To ban or not to ban court storming. Such is the question facing schools, conferences and the NCAA this week.

Court storming has become a major topic of conversation in college basketball news this week. Concerns about court storming have come up over the course of this season. After two of college basketball’s biggest star players were hurt during separate court storming incidents. Duke Men’s Basketball player Kyle Filipowski suffered a knee injury last Saturday. After accidently colliding with a fan shortly after Duke’s upset loss at Wake Forest. Filipowski returned in time for Duke’s game against Louisville on Wednesday. He scored nine points, along with having ten rebounds and six assists in the game.

A few weeks earlier, Iowa Women’s Basketball star Caitlin Clark was accidently knocked down. During a court storming after Ohio State’s home win against Iowa. Fortunately, Clark was not seriously injured. In February, she went on to set the NCAA Division I Women’s all-time scoring record. Clark also surpassed Lynette Woodard’s AIAW major college scoring record this week. She’s 18 points away from surpassing Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record.

These instances have prompted some to call for court storming to be banned. Citing injuries and safety concerns for fans and players. A court storming at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena last January provides an example; for all to consider in this debate. Back on January 16th, Cincinnati’s Men’s Basketball team upset then No.19 TCU. Giving the Cincinnati Bearcats their first Big 12 Conference home win.

Unlike the other two court storming instances mentioned in this article. No TCU players or staff were reportedly hurt. Security did an adequate job of handling the situation. There’s another example involving the University of Cincinnati that schools can learn from. That example played out over 16 years ago in football.

In 2007, Cincinnati Football upset then No.7 Rutgers at Nippert Stadium. As the final seconds wound down in the game Cincinnati won 30-11. Stadium staff kept the fans that were already crowding onto part of the field from getting beyond the end zone. Along with bracing around a goal post to prevent fans from knocking it down themselves. Security helped Rutgers players and coaches get off of the field. Those actions likely spared fans, players and team staff from being seriously injured. As Bearcats fans celebrated one of the biggest wins in program history.

While I sympathize with the instinct to ban court or field storming. Ensuring court/field storming never happens again could be easier said than done. Cincinnati showcased that when there’s adequate security in place. Court or field storming can be managed in a safer manner. Compared to how last Saturday’s incident at Wake Forest played out.

Last Saturday’s incident might’ve played out differently if security put in a buffer zone. To allow for Duke players and staff to exit the court quickly and unharmed. While giving Wake Forest students and fans room to celebrate in a safer manner. Beyond having more robust security in place. Schools, conferences and associations like the NCAA can take on more robust measures to discourage court storming.

Several conferences fine schools in response to court storming. Yet, those fines vary significantly depending on the conference. According to analysis from ESPN, the Big East Conference issues a $5,000 fine to a school. While the Southeastern Conference can fine a school up to $500,000 for a third court storming incident. The Big 12 fined UCF $25,000 back in January. Due to fans storming the court after UCF Men’s Basketball upset then No.3 Kansas. Meanwhile, Cincinnati wasn’t fined for the court storming incident after beating TCU.

Some conferences, including Duke and Wake Forest’s Atlantic Coast Conference don’t issue court storming fines. Having a uniform strategy to discourage court storming would be helpful. Regardless of whether it comes through the NCAA or conferences agreeing to a uniform standard. A uniform strategy would also be a refreshing change. From the everyone for themselves mentality we so often see in college sports today.

The everyone for themselves mentality sometimes leads to a reactive posture. Instead of taking a proactive approach to an issue. By taking a proactive approach to prevent court storming incidents from producing injuries. Instead of merely reacting to an issue to look tough and save face. We can find a way to ensure fans can celebrate responsibly and respectfully.

There are other things institutions can do to discourage unruly fan behavior. Such as the disgraceful bottle-throwing incident that unfolded during Texas and Texas Tech’s Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday. Venues can do more to limit alcohol sales and banning unruly fans from games. Court and field storming has been a part of college sports for decades. Some view it as part of the mystique of college sports. By taking more robust measures to protect everyone. Colleges can help fans have fun and safely enjoy events.