7 October 2024
Vanderbilt and Arkansas were fined Monday for fans storming the field after upset wins last weekend, but the Gophers will not be docked for supporters flooding Huntington Bank Stadium after a dramatic 24-17 victory over No. 11 Southern California on Saturday.
A Big Ten Conference spokesman told the Pioneer Press that Minnesota will not be subject to a fine, but shared a statement about the need for safety for people at games:
“The safety and security of student-athletes, coaches and staff is of upmost importance. The Big Ten requires host institutions to provide adequate security for visiting teams from their arrival for a game through their departure. If adequate security is not provided, there is a process in place that begins with a private reprimand for the first offense, public reprimand for second offense, and the discretion to implement a fine plus additional penalties for a third offense. We routinely review our policy as needed to ensure a safe environment for everyone.”
It appears the Gophers’ field storming is being treated as a first offense under a newer policy. Fans previously gathered on the Gophers’ field after its last Top 20 win over No. 18 Wisconsin in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 2021.
The Southeastern Conference has fined Arkansas $250,000 after its 19-14 win over then-No. 4 Tennessee because it is a second offense. Future offenses will cost the school $500,000. It was Arkansas’ first home win over a top-five opponent since beating No. 3 Tennessee in 1999.
Vanderbilt, a first-time offender, was fined $100,000 by the SEC after its 40-35 win over then-No. 1 Alabama. It was the school’s first-ever win over a No. 1 team. Fans tore down a goalpost and dumped it in the Cumberland River, which is 2 1/2 miles from the stadium.
Both instances violated the league’s access to competition area policy, which states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times.”
Those SEC fines are paid to the opposing school.
In February, ESPN reported that 11 conferences have penalties for home schools when fans storm onto basketball courts, including fines in certain circumstances. Some, the outlet said, have general language regarding discipline and applicability. That ESPN story was done after Iowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark collided with a woman during a court storm at Ohio State in January.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Related Articles
Matthew Wilkinson never qualified for the state track meet. Now the former Gophers distance runner is an Olympian.