Conference USA officials say the league will not take action following an incident involving a fan and players after the University of Texas at El Paso men’s basketball game Saturday against Jacksonville State.
The altercation happened after Jacksonville State defeated UTEP on a buzzer-beater, 64-61, in the regular-season finale.
As reported by local ABC affiliate KVIA, video from the game broadcast shows a fan in the stands grabbing a chair and shaking it toward Jacksonville State players and staff during the postgame handshake line while yelling toward the court.
Jax State players had to be restrained by staff members during the confrontation. At one point, both teams were directed toward their locker rooms by staff members.
Witnesses said there were several instances during the game, including a Jax State player making inappropriate gestures toward fans, and fans shouting toward the bench in response.
According to the game broadcast, exchanges between some UTEP fans and Jacksonville State players occurred throughout the game.
Conference USA said the situation remains under discussion with both schools, but the league office will not discipline anyone at this time.
"It is our understanding that UTEP's athletic department is taking action with their respective fans. While we are engaged in continued discussions with both schools, there will not be any action taken by the league office at this time."
“Following Saturday’s postgame incident, we have been conducting interviews with the individuals who were involved, plus observers and our security team," UTEP athletic director Jim Senter told KVIA in a statement Monday afternoon. "It is important that we get the full scope of what happened before drawing any conclusions. Based on our findings, we will take any disciplinary action internally, and we’ll also work to implement any policies and procedures that will ensure the safest environment possible for participating teams and spectators in the future.”
