Last Tuesday Wyoming students attending the men’s basketball team’s upset of San Diego State took part in one of college basketball’s most time-honored traditions: storming the court.
For those of you unfamiliar with the practice (i.e. those of you that live under a rock), storming the court is when fans—mostly students—at a college basketball game run out onto the court after their team earns a big win.
It is easy to imagine the chaos and excitement that accompany rushing the floor, and this is exactly why the act is under fire from some of college basketball’s biggest names.
Last season Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski told the media that he did not want fans running onto the floor because of the chance that they could cause him or one of his players injury. Krzyzewski also expressed concerns that putting the fans that close to an opposing team could lead to conflict.
He was not alone in his sentiment. Coaches and media types alike have outlined the danger involved for players, coaches and fans.
But here is the thing: no one is getting hurt. Last year North Carolina State fan Will Privette rolled out onto the floor and was just fine.
In fact, it might end up being one his favorite memories of all time.
Concerns about conflict between fan and athlete make sense, but that type of exchange hardly needs to be facilitated by fans rushing the floor.
Just last week, Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart got into an altercation with a Texas Tech fan that was still in their seat.
Conflicts such as Smart’s will always happen, and working to further separate fan and athlete only hurts the sport and punishes a fan base that largely is not at fault.
Long before I attained a media badge and a cushy seat on press row, I ran out onto the floor with hundreds of fellow Wyoming fans after the Pokes beat the then no. 19 Colorado Buffs, and it was easily one of the more exciting things I have done as a college student.
Just ask anyone that was on that floor last Tuesday about the experience. Ask them how they felt about their team and their school.
My guess is they felt pretty great.
This is where we see the intrinsic value in storming the court. It rewards the fan for their loyalty at the end of a victory and to feel like they are a part of something bigger. It allows the fan to make a memory.
And isn’t that what sports are all about?
If the NCAA knows what’s good for it, they will ensure that storming the court continues on, uninhibited by regulation, for as long as there is college basketball.
