Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter is taking strong action following Wednesday’s surprising victory over No. 4 Tennessee in men’s basketball.
Carter released a statement on Friday, ahead of the regular-season finale against Florida, addressing the issue of court-storming. He reminded fans that while the excitement surrounding the win is positive, the actions of some individuals who rushed the court prematurely have resulted in a $500,000 fine for the program.
“While Wednesday’s moment was special, it was overshadowed by the inappropriate behavior of a few fans who rushed the court before the Tennessee team and officials had left, and before the crowd was invited down. These thoughtless actions have consequences and will cost our coaches and student-athletes valuable resources,” Carter said in the statement.
The fine brings the department’s total to $850,000 for the season, with SEC regulations requiring the fine to be paid to the opposing school. With the possibility of future fines at a similar level, Carter emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent such behavior from continuing.
Carter also mentioned that, based on video footage, those involved in rushing the court could face consequences, including the potential removal of their ticket privileges for future events.
“Entering the playing surface without permission is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Penalties will be more severe going forward, including detaining individuals on the court or field and revoking their game privileges on-site,” Carter stated. “We are also exploring additional measures to hold those who break the rules accountable. Simply put, this behavior must end.”
Although the Rebels won’t return to the SJB Pavilion in 2025, the message extends to future sporting events, including the upcoming football season at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“We ask our fans to help us avoid future fines by following the rules and holding each other accountable,” Carter added. “We remain committed to providing a top-tier gameday experience, but we can no longer afford to lose resources due to fines.”
The Rebels will begin their SEC Tournament journey next week in Nashville, hoping for a conference title in Year 2 under head coach Chris Beard. The game against the No. 5 Gators is set for a 5 p.m. CT tip-off on Saturday.
Leave a Reply