Tennessee bans multiple students, fans from athletic events in wake of Ole Miss debacle

The University of Tennessee barred multiple students and fans from Volunteers athletic events through the spring on Thursday. The punishment was handed out in the wake of the trash-throwing incident, which took place during the Tennessee-Ole Miss game earlier this month.

Tennessee took action against 16 current students, along with nine fans who aren’t students, per the Knoxville News. They are not allowed to attend any Tennessee athletic events through the spring sports season.

The school promised the SEC that it is taking the necessary steps to prevent disruptions at future games. Trash was thrown onto the field, primarily from the student section, some of which was aimed at the Ole Miss sideline. Former Volunteers head coach Lane Kiffin, who made his return to Neyland Stadium as the Ole Miss head coach, seemed to be hit with a golf ball in the tirade, which was caught on the ESPN broadcast.

This all came in a letter sent to the SEC by Tennessee athletic director Danny White, who highlighted how the Volunteers are making sure they “effectively aid in the prevention of future incidents.” The SEC took swift action, fining the school $250,000, among other punishments.

The Tennessee athletic director outlined changes that will be implemented at the next Tennessee game at Neyland Stadium, which is slated for Nov. 13 against Georgia.

These are the changes that will be implemented for the next Tennessee home game:

• Prohibit student guest tickets for the Nov. 13 game versus Georgia.
• Increase police and security staffers in the student section.
• Require students who request tickets to agree to the SEC and Tennessee fan codes of conduct.
• Remove bottle caps at certain vending booths.
• Add “enhanced” metal detectors.
• Add more signs and PA announcements warning against misconduct.
• If students throw trash at the Nov. 13 game, they will be barred from athletic events.

Tennessee penalizing other offenders

Prior to receiving punishments from the SEC, Tennessee was working to identify fans who threw trash.

Just days after the incident, its police department had made 18 arrests related to the incident.

In addition to UTPD’s arrests, 47 fans were ejected from the game. The Tennessee spokesperson added that students will not be permitted to attend future games, should they be linked to the trash throwing incident.

“We are trying to identify people who threw things onto the field last night in order to hold them accountable,” Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman said in a statement to Knox News. “Further, athletics is working with UTPD and the Division of Student Life to provide recommendations to me and (athletics director) Danny White related to preventing and deterring bad behavior in the stadium, particularly in our student section.”