Wall to stop field rushers

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=13143280

New wall at Arizona Stadium aims to corral Zona Zoo fans
Posted: Sep 13, 2010 10:51 AM EDT
By David Gonzalez

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - University of Arizona students sitting in the Zona Zoo section at Arizona Stadium will face a new obstacle if they try to rush the field.

A massive concrete wall runs the full length of the field on the eastside of the stadium.

It is 140 yards and seven feet tall.

The wall was built after last year's heart-breaking lost to the Oregon Ducks where Zona Zoo fans prematurely rushed the field in celebration.

Suzy Mason, Associate Athletic Director for Events and Operations, says the new barrier is meant to enhance the safety and security of the stadium.

"I hope it's a deterrent to the field rushes," Mason says. "I hope those are a thing of the past because it was really getting unsafe.

"When you have that many students crushing towards the field, it's difficult to manage," she adds.

The wall will cost Arizona Athletics $140,000.

Students like Drew Jennison say rushing the field after an exciting game is part of being a student.

"It's going to slow them down but if they really want to rush the field, they're going to rush the field," Jennison says. "I mean if that means vaulting over it and dropping seven feet so be it."

Katherine West, a student who was at last year's lost Oregon game says, "it's kind of disappointing because rushing the field is so fun after a big win.

She did learn one lesson from last lost against the Ducks, "the game's not over until the clock hits zero."

Jennison agrees, "once the final whistle is blown, then rush the field, tear down the goal post but not until the final whistle."