Florida AD Raises Safety Concerns: Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley has criticized Tennessee for failing to exercise proper security measures to protect the Gators’ players following the team’s loss in Knoxville. A near-record crowd of more than 24,000 joyous fans poured onto the court following the Volunteers’ 80-76 win against No. 2 Florida, the first loss of the season for the Gators. Foley said the lack of restraint by Tennessee endangered players and violated an SEC rule that states students cannot come on to a court before, during or after a game.
Update: SEC officials handed out a $5,000 fine to Tennessee for failing to keep the fans off the court. The fine matches the conference’s standard for first-time violators of the rule that prohibits the crowd from coming onto the court before, during or after a game. The second offense would cost the school a $25,000.
[1/24/06]
