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Carolina can take the lead in court-storming.
Apparently, the ACC is the only Power 6 conference that has not set a policy for court-storming to celebrate big wins at home. So, it must be in the hands of each member institution to do so.
UNC has a great opportunity to make a plan that will not only solve the potential problem after big home wins over Duke or any other opponent that excites the crowd in that manner, perhaps after every home game.
The strategy at Carolina could be anything the athletic department agrees on and is willing to promote so nothing has to be enforced. And if the university and athletic department have marketing savvy, it could be something that not only deters the dangerous rushing of the playing floor but also sets a standard that other schools might follow.
For example, an alum and long-time Tar Heel fan suggests that as the game ends, a 30-second clock goes up on the big scoreboards to give both teams enough time to leave the floor safely and get to their locker rooms.
If such a plan, or another one, is agreed upon, UNC would release a statement and have Hubert Davis record a message shared through the school’s social media and run PSAs before the game on the video boards and over the Tar Heel Sports Network. At halftime, there would be a reminder to wait 30 seconds.
The “Carolina crowd clock” could catch on for other programs to follow or come up with their own plan. If every school in the ACC bought in, how cool it would look for the conference to be supportive in a safe and creative way.
The key is having the students and fans at the game comply and be proud that UNC will allow them to celebrate after a game without risking injury to the players on either team. And Carolina could go a step further.
After beating Duke or State or after any home victory, Smith Center students and fans are INVITED to celebrate the victory on the court when the 30-second clock expires, and it even could become an ad hoc dance party with popular songs blaring over the PA system after the pep band plays Hark The Sound.
Like Duke became known for the Cameron Crazies, the Tar Heels would have something of their own to set an example for schools in the ACC and around the country, more positive than other student bodies trying to copy the Crazies who got famous during the Blue Devils’ raucous 1980 heydays.
UNC has a chance to turn a problem into a well-marketed solution that is safe and fun for everyone who wants to participate. Properly promoted, it would make Carolina famous for good sportsmanship as well as good basketball.
Featured image via Todd Melet
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Suits me. Good plan. Just get the players off the court.