COLUMN: Mizzou doesn’t have to ban students from entering the field after football games

Football season at the University of Missouri is a huge cause for celebration in Columbia. It honors tradition throughout the entire season and promotes competition between schools that can pave a pathway for NFL careers. Fans dusted off their game day gear and crowd chants, and students were excited for the highly anticipated season to be back. However, the new regulation banning students from rushing the field has sparked discontent among students and other Tiger fans. 

On Aug. 26, UM System President Mun Choi sent out a newsletter on Outlook announcing the Southeastern Conference rules that ban students from rushing the field after football games. The newsletter stated, “Entering the field after a game is dangerous for players, coaches and spectators – and it’s also costly. If we rush the field, we will be fined $500,000 by the SEC, and that money goes directly to our opponent.” Choi clarified that there are plenty of other ways students can celebrate a win. Students were dissatisfied with the new ban because it upsets school tradition and spirit. Despite the new ban, some students planned to rush the field anyway.

The policy is supposed to create a safer environment for both students and athletes, while also saving the school from having to spend a large amount of money. Choi also noted there will be surveillance cameras throughout the stadium that would be able to identify any perpetrators whodisobey the rule. This new policy has been heavily reinforced by having violators face consequences of fines or even a possible school suspension, but it seems to be taken too far at some points.

In the recent matchup against Mizzou’s longtime rival, the University of Kansas, a large security  formed a line at the bottom of the student section, acting as a barrier between students and the football field. While this human barrier prevents students from crossing onto the field, it raises the question: Are there safer ways to ensure students can celebrate after a win that also allow them to celebrate with the team?

There are other ways to ensure that the students and players celebrate safely without causing the school to pay a large fine. A good alternative would be allowing students to rush the field after the opposing team has left. The new rules state, “The conference also has the authority to waive the fine if the visiting team and officials are allowed to get to the locker room before fans descend.” This would allow students to still celebrate safely with the team and keep school spirit alive. It also follows the SEC rules while keeping fans and students happy, as well as school officials. 

If student safety is still in question after this solution, Mizzou could make designated entry points around the field to allow the students to walk onto the field after celebrating in the stands. These entry points can also be easily monitored by one or two officials to ensure students’ safety. This spreads out security involvement, which can make students feel more comfortable in the stadium while maintaining game day safety. 

Another solution that could put the students’ minds at ease would be using physical barriers instead of security to separate the student section from the field. The number of security guards lining the field can be very intimidating to see, making students feel unsettled and tense. Using a temporary fence or padded barriers will still keep the students from rushing the field while allowing them to feel comfortable watching the game. 

As the season continues, the debate over how to balance school tradition, fan safety and financial responsibility is far from over. While Choi’s rules aim to protect students and athletes and avoid costly fines, many fans remain frustrated and unsettled at the changes to a long-standing tradition. With potential solutions like delayed field access, designated entry points or switching to physical barriers in front of the student section, the university has a chance to make a compromise to preserve the excitement of game day while ensuring safety and avoiding fines. 

 

Edited by Ash Merenbloom | [email protected]
Edited by Ellenna Forbes and Avery Copeland | [email protected]
Edited by Chase Pray | [email protected]