The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 29, 2025
Today: March 29, 2025

Georgia fans show it's possible to be polite and still celebrate win over No. 3 Florida on the court

APTOPIX Florida Georgia Basketball
February 26, 2025

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia fans showed it's possible to storm the court for a postgame celebration — and to be polite at the same time.

The Stegeman Coliseum public address announcer made repeated requests in the final minute of Georgia's 88-83 upset of No. 3 Florida to wait 90 seconds after the game and give the Gators and officials time to leave the court. The message, delivered during late timeouts, included the addendum that fans then would be welcome to celebrate on the court.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was fans followed the instructions, even though the win over Florida, one of Georgia's biggest rivals, ended the Gators' streak of 12 consecutive wins in the series while also providing the Bulldogs with an important boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes.

Georgia fans show it's possible to be polite and still celebrate win over No. 3 Florida on the court
APTOPIX Florida Georgia Basketball

Players and team officials celebrated on the court for about a minute while fans began filling the aisles, waiting for the go-ahead to rush onto the court. Then, just as the public address announcer promised, the fans were then given full access to rush onto the court.

Many in the crowd of 10,066 remained on the court for several minutes, celebrating Georgia's first win in the series since March 2, 2019.

There was no immediate word if the unusual postgame order would have any impact on normal fines from the Southeastern Conference to schools for having fans rushing onto the playing field or court following games. The first offense carries a fine of $100,000.

Georgia coach Mike White said he was not involved in any plan before the game to ask fans to wait 90 seconds to celebrate on the court.

Georgia fans show it's possible to be polite and still celebrate win over No. 3 Florida on the court
Florida Georgia Basketball

“I didn't know it was coming,” White said. “I leave that to our administration. ... I'm sure our players will remember that for the rest of their lives.”

Georgia freshman Asa Newell said he appreciated the fans' support but added, “We've got to keep the fans in the stands.”

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Related Articles

Rory McIlroy takes fan’s phone after being heckled by college golfer at Players Championship Rory McIlroy mum on video of him taking phone from University of Texas player heckling him Tennis star Jessica Pegula flies fellow players from Texas to California in private jet A Florida Gator took on a Florida gator. Billy Horschel prevailed in the matchup at PGA National
Share This

Popular

Education|Health|Political|Sports|US

Juggling advocacy with schoolwork, 2 New Hampshire transgender girls fight to play team sports

Juggling advocacy with schoolwork, 2 New Hampshire transgender girls fight to play team sports
Celebrity|Entertainment|Sports|US

Bling, bling: Dodgers show off glittering World Series rings in pregame ceremony

Bling, bling: Dodgers show off glittering World Series rings in pregame ceremony
Australia|Political|Sports|World

Welcome Down Under: Russian-born Daria Kasatkina becomes an Australian citizen

Welcome Down Under: Russian-born Daria Kasatkina becomes an Australian citizen
Sports|US

Tennessee is heading back to the Elite Eight as defense clamps down in 78-65 win over Kentucky

Tennessee is heading back to the Elite Eight as defense clamps down in 78-65 win over Kentucky

Sports

Sports

Morrow, Williams and LSU return to Elite Eight with 80-73 March Madness win over N.C. State

Morrow, Williams and LSU return to Elite Eight with 80-73 March Madness win over N.C. State
Sports

Lilia Vu has another bogey-free day and leads a pack of LPGA stars in Arizona

Lilia Vu has another bogey-free day and leads a pack of LPGA stars in Arizona
Sports|US

Pistons beat East-leading Cavaliers 133-122 and lock down 1st winning season since 2016

Pistons beat East-leading Cavaliers 133-122 and lock down 1st winning season since 2016
Sports

Juan Soto slugs first homer for New York Mets against Astros

Juan Soto slugs first homer for New York Mets against Astros

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In