(WHNT) — After the University of Tennessee (UT) earned a six-figure fine for fans storming the field after a win over Alabama, fans may be wondering … why?
The Vols earned a $100,000 fine from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) after the fans rushed the field on Saturday. According to our Knoxville sister station WATE, this is the second time that Tennessee has been fined under the SEC’s “access to competition area” policy.
The policy was implemented in 2004 with financial penalties increased further in 2015.
The policy states:
In all sports, institutions shall limit access to the competition area 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. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.
Institutional penalties against individuals who improperly enter the competition area must include, but are not-limited to, expulsion from the facility, arrest for trespassing, and the loss of future ticket privileges. In addition to these penalties, violators who are students must be subject to institutional student disciplinary measures.
Each institution shall publicize this policy, as well as the penalties associated with violations, through appropriate means, such as ticket back statements, public address announcements, video/matrix announcements, facility signage, and other means available. In addition, each head coach shall publicly discourage spectators from entering the playing area at any time.
2020 Commissioners Regulations
The policy says a $50,000 fine is levied for the first offense, $100,000 for the second, and $250,000 for the third offense and those after.
Very few schools have incurred a full $250,000 fine from the SEC. The most recent fine that large came last year when Kentucky violated the access to competition area policy after a 20-13 victory over Florida.
A 2021 SEC report stated just four schools in the conference haven’t been fined for fans storming the field. Those schools are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi State.
The money from Tennessee’s $100,000 fine will be deposited into the SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund.
FAQs
The policy was implemented in 2004 with financial penalties increased further in 2015. The policy states: In all sports, institutions shall limit access to the competition area to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel, and properly-credentialed or authorized individuals at all times.
Why is there a fine for storming the field? ›
New security policies have also been implemented by the SEC so schools can better control rowdy athletic event crowds. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has unveiled new court- and field-storming policies, which double fines for home teams when fans rush the playing surface after games.
Are you allowed to storm the field in college football? ›
Potential Penalties
Since 2004, the SEC has implemented a rule against storming the field or the court. A school is fined $50,000 for its first offense, $100,000 for a second offense, and $250,000 for each subsequent offense. SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund is the recipient of the fine money.
Does the Pac 12 fine schools for rushing the field? ›
3 Kansas. Pac-12: Fines are: $10,000 for a first penalty, $25,000 for a second, $50,000 for a third and $100,000 for a fourth. When court rushing occurs within 60 seconds of the end of a game, reprimands and/or fines may apply.
Why do college football fans storm the field? ›
A pitch invasion, also known as field storming or rushing the field/rushing the court, occurs when a person or a crowd of people spectating a sporting event run onto the competition area, usually to celebrate or protest an incident, or sometimes as a publicity stunt.
Do schools get fined when fans rush the field? ›
— The SEC is increasing fines for fans storming the football field or basketball court and enacting new policies to keep visiting teams safe. The SEC's presidents approved a plan Thursday that will fine schools $100,000 for their first offense, $250,000 for a second offense and $500,000 for a third offense.
Has Alabama fans ever stormed the field? ›
Alabama football has been the subject of seven field rushes that resulted in fines, more than any other program in the league. Every team that has beaten Alabama in its home stadium since 2010 has seen its fans storm the field at the final gun. LSU football sat just behind the Tide, as the subject of six field rushes.
How much does it cost to replace goalposts? ›
Goalposts cost between $10,000 and $20,000 each, excluding installation costs.
How much does it cost when fans storm field college football? ›
The SEC's policy also states that the first offense will cost $100,000, the second offense $250,000, and the third offense $500,000.
Did Colorado get fined for storming the field? ›
According to the university's communications director, the Pac-12 Conference handed CU a $10,000 fine for rushing the field after the Nebraska game, as well as a warning that fines will increases every time the field is rushed. “It's not just about the money.
Rushing the field is also a violation of the university and Pac-12 regulations. According to CU's director of communications, the Pac-12 already gave CU a warning after the Nebraska game. CU was fined $10,000, which increases every time the field is rushed.
Is storming the field allowed? ›
Among the major conferences, the Big Ten and the Atlantic Coast conferences have no policies against court or field storming. The Big 12 and the Southeastern Conference both punish universities when fans rush the court or field with an escalating fine system.
What is the name of the college football stadium that holds the most fans? ›
Michigan Stadium is the largest American football stadium by seating capacity.
How much did Ole Miss get fined? ›
OXFORD, Miss. (WJTV) – The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced Ole Miss will be fined after fans stormed the field following the football team's victory over Louisiana State University (LSU) on Saturday, September 30.
What is the most fans ever at a college football game? ›
The 2016 matchup between Tennessee and Virginia Tech currently holds the overall record for single-game attendance at 156,990 fans, but that game was played in Bristol (TN) inside of a Nascar venue.
Do you go to jail for storming the field? ›
Arrest for Trespass. Jumping onto the field is almost always considered trespassing, which will lead to immediate arrest, removal from the premises, and a ride to the hoosegow. 2. Lifetime ban from the field and team.
What is the fine for storming field in NFL? ›
The SEC plans to increase fines for fans rushing the field or court following a game according to new guidelines announced Thursday. The first offense will cost the home school $100,000, the second $250,000 and $500,000 for subsequent violations.
Does the Big Ten fine for storming the field? ›
Among the major conferences, the Big Ten and the Atlantic Coast conferences have no policies against court or field storming. The Big 12 and the Southeastern Conference both punish universities when fans rush the court or field with an escalating fine system.
How much was Ole Miss fined for storming the field? ›
OXFORD, Miss.
