UConn Takes Proactive Measures to Safeguard Against Vandalism During Title Celebrations

On Monday, the University of Connecticut implemented measures aimed at averting a recurrence of the violence and destruction that tainted the festivities around the school’s 2023 NCAA men’s basketball championship.

The school temporarily installed recessed lights in lieu of the metal light posts along Hillside Road, the primary route through the heart of campus, in preparation for the Final Four.

The size of the campus viewing party for Monday’s championship game against Purdue has also been restricted by the institution. A lottery was used to secure the 6,700 tickets that the students will need to enter Gampel Pavilion for the event. They will all be seated in the upper bowl of the 10,000-seat arena.

According to school spokesman Mike Enright, unlike last year, alcohol will not be sold during the event and the general public will not be permitted entry inside the arena.

Following the Huskies’ victory over San Diego State in April of last year, celebrationers smashed windows, overturned cars, and even rammed a door at the student union using a light post. As a result, 39 people were taken into custody.

Many of the rioters also received disciplinary action from the school, which ultimately resulted in the expulsion of six students, several of whom were in their last semester before they were set to graduate, according to Enright.

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.”

In addition, Enright said, university, state, and municipal police have been working together to guarantee “an elevated safety presence.” He added that the campus is equipped with a large number of video cameras to aid law enforcement in identifying potential issues and their perpetrators.

Enright noted that no significant issues were reported on campus either night, and that comparable safety measures were implemented for watch parties during the men’s and women’s Final Four games on Friday and Saturday.

“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.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.