| NEWS SEC Mulling Drastic Punishments for Storming the Field- SI

[Bama News]

https://www.si.com/college/2023/04/24/sec-storming-the-field-punishments

Picture this potential scenario in the Southeastern Conference this fall: On Sept. 30 in Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn takes down undefeated, No. 1–ranked, two-time reigning national champion Georgia. Tigers fans celebrate their first victory over the rival Bulldogs since 2017 by storming the field.

And in response, the SEC moves Auburn’s next home game against Georgia, in 2025, to Athens. The Tigers would play the Bulldogs between the hedges three straight seasons, 2024 to ’26. That would be the price for storming the field.

Sound like a draconian penalty for something that has been part of the fabric of college sports for decades? Well, it’s on the table as a possible sanction as the SEC searches for a stronger deterrent to field storming than six-figure fines.

A conference working group on event safety was appointed by commissioner Greg Sankey last November—less than three weeks after Tennessee fans tore down the goalposts following a victory over Alabama and just a day before LSU fans flooded the Tiger Stadium field to revel in an upset of the Crimson Tide. The working group, headed by Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, Georgia AD Josh Brooks and Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart, has been gathering input and weighing options for several months.

Proposals for a new policy to deal with fans rushing the field or court are expected to be presented to the league’s full roster of athletic directors soon for discussion. From there, options for a revamped policy are likely to be advanced to the conference’s presidents and chancellors at SEC spring meetings May 30 to June 2 in Destin, Fla. Approved changes could be implemented for the 2023–24 athletic year.

The premise of losing a future SEC home game is just one of the policy changes that has been discussed by the working group. An even more drastic one—forfeiture of the game in which the field storm occurred—is unlikely to gain much traction. But there is general agreement that something more needs to be done beyond hitting schools in their fat wallets.

 

[UAgrad93]

The simple fine form of punishment isn’t working, so why not really hit them where it hurts? A typical football weekend is worth around a couple million to the entire city. Throw in a big school opponent and it likely comes close to doubling!!!

 

[24and7]

How about an automatic loss…They make millions on all aspects of the game…They don’t care about fines…

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

It would definitely need to be losing a home game the next year against a big name opponent. If you assume it would be the next home game against the same opponent, SEC scheduling could be stupid enough that they won't have that game for 5-6 years.

 

[BamaFan334]

It would definitely need to be losing a home game the next year against a big name opponent. If you assume it would be the next home game against the same opponent, SEC scheduling could be stupid enough that they won't have that game for 5-6 years.

The seniors wouldn't care and would rush without any consequences. To me that's like finding out Reggie Bush took money and houses and USC and its players get punished ten years later when they were still in elementary school at the time of the acts.

 

[Rsedge72]

Oh if it costs schools a home sec game, the schools will start enforcing the no trespass rules and they’ll start cuffing a few of them. They’ll also put forth a more concerted effort to keep them off the field in the first place. I say tase ‘em all!!!!!!!

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

The seniors wouldn't care and would rush without any consequences. To me that's like finding out Reggie Bush took money and houses and USC and its players get punished ten years later when they were still in elementary school at the time of the acts.

That's where the schools would have to figure it out on punishing the students.

In the end, some schools do that kind of thing and I am not sure you can ever stop it.

 

[SnakeDoc]

I like it, because it's more likely to work, but the best solution is unfeasible: Arrest everyone who rushes the field for trespassing.

 

[doemasters]

I said last year they should take away the next home game against that opponent

example would be Tennessee would be playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa the next three years

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Just like most everything else in society, the punishment needs to be an actual deterrent or it won't work... Fining schools fractional amounts of money and then watching them use it as a fundraiser tool is laughable. Losing home games, losing out on shared postseason revenue, and having to pay massive fines to the opposing school would all be steps in the right direction.

 

[24and7]

The NCAA must make the FANS scared to storm fields…If a team forfeits the game, they can point the finger at their own fans …. for those calling for trespass arrest, you Cant arrest a riot if you tried…These new Gen Zers love to get arrested and cause disturbances/riots …
Let some of these fans feel the sting of sitting out of the championship game, the playoffs and a national title game….that would definitely show them…

 

[bamafan9201]

I like it, because it's more likely to work, but the best solution is unfeasible: Arrest everyone who rushes the field for trespassing.

It'd be like 4 sticks trying to hold back a flood. Watch the youtube videos of kids bum rushing concerts with like 200 of them running through the gates. Security can only do so much. I'd say instead of causing panic/unrest let it all happen and then punish the school. You had your one fun moment, now you lose your next home game against this team. If it's a rotating team then they'd have to get creative with it but it would be a better deterrent than the current slap on the wrist.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

As bama fans....we certainly dont have to worry about it...never have seen bama fans rush field...may have done it...but i havent seen it... who would we do it vs...Maybe when we beat ND for first time..????????
Have seen it vs bama alot!!!!!

The losing home game is an awful lot of punishment......for many....
Would students care? Is it just students? Takes a big crowd to make a significant statement...

So...maybe ...instead of losing home game...just take student seating away for next game vs that team...... put punishment where it needs to be,...( if thats where it needs to be)

 

[UAgrad93]

The NCAA must make the FANS scared to storm fields…If a team forfeits the game, they can point the finger at their own fans …. for those calling for trespass arrest, you Cant arrest a riot if you tried…These new Gen Zers love to get arrested and cause disturbances/riots …
Let some of these fans feel the sting of sitting out of the championship game, the playoffs and a national title game….that would definitely show them…

I don’t know! Back in ‘90 at Legion Field, BAMA beat the Barn to end the losing streak and several students tried to “rush the field” even though Simpson Pepper had made several announcements the entire 4th quarter stating to stay off the field. Those students were met by some of B’ham’s finest men in blue and were immediately introduced to the Legion Field turf!!!
As Brandon said, “make it hurt where it counts!” Lose a home game (loss of $3.5-5 million for the city), lose some revenue sharing, and a stiff fine! That will put an end to that shit!!

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

I said last year they should take away the next home game against that opponent

example would be Tennessee would be playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa the next three years

Still only works well when you play every year. We know sometimes SEC scheduling is crap and teams may not play for 6 years.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

The NCAA must make the FANS scared to storm fields

Clemson storms it after every home win. I doubt the NCAA does anything. You would need the states to pass laws on it to really stop it.

 

[doemasters]

I would also add that fans could go onto the field after the other team has left the field and the university had a signal saying it was ok

 

[Rolltide24]

I don’t know! Back in ‘90 at Legion Field, BAMA beat the Barn to end the losing streak and several students tried to “rush the field” even though Simpson Pepper had made several announcements the entire 4th quarter stating to stay off the field. Those students were met by some of B’ham’s finest men in blue and were immediately introduced to the Legion Field turf!!!
As Brandon said, “make it hurt where it counts!” Lose a home game (loss of $3.5-5 million for the city), lose some revenue sharing, and a stiff fine! That will put an end to that shit!!

93, did you body slam any of them when the made it to the field?

 

[UAgrad93]

93, did you body slam any of them when the made it to the field?

Ha ha!! I didn’t get to dress, but was in the stands with my Dad. We were pointing those unfortunate souls out that attempted to get out there! I had the opportunity to play at Legion Field in HS when Jefferson County used to hold the Dental Clinic Classic. Let me tell you, that turf felt like asphalt that had been simply painted green and then striped with white paint!!!

 

[rick4bama]

The simple fine form of punishment isn’t working, so why not really hit them where it hurts? A typical football weekend is worth around a couple million to the entire city. Throw in a big school opponent and it likely comes close to doubling!!!

The reason why it isn't working! It is not coming out of their pocket!