The bizarre scene in which a man walked onto the court at Pittsburgh’s UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse during a game between Loyola Chicago and Duquesne on Wednesday has been exposed as a likely prank.
The incident occurred early in the second half between the Ramblers and Dukes, with the unnamed individual walking onto the court and within a foot of Loyola forward Philip Alston in the corner. Play wasn’t stopped until after the Ramblers’ possession, which ended in a turnover.
The would-be food delivery person was escorted off the court, but was allowed to reenter the stands without any further issue. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette even reported he “united with a customer” there while the game played out to its conclusion: a 72-58 Duquesne win.
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However, additional footage of the incident provided by an assistant director from Loyola indicates the scene was a prank. The video and insight comes from Austin Hansen, who is in charge of content development and broadcast operations.
Hansen surmised the incident was a stunt, as the man not only was wearing a wire underneath his jacket — suggesting he was attempting to capture audio — but also was being recorded by numerous students in the stands.
Here’s a screenshot of Hansen’s video in which the lavalier mic is clearly seen under his yellow jacket:
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In retrospect, with some helpful insight from Hansen, it makes more sense the delivery was a prank as opposed to an issue of laughable incompetence.
Update: Duquesne university has confirmed the incident was part of a prank in a statement released to Jenna Harner of Pittsburgh TV station WPXI:
Hansen also issued a warning to any copycats who might take inspiration from the prank, as well:
