The globe on the lawn at Westfield State University is seen through the celebrating crowd after the Patriots won SuperBowl LI Sunday Feb. 5, 2017 (photo by Peter Currier)
by Peter Currier, intern WSU ’17
WESTFIELD – The biggest comeback in Super Bowl history led to a large student gathering on the Westfield State University campus after the New England Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 Sunday night.
Hundreds of students gathered around the campus globe after the Patriots scored the game winning touchdown in overtime. The globe, which was replaced after being damaged after the previous Patriots Super Bowl win in 2015, remained standing by the time the crowd dispersed.
Students were chanting, hugging, and waving flags in celebration of the Pats victory.
Campus police donning riot gear, armed with batons and zip ties were deployed several minutes after the crowd gathered once bottles, snowballs, and beer cans started flying. They continuously pushed students back from the globe when they got too close. At least two students were arrested.
Captain Foyle of the Public Safety office said they had every officer on campus prepared for the post game riot. “We were ready for everything,” he said.
The campus EMS club was on standby. One student was treated for a bloody nose, another student was given an alcohol evaluation according to student EMT Brandon Rainaud. No serious injuries were reported.
One Massachusetts State Police officer was on the scene.
