College Basketball Leaders Call for Court-Storming Regulations Amid Safety Concerns
In recent years, court storming has become a controversial topic in college basketball. The act of fans rushing onto the court after a big win has been a long-standing tradition, but concerns about safety and potential legal issues have prompted calls for regulations. College basketball leaders, including Jon Scheyer and Bill Self, are now advocating for a ban on court storming to ensure the safety of athletes and students.
The conversation surrounding court storming reached new heights after Duke star Kyle Filipowski was bumped by Wake Forest fans following their victory over the Blue Devils. This incident came just weeks after a fan ran into women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark after Iowa’s upset loss. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of players and the potential legal consequences for both athletes and fans.
During an ACC media teleconference call, Jon Scheyer, a former Duke player and current assistant coach, called for an immediate ban on court storming in the ACC. He emphasized the need to address the issue promptly and not wait until the offseason. Scheyer mentioned that Filipowski escaped major injury but was still sore from the incident. He stressed that only players, coaches, and officials should be on the court.
Bill Self, the head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, has also witnessed the dangers of court storming firsthand. He recounted an incident in 2012 when a referee suffered a broken arm during a court storm after an upset over his team. Self believes that court storming does not have a positive impact on the game and that the potential risks outweigh any excitement it may bring. He expressed concerns about potential lawsuits if a player accidentally injures someone during a court storm.
The issue of court storming has gained attention from various conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big East, Big South, Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA, Mid-Eastern Athletic, Pac-12, WAC, Southeastern, and West Coast. These conferences have indicated that the home school could face fines under certain circumstances. However, the ACC does not currently issue fines for court storming and does not intend to fine Wake Forest for the recent incident.
Penny Hardaway, the head coach of the Memphis Tigers, acknowledged that court storming used to be a fun moment for fans to celebrate an upset victory. However, he believes that it has become increasingly violent and poses risks to both fans and players. Hardaway suggested that teams should be allowed to exit the court before fans storm it and that handshake lines should be eliminated.
The coaches’ concerns have prompted action from conference commissioners. Brett Yormark, the Big 12’s commissioner, stated that he and other major commissioners plan to address court storming in the near future. They recognize that it is not just a conference issue but an industry-wide problem that needs collective attention.
Some individuals have gone even further in proposing solutions. Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne suggested that teams should forfeit games in scenarios like the Duke-Wake Forest incident to deter court storming. He believes that such consequences would discourage fans from rushing onto the court.
The issue of court storming in college basketball is a complex one. While it has been a long-standing tradition, concerns about safety and potential legal ramifications cannot be ignored. College basketball leaders are now calling for regulations to ensure the well-being of athletes and students. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how the sport will address this contentious issue.