Spring Break
Rioting makes UConn students look immature
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Commentary
With tomorrow's men's basketball game against Michigan State and a potential national championship game slated for Monday night (not to mention the upcoming women's Final Four), all eyes across the nation will be fixated on UConn, perhaps moreso than any other school in the Final Four.
Allegations of a major recruiting scandal, coupled with Calhoun's rant against a reporter, have made UConn men's basketball a lightning rod for criticism and outrage this season.
Now, the public will look to the UConn student body to see how we react in the wake of our basketball teams' success. Specifically, members of the public will be watching to see if students can contain their excitement and behavior to a reasonable and appropriate level (particularly in the event of a national championship victory Monday night). Following past basketball championships, students here in Storrs have burned couches and rioted, much to the dismay of police and Connecticut taxpayers.
This season, Calhoun has given the media and the public plenty of reasons to root against UConn. His star recruit, Nate Miles, was a disaster from the moment he set foot in Storrs. Now, as Yahoo! Sports reported last week, it appears that Calhoun and his staff grossly violated recruiting rules in order to get Nate Miles. Factor in Calhoun's rant about how he refused to "give a dime back," and you have a legitimate list of reasons for the public to hate UConn.
Now, the student body has an excellent opportunity to defy public expectations. By behaving responsibly (win or lose) after the Final Four, UConn students have an opportunity to impress the public with the caliber of students here in Storrs. On the other hand, a riot or otherwise unruly public demonstration would be just another reason for UConn outsiders to make disparaging comments about our university.
There is another reason that exemplary behavior this weekend and next week would be wise of UConn students: the future of Spring Weekend may depend upon it. The UConn police and administration have been waiting for an excuse to clamp down on Spring Weekend. Any riotous behavior this weekend will be playing into their hands and giving them exactly what they want: an excuse to shut down UConn's most exciting weekend of the year. The UConn student body has an excellent opportunity to impress the UConn administration and the public at large by behaving reasonably after the Final Four.
Allegations of a major recruiting scandal, coupled with Calhoun's rant against a reporter, have made UConn men's basketball a lightning rod for criticism and outrage this season.
Now, the public will look to the UConn student body to see how we react in the wake of our basketball teams' success. Specifically, members of the public will be watching to see if students can contain their excitement and behavior to a reasonable and appropriate level (particularly in the event of a national championship victory Monday night). Following past basketball championships, students here in Storrs have burned couches and rioted, much to the dismay of police and Connecticut taxpayers.
This season, Calhoun has given the media and the public plenty of reasons to root against UConn. His star recruit, Nate Miles, was a disaster from the moment he set foot in Storrs. Now, as Yahoo! Sports reported last week, it appears that Calhoun and his staff grossly violated recruiting rules in order to get Nate Miles. Factor in Calhoun's rant about how he refused to "give a dime back," and you have a legitimate list of reasons for the public to hate UConn.
Now, the student body has an excellent opportunity to defy public expectations. By behaving responsibly (win or lose) after the Final Four, UConn students have an opportunity to impress the public with the caliber of students here in Storrs. On the other hand, a riot or otherwise unruly public demonstration would be just another reason for UConn outsiders to make disparaging comments about our university.
There is another reason that exemplary behavior this weekend and next week would be wise of UConn students: the future of Spring Weekend may depend upon it. The UConn police and administration have been waiting for an excuse to clamp down on Spring Weekend. Any riotous behavior this weekend will be playing into their hands and giving them exactly what they want: an excuse to shut down UConn's most exciting weekend of the year. The UConn student body has an excellent opportunity to impress the UConn administration and the public at large by behaving reasonably after the Final Four.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Johnny
posted 4/03/09 @ 12:06 PM EST
riots are not only caused by wild fans..but also the lack of proper police/control force. 2004 was a perfect example.
all of the police were on campus around gampel. (Continued…)
Spartan Green
posted 4/04/09 @ 10:50 PM EST
Too bad you lost.
Go Green!!!
posted 4/05/09 @ 7:17 PM EST
Now doesn't this seem a bit silly? Why would people riot because their team lost? Go Green! Go White! No problem handling teams from the Big Least.
Jules
posted 4/06/09 @ 1:50 PM EST
Thank you, Chris, for stating exactly what I planned on posting. MSU was the first school I ever remember for having massive riots after a basketball game. (Continued…)
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