Following the Florida game, the SEC handed Vanderbilt the maximum fine of $25,000, saying the incident violated the league's access to competition area policy which was enacted in December 2004.

The SEC's policy states:
"For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy."

First-time violations of the policy can cost a school $5,000. Second offenses can draw fines up to $25,000, and each subsequent violation can cost $50,000. Saturday was Vanderbilt's second offense. Previously, the school drew a $5,000 penalty when fans stormed the court after an NIT win against Wichita State in 2005.

Vanderbilt has drawn criticism in the aftermath of its most recent incident. In an article in the Orlando Sentinel, a columnist questions Vanderbilt's commitment to curb its fans' on-court celebrations while also lauding Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley's proactive stance on restricting the school's football and basketball fans from storming the field and court. In making his point, the writer also references Joe Kay, the former Arizona high school basketball player, who three years ago was knocked to the floor and paralyzed after his team's fans stormed their home court to celebrate a victory.

In this article from The Technician, North Carolina State's student newspaper, a recent court-storming incident following the Wolfpack's upset of the University of North Carolina, is described as being handled well thanks to careful planning by the host venue. Larry Perkins, assistant general manager for the RBC Center (where the game was held) says planning was the key to containing the celebration. Perkins says those preparations include analyzing how much alcohol has been consumed by audience members, ensuring radio communications, ample police presence and taking precautions to protect the visiting team.

Over the past few years fans storming fields and courts has been a hot-button issue among high school and college athletic directors. Over this time, Athletic Management and its sister publication, Coaching Management, have highlighted new solutions for keeping overenthusiastic fans, at both the high school and college levels, from becoming dangerous.

Athletic Management will again tackle this controversial subject in the upcoming April/May issue, when Dr. Richard Borkowski, our risk management expert, will share tips for controlling raucous crowds.

Links
PalmBeachSports.com, Vandy is Fined $25,000
Orlando Sentinel, Allowing fans to rush court or field is terrible
Stanford Magazine, Boy, Interrupted
The Technician, Court storming no problem for RBC staff
Athletic Management, Cheer Pressure
Coaching Management, No-Nonsense Crowd Control


R.J. Anderson is an Assistant Editor at Athletic Management. He can be reached at: rja@MomentumMedia.com.