Kentucky fined for fans’ post game celebration

Kentucky Wildcats fans take pictures on the field after the game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 28 to 7. Photo by Jordan Prather | Staff

Kernel Sports Staff

Kentucky fans had a good time storming the field after the Wildcats’ victory over Mississippi State on Saturday, but it has cost the school more than it was probably worth.

On Tuesday afternoon, the SEC announced that Kentucky has been fined $100,000 for fans’ storming the field after Saturday’s game. It is the school’s second fine since a policy prohibiting fan access to competition areas was adopted in 2014.

“These rules are in place for a good reason: to ensure the safety of players, coaches and fans alike,” UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement.  “We are committed to these rules and to doing everything in our power to follow them and avoid future penalties. We ask our fans to remain in the stands to celebrate the victories our team is working to earn the rest of this season and beyond.”

The other incident for Kentucky was in 2014 when fans rushed the field after the Wildcats beat South Carolina, beginning the four-game win streak the Cats currently have over the Gamecocks.

If fans were to rush the field again at Kroger Field, Kentucky would be fined $250,000.

“The Conference has unanimously approved a policy requiring fines be applied when spectators enter the playing field after a game,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a press release. “Fans are expected to remain in the stands and avoid the safety concerns associated with rushing on to the playing field. We want exciting experiences around SEC games, but also seek to maintain a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, spectators and officials.”

The money from the fine will be used for the SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund.