In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, LSU vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva encourages all fans to stay off the field following games after an estimated 20,000 fans stormed the field following the Tigers’ 10-7 upset of then-No. 3 Ole Miss on Saturday.
“I encourage everyone to celebrate great LSU victories within the seating areas of the stadium and not on the field,” Alleva said. “LSU represents the achievement of victory with dignity, and we do not want to sacrifice safety or sportsmanship.”
The LSU Athletic Department was fined $5,000 by the Southeastern Conference on Monday as a result of the field storm, to which Alleva told the school’s website he “hopes he has to pay again in two weeks” when the Tigers host Alabama on Nov. 8.
“We would never endorse the ‘storming of the field’ by our fans — it is a violation of the protocol established by the Southeastern Conference, and serious injuries have occurred at the venues of our member institutions. It is our sincere responsibility to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone, and we must adhere to the principles set forth by the SEC,” Alleva said.