It’s a sight that has become synonymous with a monumental victory in the world of college football: The stands emptying as fans pour onto the field to celebrate with the team.
But as jubilant and uniting as some feel “storming the field” can be, the powers-that-be in the NCAA have long tried to stem the desire in fans to rush the playing surface.
Now the Southeastern Conference says they are deciding on whether steeper punishments will be levied at teams whose fans engage in the practice, including possibly taking away a future home game.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is apparently mulling over a number of ideas that could be implemented as deterrents to fans rushing the field, according to Sports Illustrated.
LSU fans violated the rule twice during the 2022 season, after home defeats of Ole Miss and Alabama. Tennessee fans also stormed the field after their own defeat of the Crimson Tide, tearing down a goal post in the process.
The forfeiture of even one home game could be devastating to the businesses near the stadium that rely on a strong gameday turnout.
“Everything that's around here counts on these home games. When you take that away you're hurting the people that aren't responsible for storming the field,” Pastime Restaurant owner Randy Wesley told WBRZ.
Suggestions for the revisions to the safety policy are expected to be pitched at the SEC’s spring meetings in May. Any changes could go into effect in time for the 2023-24 football season.
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