Trees on the UMass Southwest concourse took a bit of a beating
All the advance work done by UMass officials paid off this evening as a large happy crowd did indeed gather in the open courtyards at the base of the Southwest towers to celebrate the Patriots Super Bowl victory, but no riot ensued.
UMPD and State PD mobilized about 10 minutes before the game ended
At peak the crowd numbered about 1,000 with dozens of police and media on the outskirts taking it all in. In fact the police seemed to almost disappear as the crowd started to grow into the hundreds.
A flock of hard to miss TV stations showed up
At no point did the police forcefully move into the crowd, although about a half-hour into the celebration one exuberant fan did fall head first about 4 feet from a tree he should not have been climbing.
About 15 minutes after the game ended
Police moved in to get him out of the crowd and into the Washington Dorm lobby to await AFD arrival.
Within an hour the crowd dissipated and many police were standing down.
Even an almost full moon did not bring on crowd madness
Best of all: A flag guy!
Thank you, UMass students.
ReplyDeleteWe love you.
Seriously.
So we finally have gotten past the Era of Gargano...
ReplyDeleteThe WGGB live shot indicated things were crazy and out of control
ReplyDelete(new young reporter- many of her stories are incorrect)
http://www.wggb.com/2015/02/01/umass-amherst-students-celebrate-pats-win/
The visitor ban proved to be a wise move. Good job UMass!
ReplyDeleteGo Umass!!!
ReplyDeleteSo perhaps these prior unfortunate incidents have been fueled by the previously invited guests, not students?
ReplyDeleteIf so, this is a good turn of events for UMass.
Yes it seems to have been the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteThe crowd was large enough and boisterous enough to qualify as a THING that kids can talk about for years to come (and grow with exaggeration); but for all intents and purposes, non-violent.
I'm so happy! Let's hope it becomes a pattern of non violent and non life threatening celebrations.
ReplyDeleteA model for Blarney Blowout policy.
ReplyDeleteWas the couch fire on Phillips St inside or outside the house (hard to know in Amherst)
ReplyDeleteThanks to good public policy and enforcement there was peace. Now we just need to implement this policy for all citizens in all homes during all sports games, given their generally violent nature.
ReplyDeleteI honestly cannot think of a legal reason that more than 4 people need to be together to watch sports (or do many other normal activities for that matter).
This should not just be temporary policy, it should be law for everyone, everywhere so we all get the benefits, not just students. Most violence in the US is as a result of too many people gathering and most of it does not involve students - we deserve equal status as students, especially as the population at large faces more violent incidents.
People need to understand that the police being at all/most public gatherings is not a bad thing (or in classrooms, in departments stores, county fairs, restaurants, etc.) At this point, it is really a necessity to avoid potential violence.
Oh! For a second there I tought you were serious. About sports being violent. And...your point is? One of the most non-violent Americans of the last century, Rev. King played football and basketball.
DeleteI believe the couch on Phillips Street was outside.
ReplyDeleteBut I got their pretty quick and it was already out.
As usual, the dumpster on Hobart Lane was also set on fire.
Will the guest ban be applied to the "Black" social events?
ReplyDeleteNot holding my breath.....
Ed, we know that's you. Disgusting.
ReplyDelete"Thanks to good public policy and enforcement there was peace."
ReplyDelete"Those who would sacrifice liberty for security neither deserve nor will enjoy either." Ben Franklin
"People need to understand that the police being at all/most public gatherings is not a bad thing"
"And who then guards the Guardians?"
Why, you do of course. I feel so much safer knowing you're out there bashing the police.
ReplyDelete