SEC Fines Vandy $100,000 For Storming Court

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (SEC) — The Southeastern Conference announced today that Vanderbilt University will be fined for a violation of the league’s access to competition area policy, due to fans entering the court following its men’s basketball game against the University of Kentucky on February 27.

Vanderbilt will incur a fine of $100,000 for a second offense under the league’s access to competition area policy that went into effect on December 1, 2004.  Vanderbilt was last fined for a violation following its men’s basketball games against Florida in 2007.

“The Conference has unanimously approved a policy requiring fines be applied when spectators enter the playing court after a game,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “While understanding the enthusiasm following an exciting victory, fans need to remain in the stands and avoid the safety concerns associated with rushing on to the playing floor. We want to have exciting experiences around SEC games, but also want to maintain a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, spectators and officials.”

The policy states that “access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all times.  For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area.  It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.”

Financial penalties, which were increased by action taken during the 2015 SEC Spring Meetings, are imposed for violations in all sports sponsored by the Conference.  Institutional penalties range from $50,000 for a first offense to fines of up to $100,000 for a second offense and up to $250,000 for a third and subsequent offenses.