Kentucky hit with big fine for fans rushing field after win vs. Mississippi State

The Kentucky Wildcats are riding high after their 4-0 start, but their most recent win came at a cost, at least in terms of the celebration.

The SEC announced today that UK will be fined for a violation of the league’s access to competition area policy, due to fans entering the field following its win over the Mississippi St. Bulldogs this past weekend.

The school has been hit with a fine of $100,000 for its second offense under the SEC’s current policy prohibiting fan access to the competition area. Kentucky was last fined following its win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2014.

Fines levied against schools for violation of the access to competition area policy are deposited into the SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund.

“The Conference has unanimously approved a policy requiring fines be applied when spectators enter the playing field after a game,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey 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 policy states the following:

Access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.

Money well spent?