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After Notre Dame students were criticized for storming the pitch after Saturday’s anger with Clemson, athletic director Jack Swarbrick defended the school’s handling of the situation with regard to protecting children. players on the field.
Swarbrick spoke to the South Bend Tribune on Sunday and explained that the university had prepared for the big game by stepping up security by anticipating that the 11,000 students in attendance would likely storm the pitch if Notre Dame came to to win.
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“We had all kinds of measures in place for this game and the things we wanted to do, and I was really happy with those plans,” he said. “You have three possible outcomes. One is a loss. You hope it doesn’t happen, but you’re not facing a storm on the ground. One is a decisive victory and I think you can handle what’s going on. The other is a game, whether it’s a reversal, a two point conversion against Miami [sic] or a failure on the last play of a second overtime, it’s one where you know you’re facing the challenge of a rush to the pitch.
The latter scenario played out with the Fighting Irish beating the Tigers 47-40 in double overtime – marking Notre Dame’s first victory against a No.1-ranked team since 1993.
Social media erupted after the rush to the pitch, criticizing fans for crowding the pitch amid a pandemic, but Swarbrick defended the sports department’s response to the situation, saying the main goal was to protect the players and that’s exactly what happened.
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“In that context, we said, ‘This is what we need to do. We need to protect Clemson and make sure they don’t interact with our student body and allow them to get off the field. And I thought it went really well, ”Swarbrick said. “We deployed security from the tunnel entrance for them to their bench. They’ve been great to get into that line and go through it.
As for the Notre Dame players, Swarbrick said they were less successful in cleaning up the pitch, but attributed that to the historic victory.
“We encouraged them but in the emotion of the moment, we had little success with that. Some immediately went up the tunnel. Others ended up being engulfed by the crowd, celebrating with them, ”he said.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said after the game he warned his players about a possible rush on the pitch.
“With COVID as it is, we have to get out of the field and go to the tunnel,” he said. “Now I beat them all to the tunnel. So it didn’t go so well, but they reminded me that I told them that, so my prognosis skills were pretty good today. “
The President of Notre Dame, the Reverend John Jenkins, issued a letter follow the game to inform students of new policies to avoid further spread.
“As exciting as last night’s win over Clemson was, it was very disappointing to see evidence of a widespread disregard for our health protocols at many rallies over the weekend,” Jenkins wrote, apparently saying reference to post-match celebrations.
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Students will have to take the compulsory tests before returning home or their registration for the following semester will be postponed at home. They will also not be allowed to leave the “South Bend area” until their results return.
Jenkins also cautioned against a “zero tolerance” policy for on or off campus gatherings. Violators will be subject to “severe penalties”.
Notre Dame saw an increase in the number of cases last week, which sparked concern after Saturday’s game. There were 38 positive cases reported on Tuesday, 71 Wednesday, 29 Thursday and 17 Friday.
Critics say this insensitive celebration could easily have jeopardized the season for both teams.
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