Current:Home > StocksUConn takes precautions to prevent a repeat of the vandalism that followed the 2023 title game-InfoLens
UConn takes precautions to prevent a repeat of the vandalism that followed the 2023 title game
View Date:2024-12-23 16:23:20
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Precautions were in place Monday at the University of Connecticut designed to prevent a repeat of the violence and vandalism that marred the celebrations of the school’s 2023 NCAA men’s basketball championship.
In advance of the Final Four, the school removed the aluminum light posts along Hillside Road, the main thoroughfare through the center of campus, and replaced them with temporary, recessed lighting.
The school also has limited the size of the campus watch party planned for Monday’s title game against Purdue. Only 6,700 students, all of whom won tickets to the event through a lottery, will be allowed inside Gampel Pavilion for the event, and they all will be seated in the upper bowl of the 10,000-seat arena.
Unlike last year, the general public will not be allowed into the arena and no alcohol will be sold during the event, school spokesman Mike Enright said.
A total of 39 people were arrested after celebrants broke windows, overturned vehicles and even used a light post to ram a door at the student union following the Huskies’ win over San Diego State last April.
Many of those involved in the rioting also faced discipline from the school, which ended up expelling six students, including more than one in their final semester before they would have graduated, Enright said.
Sixteen people were injured, none of them seriously, Enright said.
“We felt that the large number of people at Gampel last year might have contributed to the actions that followed on campus,” he said. “We’re trying to spread the celebrations out a little bit.”
University, state and local police have also been coordinating to make sure there is “an increased safety presence,” Enright said. He also noted that there are numerous video cameras on campus to help police identify any problems and those responsible for them.
Enright said similar precautions were taken for watch parties during both the men’s and women’s Final Four games on Friday and Saturday night and no major problems were reported on campus either night.
“Overall, the students are very well behaved,” Enright said. “And Saturday night they were exceptional during the semifinal against Alabama and on Friday for the women’s game as well.”
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
veryGood! (51)
Related
- Does your dog have arthritis? A lot of them do. But treatment can be tricky
- North Carolina farms were properly approved to collect energy from hog waste, court says
- Bridgeport mayor says supporters broke law by mishandling ballots but he had nothing to do with it
- House explodes as police in Arlington, Virginia, try to execute search warrant, officials say
- How Jersey Shore's Sammi Sweetheart Giancola's Fiancé Justin May Supports Her on IVF Journey
- New Orleans marsh fire blamed for highway crashes and foul smell is out after burning for weeks
- Missed student loan payments during 'on-ramp' may still hurt your credit score. Here's why
- Las Vegas teen arrested after he threatened 'lone wolf' terrorist attack, police say
- Beyoncé nominated for album of the year at Grammys — again. Will she finally win?
- New Mexico governor proposes $500M to treat fracking wastewater
Ranking
- New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
- Adam Johnson Death: International Ice Hockey Federation Announces Safety Mandate After Tragedy
- Man killed wife, daughters and brother before killing himself in Washington: Authorities
- Missouri’s next education department chief will be a Republican senator with roots in the classroom
- TikToker Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Jett Puckett
- How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate and what to look for
- Patients expected Profemur artificial hips to last. Then they snapped in half.
- At least 16 dead and 12 injured as passenger bus falls off ravine in central Philippines
Recommendation
-
Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
-
Maduro orders the ‘immediate’ exploitation of oil, gas and mines in Guyana’s Essequibo
-
In a rare action against Israel, US says extremist West Bank settlers will be barred from America
-
Where did all the veterinarians go? Shortage in Kentucky impacts pet owners and farmers
-
MVSU football player killed, driver injured in crash after police chase
-
James Cameron on Ridley Scott's genius, plant-based diets and reissuing 6 of his top films
-
Rose Previte, of D.C.'s Michelin star restaurant Maydān, releases her debut cookbook
-
Senate confirms hundreds of military promotions after Tuberville drops hold