Sports

Auburn Students Reportedly Injured After Getting Trampled During College Basketball Stampede

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Auburn Basketball Students Stampede Injured Trampled College Gameday
© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Auburn is officially a college basketball school. Bruce Pearl has completely overhauled the program since his arrival in 2014 and the Tigers are currently ranked as the No. 1 team in the country.

They welcomed the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers to town on Saturday for what might be the biggest home game in school history.

As the entire college basketball world directs its attention to Alabama, ESPN brought its first on-campus broadcast of College Gameday to Auburn. Students showed up in mass to pack Neville Arena for the 10:00 a.m. start time and to receive a wristband for entry into the game at 7:30 p.m.

Unfortunately, the university failed its constituents. Its plan for entry into College Gameday immediately became a serious health concern.

Auburn needs to reevaluate its procedure for college basketball games.

Students started to lineup as early as 3:00 a.m. on Saturday to enter the arena at 8:00 a.m. There was a huge crowd gathered outside of the gates at 6:00 a.m. They were packed into what essentially served as a holding pen.

The floodgates officially opened for students to get in at 6:30, which resulted in a full-blown stampede.

Here is another look at how it went down:

It was total chaos.

Although nothing is confirmed by the university at this time, multiple students shared their concerns about the process on social media. The stampede reportedly resulted in multiple injuries.

Coconut Bra Guy is Auburn’s most famous fan.

He was not happy with how the university handled its procedures.

The university needs to hear this, and I hope I can use my platform for some good. But, this is the best way Auburn could’ve done a line if they wanted trampling, pushing, and chaos. Also the best way if they wanted a less passionate student section. Great job Auburn!

— @CSalt_13

Some students who were among the first in line were not admitted into the arena for College Gameday.

Thank you for posting this. I’ve been here since 3 am and towards the front of the line. I didn’t even get into the arena bc I didn’t trample the injured students on the ground in front of me like everyone else. The real Auburn family is stuck outside

— @LoganSmithAU / X

Others eventually got into the gym but not in time to receive a wristband for the game.

I was here at 4:30 in the morning and right in front of the barracades. Now 7:40 and im still nowhere near getting in despite being one of thr first ones here. Also nearly got killed. I was trampled.

— @notbrucepearl69 / X

Not everybody had a fair opportunity.

As somebody who truly LOVES Auburn basketball and has a disability that prevents me from running…

Auburn we must do better. It was a great idea to do wristbands for students to get them to gameday but not allowing camping or doing a ticketed system & causing a stampede… must improve

— @CFullman30 / X

Parents at home were concerned for the health of their children.

Now I’m worried about my son who was waiting in line since early this AM and I can’t get him on the phone […]

Just talked to him and he got left outside because of how people pushed and shoved and ran to cut in line. Also saw many people bleeding from being trampled. This is not okay. Auburn, you need to do better. You shouldn’t be risking the safety of our students.

— @Amy_Lissa / X

It was a dangerous scene.

My son was there, one of the first 100 in the line & said it was extremely dangerous. His entire group of 6 got separated, cops couldn’t control the situation, kids trampled, legs broken, & he didn’t even make it in. University officials need to make sure this never happens again

— @ElishaLehman / X

Students in need were able to receive medical treatment but they should not be put in that situation in the first place. Auburn needs to do better.