Injuries Spark Debate Over College Basketball Court Storming
College basketball court storming has become a topic of debate after a series of recent injuries. The issue was brought to the forefront when Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark collided with an unidentified woman during an Ohio State victory celebration. More recently, Duke’s Kyle Filipowski was injured when a wave of Wake Forest fans rushed their home court after the Demon Deacons’ defeat of the No. 8 Blue Devils. These incidents have raised questions about the safety of court storming and whether it should be allowed.
The Dangers of Court Storming
Duke coach Jon Scheyer and Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes both called for court storming to be banned following Filipowski’s injury. Scheyer expressed concern about players getting hurt in these situations, stating, “How many times does a player have to get into something, where they get punched, or they get pushed, or they get taunted right in their face? It’s a dangerous thing.” The incidents involving Clark and Filipowski highlight the potential risks involved in court storming.
The Frequency of Court Storming
According to an ESPN review, there have been approximately three court storms per week over the past three months in college basketball. While court storming has been a long-standing tradition in the sport, the modern version often involves fans spilling onto the court and sharing videos of the celebrations on social media. This has led to increased visibility and scrutiny of these events.
Preventing Court Storming
Controlling large crowds of ecstatic fans is a challenging task. Stacey Hall, executive director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, suggests preventive measures such as discontinuing alcohol sales, planning alternative celebrations for the winning team, or having fans stay at their seats after the game. However, completely blocking fans from the court is not considered feasible due to logistical and economic reasons.
The NCAA’s Position
NCAA president Charlie Baker acknowledges the risks involved in court storming and believes that the decision to ban it should be made at the conference level. The NCAA expects host schools to have security plans in place for championships held on campuses. However, the association does not have a written best practices document specifically addressing court storming.
Conference Policies and Practices
Conferences have varying policies and practices regarding court storming. While some conferences have precise penalties for schools whose fans storm the court, others have more general language regarding disciplinary measures. The emphasis is often on ensuring the safe exit of visiting teams and game officials before crowds reach the floor.
The Debate Continues
The debate over court storming remains ongoing. Some coaches, fans, and administrators argue that it is an exciting tradition that adds to the atmosphere of college basketball games. Others, including ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, believe that it poses unnecessary risks and should be discouraged. The recent injuries have prompted calls for increased safety measures and a reevaluation of court storming protocols.
Conclusion
The issue of court storming in college basketball has gained renewed attention due to recent injuries. While court storming has long been a part of the sport’s tradition, concerns about player safety have sparked a debate about whether it should be allowed. As the discussion continues, conferences and schools will need to consider how to balance the excitement of court storming with the need to protect players, coaches, officials, and fans from potential harm.
