ACC Fines UNC $50K for Court-Storming After Duke Victory
The University of North Carolina (UNC) has been fined $50,000 by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for a court-storming incident. The fine was announced following UNC’s recent victory over the Duke Blue Devils. The game ended with a score of 71-68, leading to student celebrations on the court.
Details of the Incident
After UNC’s triumphant win, fans flooded the Dean Smith Center court twice. This occurred first after a pivotal three-pointer from Seth Trimble, which was made with just 0.4 seconds left. Officials had to clear the area to complete the game. The second wave of fans burst onto the court after the game concluded.
ACC’s Rationale for Fine
The ACC has implemented fines related to court-storming in order to enhance safety protocols for athletes, coaches, officials, and fans. This decision comes after a similar incident at Wake Forest in February 2024, where Duke player Kyle Filipowski sustained injuries.
Response from UNC Officials
In response to the fine, UNC officials accepted the penalty but emphasized their adherence to safety protocols. They claimed to have ensured the safe exit of Duke’s players, staff, and officials from the court. UNC expressed their intention to review their safety measures moving forward and stated their focus on the remaining season.
Duke’s Coach Reacts
Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, voiced concerns regarding the safety of his team following the incident. He reported that staff members were physically assaulted during the chaos and described the situation as frightening. He criticized the scenario, emphasizing that this intense rivalry should not come with such safety concerns.
Fines and Future Implications
- The ACC enforces a tiered fine structure for court-storming offenses: $50,000, $100,000, and $200,000.
- Fines accumulate over two seasons for football and basketball infractions.
- Institutions must develop comprehensive plans to secure the safe exit of opposing teams and personnel from the court.
Funds collected from these fines support the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship Fund, which assists ACC student-athletes in pursuing graduate education.
