artistic or theatrical performers.
It is never a dull moment in college athletics.