University, prankster share embarrassment in Duquesne viral video incident

Well, it looks like we have our answer.

The man who went viral for walking on the court of a college basketball game with a food delivery order was nothing more than a prank.

Earlier this week, a person wandered onto the court during a men’s basketball game between Duquesne and Loyola. The man appeared to be an Uber Eats delivery person carrying an order from McDonald’s. The person walked on the court inches from two players with the ball. A ref tried to shoo the delivery person away before stopping play.

Video from the incident sent the internet ablaze and left many with questions, such as how the person got in without a ticket and how they made it to the court. It turns out it was just a prank.

The university released a statement about the incident to various media outlets including WTAE Pittsburgh. It read:

"As you would probably expect, we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for guests and participants at all events on our campus. We also rely on common courtesy and the civility of those in attendance to adhere to the guidelines that are in place.

"This was a prank, planned in advance, done for internet exposure. We determined that the individual was wearing a mic while someone filmed him as he walked on to the court during active play. While the incident may have seemed funny at the time, and no harm was done, we are mindful that incidents like this can put players and officials at risk.

"The university has reviewed its safety protocols and tightened its security measures to ensure conditions for our players and fans are safe and meet the standards for the highest level of competition in college basketball."

The person involved has not been named and officials have not said whether he will face criminal charges. The prank certainly delivered the person’s “15 minutes of fame,” but it was just dumb. It risked player safety if someone ran into him. It also hurt the game by stopping the play in the middle of the action.

For some young adults, the world is nothing more than a game of “Look at me!” and “how can I get attention.” That certainly appears to be the case here.

There is also the Duquesne side of this fiasco. In many stadiums, a fan can hardly move closer without being harassed by an usher or security. But not at Duquesne. Apparently, a prankster can make it to the court without being stopped. The university said it would review its measures, which is an understatement.

Like the prankster, the university shares the embarrassment in this stupid incident.