Colleges

USF warns fans: Stay off field

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published September 28, 2006

TAMPA - USF has a warning for any potential celebrants if the Bulls beat Rutgers, ranked 23rd, Friday night.

"No one is allowed on the field. Period," associate athletic director Tom Veit said Wednesday. "If someone comes across onto the field, they will be arrested."

Last year, several fans rushed the field at Raymond James Stadium after the biggest upset in USF's history, a win over No. 9 Louisville. Fans were tackled by law enforcement officials and some were Tasered.

USF will distribute flyers and make numerous announcements on the Jumbotron during Friday night's game to avoid a repeat, Veit said.

Mickey Farrell, director of operations for the Tampa Sports Authority, said there was a misunderstanding during the Louisville game, and many believed it would be all right to rush the field. Farrell also said there will be "ample" security Friday not only in the student section, where the tunnel to the visiting team's locker room is, but all over the stadium.

Farrell said that during the offseason TSA spent about $15,000 to install collapsible goal posts, which are brought down immediately after games.

"We're not trying to be the killjoy here," Veit said. "Our reasoning here is that we have to be careful. I don't want to be sitting here and hearing about how three people got injured after the game. I will take the heat on people saying I'm taking away a little bit of the fun, (rather) than have to hear about how some people got crushed."

- MIKE CAMUNAS, Times correspondent

[Last modified September 28, 2006, 05:47:45]