ATHENS, Ga. — The Georgia Bulldogs proved that a postgame celebration could be orderly yet exuberant after their thrilling 88-83 victory over No. 3 Florida in Athens. Fans were instructed by the Stegeman Coliseum public address announcer to remain in their seats for 90 seconds following the game to allow Florida players and officials to leave the court safely. This message, conveyed during the last-minute timeouts, assured fans they would be allowed onto the court soon thereafter to join the celebration.
To the surprise of many, the fans adhered to these instructions, even though the victory came against one of the Bulldogs’ fiercest rivals and ended Florida’s dominant run of 12 consecutive wins in the series. The win was more than just personal for Georgia; it also bolstered their aspirations for the NCAA Tournament.
During those 90 seconds, players and team officials took to the court, celebrating briefly amidst the roars of fans who filled up the aisles, eagerly awaiting their moment. True to their word, officials allowed the crowd onto the court once the countdown ended, leading to a euphoric celebration by fans who flocked to the hardwood.
Many of the 10,066 attendees stayed on the court for several minutes, reveling in Georgia’s first win over Florida in the series since March 2019. Whether this organized chaos will affect potential fines from the Southeastern Conference remains undisclosed. The usual first offense penalty is set at $100,000 when fans flood the field or court after games.
Georgia coach Mike White expressed his surprise at the planned measure, noting, “I wasn’t aware of the arrangement beforehand. I leave such matters to administration. I’m sure this is a memory our players will cherish forever.” Freshman Asa Newell acknowledged the backing from fans, stating, “We appreciate their support, but we need to keep them in the stands for safety.”
