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Danger for fans on the field
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It is hard not to notice all of the people on the sidelines of a
football game. Obviously you would expect to see players, coaches,
trainers and people from the media. But who are all of those other
people on the sidelines?
Who are those people who roam the outskirts of the field without
a uniform, or even an apparent reason for being there? They are
fans who have received sideline passes (for one reason or another)
through the university athletic department.
Of course, the issue of fans on the sideline or fans on the
field after the game may not even be an issue. That is until this
year, when a Nebraska football player punched and subsequently
knocked out a Missouri Tiger fan after what was called an
“embarrassing defeat.” Incidents like that makes one
wonder who is more at risk by fan involvement after the conclusion
of a game: the players or the fans.
These incidents are also the reason why the NCAA creates rules
that govern the number of sideline passes available and the number
of security personnel required for each football game.
According to Herb Criner, associate athletic director of
operations, Boise State University supplies adequate security to
ensure both fans and players safety.
“We use about 45 security people for our games, [and]
about 70 peopleto surround the track as the clock runs down to the
end of game,” Criner said.
According to Coach Dan Hawkins, the NCAA allows the university
to provide 60 sideline passes. That number includes everyone who
isn’t a player or coach. However, while the NCAA sets the
number of sideline passes available, it is up to the conference and
university to enforce the rule.
It is also up to the university to keep fans off of the playing
field after the game has concluded. However, all too often we see
excited fans storm past security and on the field to celebrate with
their team. Seems harmless, right?
But in the case of the Missouri fan, the outcome wasn’t
so. Storming past security, only to get punched in the face by a
player from the opposing team was his ill fate. The hit flooded
national television airwaves.
“All it takes is one ugly thing to happen,” Hawkins
said.
As disturbing as that incident was, it did prompt other schools
to act responsibly. For example: Virginia Tech installed
“break away” goal posts to discourage fans from rushing
the field to tear them down. As the game clock winds down, security
officials lower the goal posts to the ground.
Storming the field is not limited to fans who want to celebrate.
Some schools, like Fresno State University, have rowdy fans that
have been know to throw things on the field. In fact, Hawaii head
coach June Jones has a framed screwdriver hanging on his office
wall that was thrown at him during a game at Fresno State.
“Fresno State fans are pretty brutal. They throw things at
you, and try and climb the fence to get at you,” said David
Mikell, running back for Boise State University.
According to Hawkins, he and his staff coach their players on
ignoring the fans at Fresno State and to keep their helmets on at
all times.
Todd Gabriel
Special to the Arbiter
