SEC fines Tennessee $100,000 for rushing the field after win over Alabama

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has fined the University of Tennessee for violating its access to competition area policy after Volunteer fans poured onto the field to celebrate the win over the University of Alabama .

Fans poured onto Shields-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19 and tore down the goal posts in the wake of the 24-17 victory over the Crimson Tide. Unlike the 2022 celebrations , law enforcement and event security prevented the goal posts from leaving the stadium.

While Tennessee was fined $100,000 when fans rushed the field after beating Alabama in 2022 , this penalty is the school’s first violation since the policy was revised last year. It was first adopted in 2004, with members voting to increase the penalties in 2015 and 2023.

Tennessee was fined $100,000 for its first violation of the policy that was revised at the 2023 SEC Spring Meetings. Under the new rules, Alabama will receive the $100,000.

The fine would grow to $250,000 for a second violation and $500,000 for a third. Penalties are imposed for violations in all conference-sponsored sports.

Vanderbilt University was fined $100,000 for violating the policy following their own win over Alabama earlier this month while the University of Arkansas paid Tennessee $250,000 for their second violation of the policy after the Razorbacks beat the Vols for their first home win over a top-5 opponent since 1999.

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