Court Storming: Harmless Fun or Potentially Dangerous? - jmik58's Blog

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Court Storming: Harmless Fun or Potentially Dangerous? Stuck

Posted on March 1, 2013 at 02:28 PM.

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Exiting a basketball court with fans rushing the floor leaves players swimming upstream without a paddle.

Rushing the basketball court just isn't what it used to be. Such a response was once reserved for the rare occasion when a top-five team would get upset by an unranked squad. As time has passed, however; I've noticed a growing leniency for when fans rush the floor. Beating the 15th ranked opponent deserves a raucous cheer, but hardly worthy of a mid-court fiesta.

The apparent increase in frequency of fans crossing the hardwood also means more opportunity for something bad to happen. All it would take is one idiot to screw it up for everyone -- much the way things go in life.

The SEC has taken steps to fine its member schools (up to $50,000 for a third offense) if their fans rush the floor, but no other conference has taken the leap. That may all change, however; as an ESPN report has cited an ACC official who believes the conference may look into a similar ban in the near future.

Being the coach of a top-tier program, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is very familiar with the experience of trying to complete the formalities of a post-game handshake will dodging passionate fans as he and players flow against the stream of humanity in an attempt to exit the court.

When asked about his concern in such moments, Krzyzewski stated, "I'm not saying any fan did this, but the potential is there all the time for a fan to just go up to you and say, 'Coach, you're a [expletive],' or push you or hit you. And what do you do? What if you did something? That would be the story."

Love him or hate him, I've never had the feeling that Coach Krzyzewski is the type to steam after an upset loss (see last night's contest at Virginia). Therefore, I think he has a legitimate concern and the idea that he's part of a pro-active approach to stopping a problem before it starts is commendable.

However, in watching last night's contest, Virginia literally created a human wall of security personnel (see: ushers) to create a barrier along the baseline so that fans would not come in physical contact with the Duke players as they shook hands and left the court. Short of exiting immediately without shaking hands, this is one of the best strategies I've seen a school implement to protect the safety of a visiting team's players and staff.

We tend to live in a reactionary culture where we allow tragedy to strike before we make monumental changes. Often times, preventative measures are seen as unnecessary because "it's never happened before." But is this something that the SEC -- and possibly ACC in the near future -- is getting right?

Sound Off: What are your feelings about fans being allowed to storm the basketball court after an upset win?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Give him hell in the comments below or on Twitter: @long_snapper.

Comments

# 1 DGMikeBarker @ Mar 1

30+ years of fans storming the court and ZERO tragedies has occurred to are knowledge. I believe Coach K is just whining after their loss. Coaching Duke for many successful years has deprived him of seeing the thrill storming the court brings fans and winning players. If you don't like fans storming the court after upsets, Don't Get Upset!

# 2 Goblowsoup @ Mar 1

I've never been a fan of storming the court. I think as a fan of any sport, you should expect to win. Storming the court is acting like you're surprised you won. I'm sure my logic is stupid to some, but as an athlete, coach, or fan I've always expected to win and never believed in celebrating in that large or fashion. I'm all for the ban or some form of rule for excessive storming of the court.

# 3 scottyo60 @ Mar 1

If you beat a top 5 and are not ranked with little history go for it. If you're OSU beating Wisconsin or Michigan in football stay off the field. The big 10 storming the field and ACC storms g the court is overdone

# 4 fsufan4423 @ Mar 1

It was cool when it only happened with major upsets. Now it seems like every game someone is storming the court.

# 5 inkcil @ Mar 1

@DG...i guess it's just not a tragedy if it's not you or your team that get's hurt. Then again, to me a player hurting his acl from a fan jumping on his back is a tragedy...to others, not so much.

# 6 ggsimmonds @ Mar 2

Two things.
First, as some have alluded to, has there been any incidents where someone gets hurt in the past? I don't know of any, but it makes sense that if someone were to fall they could be in a lot of trouble.
Second, Storming the court happens way too frequently. If you are an ACC school, you should never be storming the court. Virginia (and my Terps) should never be rushing the court. Its embarrassing. It should be reserved for historical type upsets.