Conference USA will not take any disciplinary action after a UTEP fan grabbed a chair and waved it toward Jacksonville State players and staffers in a fiery postgame exchange on Saturday, a league spokesperson told ESPN on Monday.
“It is our understanding that UTEP’s athletic department is taking action with their respective fans,” Josh Yonis, Conference USA’s assistant commissioner in strategic communications, told ESPN. “While we are engaged in continued discussions with both schools, there will not be any action taken by the league office at this time.”
Jacksonville State won at UTEP, 64-61, on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Mostapha El Moutaouakkil on Saturday. As players celebrated in the handshake line, an infuriated UTEP fan yelled at them, grabbed a chair and appeared to thrust it toward them before he was stopped by those around him. Local police and arena security held Jacksonville State players and UTEP fans back as they went back and forth after the game, which was the regular-season finale for both teams.
UTEP is still investigating the incident and intends to take “disciplinary” action if warranted, according to a statement from the school.
“Following Saturday’s postgame incident, we have been conducting interviews with the individuals who were involved, plus observers and our security team,” Jim Senter, UTEP’s athletic director, said in a statement. “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.”
A school spokesperson said the UTEP fan who grabbed the chair is not affiliated with the school in any official capacity.
“He is not a UTEP employee,” Mark Brunner, UTEP school spokesperson, said. “We will not be commenting further.”
It wasn’t the first time this season that a UTEP handshake line ended in drama.
UTEP head coach Joe Golding pushed New Mexico State head coach Jason Hooten aside after they exchanged words following a game last month. A public address announcer called for security as both teams converged and a fight nearly ensued.
