Incident Overview
LINCOLN, Nebraska — Following a recent game where tensions ran high, Nebraska’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg addressed an incident involving a court-storming fan from Iowa that has garnered significant attention on social media. The interaction, which occurred after the Cornhuskers suffered a narrow defeat to the Hawkeyes, saw Hoiberg make a sweeping gesture towards an individual who was filming him during the post-game handshake. This action inadvertently involved an Iowa staff member, who was struck in the process.
Health Concerns
Hoiberg, who relies entirely on a pacemaker for his heart health, explained that his reaction was prompted by concerns over the potential interference from mobile phones with his medical device.
“I need my pacemaker to function properly; if something goes wrong, I’m in serious danger,”
he emphasized. His awareness of this risk made him instinctively recoil when approached closely by someone with a camera.
While Hoiberg recognized that the possibility of disruption from a cell phone was minimal, he reflected on his past health challenges, including a previous heart condition. In that context, he expressed disapproval of situations that could put players and coaches in jeopardy during chaotic moments like court storms.
Reactions and Apologies
“It was an intense situation,” mentioned Hoiberg.
“After a tough loss, trying to congratulate Iowa on their victory, this fan suddenly rushed at me, and I reacted. I believe anyone in my shoes would have done the same.”
After the incident, Hoiberg promptly apologized to the impacted Iowa staff member, who reportedly understood the circumstances and reciprocated with goodwill. Iowa’s athletics department subsequently issued a statement, acknowledging the event and promising to assess their security protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“We regret this incident and will review our security measures to ensure the safety of everyone involved in our events,”
the statement read. Hoiberg commended Iowa for their response, viewing it as an opportunity for improvement.
Looking Ahead
As Nebraska prepares to face Penn State on Saturday, coach Hoiberg’s focus remains on his team’s performance and safety within the competitive landscape of college basketball.
